Peters Creek Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors

There are no services in the preserve or along the trail, so make sure to bring enough food, water, and sunscreen for your hike.

Dogs are allowed from the parking area to the junction with the the Chestnut Trail. While you are allowed to take your dog on the Chestnut Trail, dogs are not allowed on the rest of the Peters Creek Trail.

The Peters Creek Trail starts at a parking area along Skyline Boulevard across from Upper Stevens Creek County Park. The trail starts by descending down the hill along a narrow singletrack trail.

The trail weaves in and out of the woods before it arrives at the junction with the Chestnut Trail, which breaks off to the right. The trail enters the woods and immediately crosses over Peters Creek via a wooden footbridge. The trail widens at this point to a double wide trail as it winds past moss covered rocks and and ferns.

At three quarters of a mile, the Long Ridge trail breaks off to the right and starts to climb uphill immediately. The Peters Creek Trail climbs gently until it comes to a small pond. At this point, the trail turns to the right and narrows again to a single, narrow track dirt trail again.

At 1.5 miles, the trail climbs more steeply as it climbs up the hillside. The trail emerges from the woods at the junction with the Ward Road, Hickory Oaks Trail, and Long Ridge Road trails. From here, you can go to the left and follow the Hickory Oaks Trail. If you go straight, you can drop deeper into the preserve.

If you go to the right, you can follow the Long Ridge Road Trail and enjoy views of the mountains and the ocean before circling back to parking lot via the Long Ridge Trail. If none of these options appeal to you, you can turn around and return to the trailhead.