TRAIL DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Easy Moderate Difficult
Detailed directions and information for
these trails and many more are available
on the Bear Yuba Land Trust website
(bylt.org) and the Truckee-Donner Land
Trust website (tdlandtrust.org) unless otherwise indicated.
A WALK IN THE PARKS
Nevada County is rich in historic state parks.
TRUCKEE AREA
Donner State Park: 2.5 miles of trails around the
lake and through areas of park.
GRASS VALLEY/NEVADA CITY AREA
Buttermilk Bend Trail: Wildflowers, riverviews, river
access. southyubariverstatepark.org
Empire Mine Trails: 14 miles of scenic trails.
Historic buildings, mining machinery, gold mining points
of interest.
Diggins Loop Trail: 2.78 miles. (no dogs/bikes).
malakoffdigginsstatepark.org
Humbug Trail: 2.72 miles one way to river. Uphill
return. malakoffdigginsstatepark.org
STEEPED IN HISTORY
GRASS VALLEY/NEVADA CITY AREA
Buttermilk Bend Trail: 2.5 mile. Wildflowers,
riverviews, river access. southyubariverstatepark.org
Deer Creek Tribute Trail: .4 mile to 8.6 miles, depending upon entry point.
Deer Creek Environs Trails: 1.5 mile loop.
Empire Mine Trails: 14 total miles of trails. Historic
buildings, mining machinery, gold mining points of
interest.
Hirschman Trail: 2.4 miles. Pond, oak woodlands,
pines, grasslands.
Independence Trail West: 2.5 miles (each way).
Wheelchair accessible 1.5 miles. Mining history. River
access. southyubariverstatepark.org
Independence Trail East: 2.2 miles (each way).
Wheelchair accessible 1.5 miles.
southyubariverstatepark.org
TRUCKEE AREA
Donner Summit Canyon Trail: 6-mile loop follows
original Dutch Flat/Donner Lake wagon road. Petroglyphs,
history, views.
Lacey Valley Trail: 3 miles one way from TDLT Lacey
Meadows parking area. Wildflowers, birds.
Loney Meadow Interpretive Trail: 1 mile loop.
Wildflower viewing, great birding.
Sagehen Creek Trail: 5 miles round trip. Tahoe
National Forest north of Truckee.
HORSING AROUND
GRASS VALLEY/NEVADA CITY AREA
Empire Mine Trails: empiremine.org/trails
Pioneer Trail: 25-miles. Several trail heads. outstanding views. Popular for hiking and mountain biking
also.
TRUCKEE AREA
Donner Lake Rim Trail: 11 miles completed (23 miles
upon completion).
BIRD WALKS
TRUCKEE AREA
Lacey Valley Trail: 3 miles one way from Lacey
TRUCKEE AREA
Frog Lake Overlook Trail: 5.8 miles round trip.
1581 ft. elevation gain. onthesummit.net
Hike to Coldstream Meadow: (from Mt. Lola trailhead.) 3 miles one way.
GRASS VALLEY/NEVADA CITY
AREA
Sierra Discovery Trail: 1 mile
loop, Flat. Restrooms, information
kiosks, water, small picnic area.
Rock Creek Nature Trail: 1 mile
loop along Rock Creek. Restrooms,
water, small picnic area.
Omega Diggings Overlook Trail.
0.3 mile loop. Omega Rest Area, Hwy
20, 18 miles east of Nevada City.
TRUCKEE AREA
Glacier Meadow Loop Interpretive Trail: .5 mile loop.
Pacific Crest Trail parking area near Boreal Ski Area
Perazzo Meadows Interpretive Trail. 1 mile loop.
Flat, often shady and cool walks along the
historic canals.
GRASS VALLEY/NEVADA CITY AREA
Cascade Canal Trail: 4.5 miles one way. Best access
from Gracie Road parking area, Nevada City. Shady, level.
Kenny Ranch/Wildflower Ridge Trail: Full loop
Hirschdale exit off Interstate 80 east of Truckee
Loney Meadow Interpretive Trail. 1 mile loop.
