Alpine Pond – Borel Hill loop from Portola Valley

Running trails & routes

Alpine Pond – Borel Hill loop from Portola Valley

Hard

4.8

(3749)

7,970

runners

Alpine Pond – Borel Hill loop from Portola Valley

03:48

29.0km

790m

Running

Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 4, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve

Coal Creek Open Space Preserve

Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve

Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

Audubon Society

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

12.6 km

Alpine Pond

Highlight • Lake

The shores of this lovely pond are full of moisture-loving plants such as willow, dock, and cattails. If you spend time here, you can expect to see lots of wildlife that inhabit the area, including blue herons, egrets, ring-necked ducks, mallards, and western pond turtles. A nature center overlooks the pond with exhibits, touchable wildlife, picnic tables, restrooms and drinking water open year-round.

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12.9 km

Ridge Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Ridge Trail gives you pretty views to the bay and the Santa Clara Valley (through high grass, depending on the season).

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14.4 km

Borel Hill

Highlight • Summit

Borel Hill is the highest point in the preserve at 2,575 feet (784 meters), with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean to the west and across the San Francisco Bay to the east. In the spring, beautiful wildflowers are abundant. On a clear day, you can see all the way from San Jose to San Francisco. The vast scenery makes you feel on top of the world and is an excellent place to capture memorable photos.

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14.4 km

Borel Hill

Highlight • Summit

Spectacular 360° surround views from the top of the hill (2513 feet / 766 meters).

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14.5 km

Ridge Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This beautiful trail takes you along the rolling green hills of the preserve, with views of Mount Diablo, Black Mountain, East Bay peaks, Mindego Hill, and the San Gregorio Watershed. The path connects to several trails, offering various options for a long or shorter hike. In the spring, wildflowers add color to the scenery with lupine, bright orange poppies and purple owl clover, making it a gorgeous escape from the city.

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16.2 km

View of the Pacific Ocean from Russian Ridge

Highlight • Viewpoint

From up here on the ridge you get great sweeping views across the foothills. On a clear day you can see out west to the Pacific Ocean.

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16.7 km

Mindego Hill Windmill

Highlight • Viewpoint

This spot has a lovely wooden platform with a bench where you can take a break and enjoy the panoramic views of the Silicon Valley side of Mindego Hill, which is below you. The classic windmill is up the hill to your left.

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23.3 km

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve Scenic View

Highlight • Viewpoint

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve encompasses a little over 1,100 acres of barren land with a few spotty forest areas. The majority of the Peninsula Range (the mountain range in which the park is encompassed) is completely covered in trees, but the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve has a bunch of open meadows and bald hills with expansive views.

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