Windemere Ridge Trail
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Windemere Ridge Trail offers a beautiful, paved, and easy hiking experience that is specifically called out as 'kid friendly'. It features extensive scenic views of the entire Dougherty Valley, rolling hills, and even local housing communities, with a notable 200ft elevation change making it also suitable for running.
Key Highlights
- ✓Paved, easy-to-navigate trail perfect for families with children.
- ✓Offers significant scenic value with panoramic views of Dougherty Valley and rolling hills.
- ✓Features a 200ft elevation change, providing a moderate workout or running opportunity.
- ✓Unique wildlife interaction potential: expect to encounter cows due to cattle grazing areas.
Standout Features
- ⭐Fully paved trail surface, offering a smooth experience for walking, running, or strollers.
- ⭐Sweeping panoramic views of the entire Dougherty Valley.
- ⭐Defined 200ft elevation change for those seeking a more engaging physical activity.
- ⭐The unique experience of being in a cattle grazing area and seeing cows.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Prepare for windy conditions; bring appropriate layers.
- →Be aware that the trail is in a cattle grazing area, so expect to see cows. Teach children to respect wildlife space.
- →Exercise caution and supervise children closely, especially in spring, due to reported coyote sightings.
- →Do NOT rely solely on standard directions that might lead to a locked fence. Consider parking 'further up to Limerick Park' as an alternative access point for a concrete bike trail behind a residential area.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Parking is consistently reported as 'not convenient' at primary access points.
- ⚠Can be 'super windy' at times, which might impact comfort for younger children.
- ⚠Potential for encountering coyotes, particularly during the spring season, requiring vigilance.
- ⚠Reported access issues: one user experienced misleading directions leading to a locked fence, preventing access to the described 'small ridge' and gravel trail, resulting in a wasted trip.
Price & Value
No entry fees or specific costs are mentioned in the reviews, suggesting it is a free public trail. The value lies in its accessibility (paved), scenic beauty, and opportunities for exercise without cost.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •The 'paved trail' makes it suitable for strollers and potentially wheelchairs, though the '200ft elevation change' should be considered.
- •No specific accommodations for special needs are mentioned beyond the paved surface.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •As a public outdoor trail, it's assumed outside food and beverages are permitted for personal consumption. No specific rules are mentioned.
🚗Parking Info
- •Parking is 'not convenient' at typical access points.
- •An alternative suggestion is to park 'further up to Limerick Park' to access a concrete bike trail.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Not mentioned in the provided reviews.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Users are advised to be aware of encountering cows (cattle grazing area) and coyotes (especially in spring). No formal safety features like staff patrols or emergency services are mentioned.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Relying on potentially outdated directions for parking and access; verify entry points beforehand.
- • Visiting if strong winds bother your children or if you are not prepared for them.
- • If you have a strong aversion or fear of cows or potential wildlife encounters (coyotes).
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
swat v
a year agoBeautiful hike, kid friendly!! You get to see housing communities and also the lovely rolling hills. It was super windy when we went but we still enjoyed it
Denis Ontumi
4 years agoBeautiful paved trail, very scenic, easy hike and great for kids. Parking is not convinient
Andrew Anderson
6 years agoAwesome place to run with a nice elevation change of about 200ft.
Ganesan Harihara
6 years agoPaved trail with nice view of entire Dougherty Valley. Please note that this trail is in a cattle grazing area. So, you'll most likely encounter cows on the way. I've also spotted Coyotes many times in the spring season.
Margaret Molloy
7 years agoNot recommended. Do not park where the directions tell you. Park further up to Limerick Park, hard concrete bike tail, behind residential area. Took the small bridge to what was described gravel trail, to a locked fence. By the look of the cobwebs, it hasn't been unlocked in a while...no other access to the small ridge. Waste of time.
Contact Information
E Branch Pkwy, San Ramon, CA 94582, USA
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