Heritage Grove Loop, Sam McDonald Park

Whether you’re approaching from the East or West, the shortest route to Sam McDonald County Park is on CA-84. Turn onto Pescadero Creek Road just south of La Honda, and you’ll reach the park after just a couple more miles.

Leave your car at the ample parking lot deep in the redwood forest and head for Towne Trail.

Towne Trail is a winding woodland trail which begins by crossing the highway before leading upward in a southwesterly direction. Follow the wide trail up the hill towards the summit, breaking out of the cover of the trees at around 1,000 foot above sea level.

Upon arriving in the direct sunlight, unprotected by the forest, bear left then right and head up the hill along the road.

Although most of this hike is shaded from the sky, you’ll have to brave the elements for around three quarters of a mile before ducking back into the shade. The payoff is that you’ll get some great sweeping views across open expanses of the Santa Cruz mountain range, plus an occasional peek-a-boo view of the ocean.

When we were last here, the nearby park interpretation sign-board was home to a small colony of bats, doing their best to catch some zzz’s despite the attention of curious hikers. Leave us a comment and let us know if they’re still hanging out up there!

Stick to the ridgeline route and enjoy the great views while they last, before we return to the forest and head for the old-growth redwoods.

At this junction we bear left towards the old-growth redwoods, but the more curious hiker will want to take a little detour along the other path to check out the Sierra Club Hikers Hut just up the trail.

Taking the left turn back into woodland and heading downhill, we’re now making our way along the Heritage Grove Trail.

Owned by the Sierra Club, the Hiker’s Hut is available to rent as an overnight adventure surrounded by nature. The hut holds up to 14 people, and according to the Sierra Club, “youth and family groups are especially welcome”.

Three quarters of a mile down the hill we reach this junction. Be sure to make the short out-and-back trip to Heritage Grove to marvel at the giant redwood trees before taking the westerly route back to the trailhead.

The return leg of this hike consists of a very pleasant - and very flat - trail for the remaining two mile journey.

Saved from logging by local concerned citizens, these large redwoods which collect to for Heritage Grove used to flourish throughout much of North America’s Pacific coast.

Old growth redwood trees can live for two to three and a half thousand years, and in the the right conditions will grow to over 300 ft in height. The tallest tree on record is the 379ft monster known as Hyperion located in Redwood National State Park.

Keep right at this junction and return to the parking lot.

Folk less inclined to trek four-and-a-half miles can still experience Heritage Grove, by parking here alongside Alpine Road and taking a very short walk.