About Windemere Ridge Trail
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.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking an easy, scenic hike on a paved surface.Parents wanting an outdoor activity with a defined elevation change for exercise (e.g., running with a jogging stroller).Those interested in unique local wildlife viewing (cows, possibly coyotes).A breezy outing on a clear day to enjoy expansive views.'Kid friendly' and 'great for kids' suggest suitability for a broad range of children capable of an easy hike.
Why families love it
- 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.
- Fully paved trail surface, offering a smooth experience for walking, running, or strollers.
- Sweeping panoramic views of the entire Dougherty Valley.
Insider tips
- 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.
Good to know before you go
- Relying on potentially outdated directions for parking and access; verify entry points beforehand.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).
- Parking is consistently reported as 'not convenient' at primary access points.
- Can be 'super windy' at times, which might impact comfort for younger children.
- 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.
- Food
- As a public outdoor trail, it's assumed outside food and beverages are permitted for personal consumption. No specific rules are mentioned.
- Accessibility
- The 'paved trail' makes it suitable for strollers and potentially wheelchairs, though the '200ft elevation change' should be considered.
- Safety
- 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.
What parents say
"Beautiful 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"
a year ago
"Beautiful paved trail, very scenic, easy hike and great for kids. Parking is not convinient"
4 years ago
"Awesome place to run with a nice elevation change of about 200ft."
6 years ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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