The trail is 2.5 miles from the parking lot to the top. I usually finish my run with a cruise around the headlands to make a 6 mile run. This trail is regularly used by hikers and runners so keep an eye out as you zip around the corners; however, it is not uncommon to have the trail to yourself.

There are 2 places I know for 5-8 mile runs — one along the coast, and the other up Big River (not coastal, but lovely).

The coastal run is the MacKerricher State Park Coastal Path, which starts at Glass Beach in Fort Bragg. For Glass Beach, go north across the newly-refurbished Pudding Creek Trestle on the MacKerricher path. No motorized traffic allowed on any of this, just foot traffic, bikes, and the occasional horse at the northern end…. It’s an old haul road, so it’s plenty wide for passing. The road goes for about 5 or 6 miles, then there’s a stretch of a couple miles on beach, where the road was washed out in a big storm. The road picks up again just south of Ten Mile River, where the big sand dunes are. (The dunes are a protected habitat for snowy plovers, so stick to the wet sand.)

The road is usually no more than 100 yards or so from the ocean, and there are unpaved footpaths along the headlands all along the way. You can easily run off on side paths, and then rejoin the paved path. You can see the Lost Coast in a sweeping vista to the north, an area so rugged the highway builders went inland with the Coastal Highway.

The other place for a long run is going up the north side of Big River, next to Mendocino. A lot of people walk and bike this road, and it gradually rises as you go inland. You’re next to Big River at various points, as well as passing through a lot of redwood groves. Since this trail goes inland in a wooded area, there are a lot of wild animals — you should travel with a partner. It is state park land, but more sparsely populated and wilder as you go inland.

The trail along MacKerricher is safe for solo running or biking. It’s a state park, and the path is well-traveled — but not so many that you think about it…. Beautiful!

Dennis

Thanks,
Amit