Wildflower viewing, great birding, flat.
Wildflowers, birds.
INTO THE WILD
For the more adventurous who want to escape to a
more pristine environment with spectacular terrain.
GRASS VALLEY/NEVADA CITY AREA
2.6 miles.
Blue Lake Trail: 1.5 miles. Begins at Rucker Lake,
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
Round Lake Trail: 2.25 miles. Begins at Carr-Feeley
These trails provide decent access roads, close parking, relatively flat dirt/paved trails and views of the
meadows or rivers/creeks with little work required.
GRASS VALLEY/NEVADA CITY AREA
Independence Trail West & East: Wheelchair accessi-
ble (dry months) from the trailhead 1.5 miles each way
from trailhead.
Hirschman Trail: 2.4 miles. Eastern 0.4 mile is constructed to ADA standards. Historic.
TRUCKEE AREA
Truckee River Legacy Trail: Paved, steep hill near end
of trail.
Lacey Meadows/Webber Lake: 3 miles one way from
TDLT Lacey Meadows parking area. Wildflowers, birds.
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Easy, pleasant walks in or very close to the towns.
GRASS VALLEY/NEVADA CITY AREA
Hirschman Trail: 2.4 miles. Pond, oak woodlands,
miles.
KID FRIENDLY/SHORT &
SWEET
CANAL TRAILS
GRASS VALLEY/NEVADA CITY AREA
Kenny Ranch/Wildflower Ridge Trail: Full loop 2.6
one way. Paved, river views.
Boca Townsite Interpretive Trail: .5 mile loop.
STOP AND SMELL THE WILDFLOWERS
riverviews, river access. southyubariverstatepark.org
Truckee River Legacy Trail: 5 miles
Meadows parking area. 100 species of birds.
Loney Meadow Interpretive Trail: 1 mile loop.
Wildflower viewing, great birding.
Deer Creek Tribute Trail: .4 mile to 8.6 miles, depend-
Buttermilk Bend Trail: 2.5 miles. Spring wildflowers,
TRUCKEE AREA
RECREATION
ing upon entry point. Nevada City.
pines, grasslands. Nevada City.
Litton Trail: 2 miles one way. Grass Valley.
Narrow Gauge Trail: Entire trail including unofficial
“use” section: 1.7 miles. Chicago Park.
Sugarloaf Mountain Trail: .5 mile one way. 365
degree views of downtown Nevada City.
Empire Mine Trails: 14 miles of scenic trails.
Historic buildings, mining machinery, gold mining points
of interest. Grass Valley.
intersects Grouse Ridge and Byers Lake Trail.
Campground. arounddonnersummit.com
Island Lake Trail: 1 mile begins at Carr-Feeley
Campground. arounddonnersummit.com
TRUCKEE AREA
Donner Lake Rim Trail: Various points of entry.
11 miles completed. Spectacular views.
Lower Lola Montez: 6.4 mile round trip. Lightly used,
out and back. Great views and beautiful lake.
Mount Judah Loop: 5.5 miles. Mt Judah & Donner
Peak. Stunning views. Family friendly.
Summit Lake: 4.7 mile loop near Soda Springs (off
the Pacific Crest Trail).
BORN TO RUN
GRASS VALLEY/NEVADA CITY AREA
Pioneer Trail on Hwy 20: 25 miles.
South Yuba Edwards Crossing to Purdon
Crossing Trail: 9 miles round trip. Downstream along
Yuba River
Humbug Trail: 2.72 miles one way to river. Uphill
return.
Scott’s Flat Trail: 4.5 miles one way. Flat at first then
switchbacks down to Scott’s Flat Lake.
TRUCKEE AREA
Commemorative Overland Emigrant Trail: 7.5 miles
one way. Flat. Good beginner trail.
Hole in the Ground Trail: 7.8 miles one way. Views
Truckee River Trail: 7.9 miles. River views, partially
paved, alongside Truckee River.
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