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Here is a list of hiking trails in the area that
are great for kids in strollers:
Gracie Ditch Trail:
Red Dog Rd. at Pasquale Rd, Nevada City
The Gracie ditch is a 4.5 mile mostly shaded, flat dirt trail
used by many hikers, dog-walkers and runners. It runs along an
irrigation ditch. Stroller walking is better on the Red Dog side,
where the trail is wider. It is beautiful at all times of year,
but can be snowy in the winter. In the summer, it is much cooler
than trails closer to town. Proposed modernization of this trail
is what spurred the creation of the Save Our Historic Canals non-profit
group.
There are two access points for the Gracie Ditch Trail:
Access Point #1) Take Broad St., Nevada City, off of
Hwy. 49. Go right at stop sign and follow the double yellow line
up the hill around 2 miles. (Broad St becomes Boulder St., which
becomes Red Dog Rd.) After passing Pasquale Rd. on the left, look
for a trail with a gate on the right side of the road. You can
park right past the gate, but be careful of fast drivers when
exiting your car. Strollers generally fit under the pedestrian
gate to the side of the main gate.
Access Point #2) Take Ridge Rd. exit off of 49 in
Nevada City. Turn towards Ridge Rd/Nevada City Hwy/Zion St. intersection.
Go left at that intersection. At the next stop sign, Banner Lava
Cap Rd., turn left. Go up Banner Lava Cap a couple of miles. When
it merges with Gracie Rd., look for a dirt parking area on the
left. The trail access is just below the parking area.
Litton Drive Trail:
Sierra College Drive
crosses Sierra College Drive near the new fire station; park on
Sierra College Drive. The part of the trail on the college campus
side is level, gravel, U-shaped and brings you back to Sierra
College Drive up the hill from the fire station. Total 1.25 miles
The part of the trail on the other side of the street is paved,
runs along Grass Valley canal, partly shaded, ends at Hughes Road.
Roundtrip is 1.2 miles.
Union Hill Trails:
Gold Hill Drive at Honeysuckle Lane
From 49 take 174 to Silver Way turn left onto Silver Way,
Turn right onto Gold Hill Drive until it dead ends at Honeysuckle
Lane. There are a bunch of trails starting from this point. Mostly
flat, some gentle sloping terrain. Combination of sun and shade.
Bring water.
Empire Mine Park Trails:
East Empire Street off a dirt parking lot before the visitor
center.
From 49 take the Empire Street Exit and drive East. The Hardrock
Trail head is located off of the Penn. Gate Parking lot. There
are a bunch of wide trails here, combination of sun and shade.
Lots of fun loops to do.
Independence Trail:
Hwy 49 north 6 miles from Nevada City
The trailhead is about 1/2 mile before the bridge across the
South Yuba. There is some parking, but if it is full look for
spaces on the shoulders up ahead or continue to the large lot
at the bridge. Independence Trail is designed to accomodate wheelchairs
so it is wide and flat--very easy for strollers and toddlers It
is also partially shaded and has some pretty views of the river.
One word of caution, there are many ticks here. Mountain biking
is prohibited.
If you know of any great trails please let
us know and we will include it here!
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