Explore the best rated trails in Arcata, CA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Humboldt Bay Trail North and Fortuna Riverwalk . With more than 6 trails covering 19 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The trail is well maintained. The Eel River is lovely with trees, greenery, and flowers lining the bank. On the other side are several industrial businesses. It is nice to have open spaces to stretch the legs.
This trail runs along the Eureka waterfront. Not a particularly picturesque place. The path itself was good. Took us through interesting lumber industry activities. Quite a few homeless on and near the path.
We parked at the North Clam Beach parking lot. Best section of route is along the beach access road. Once we bicycled onto path surface then trip went downhill. First was a fire on the dunes started by a homeless person, then several homeless people on route sleeping in bushes. Rogers Market on the trail had questionable folks who were very inquisitive about our bicycles. Then the Mad River Bridge while beautiful was covered with graffiti from end to end. Trail ends just as you exit bridge. Never got a really warm, relaxing vibe on this route, and we don’t need to ride this trail again.
Great for dog walks and bike rides . I heard there is river access but I haven’t done too much exploring yet .
Beautiful walk from Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center to Freshwater Slough and back. About 3 miles round trip. Fun bridges. Old train trestle. Great signage of natural and cultural history. Vista/picnic bump outs with landscape art including metalworks benches and castes of Wiyot stools like the ones in the Humboldt State University Native Forum breezeway.
This trail is heavily used, mainly in sections by walkers but lesser so by through bicyclists and runners. hard to maintain an average speed due to street crossings and foot traffic, but hard to beat the ocean views toward the northern end of the trail and the pastoral feel toward the southern terminus!
We took bicycles and parked the car at a small lot in the middle of the trail; Murray Road east until it dead-ends almost in the ocean.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day with blue skies, sunshine and warm, but not hot. We took many beautiful pictures!
Suggestions: Take light snacks and water. Do not bother stopping at the campground restrooms on the north end of the trail - they are just pits, smelly and flies. Best restrooms were at the park south of the middle where we parked; very clean and tidy, without foul smells. Where the trail meets in the middle, it is a residential area and the owners on both sides of the trail sign have absolutely wonderful, colorful flowers in their front yards. We took our time, stopping to "smell the roses" so to speak, and just enjoy the outdoors and scenery. There were people of all ages on the trail, biking, jogging, walking and in strollers. It is a wide path and easy to navigate. I grew up in Humboldt County and this was the first time I had been on this trail - they don't have trails like this in SE Florida, where I now reside. :-)
This is a wonderful trail ! Next to the northern trailhead is a restaurant, and other retail in just walking distance. The trail itself is very peaceful with wonderful views of waterways. Many artistic benches are along the trail, as well as numerous bike racks for locking your bike. Some areas of the trail are shaded with trees, and other areas are more open. Lots of folks enjoying the trail from children to adults. I like the informative signs along the trail educating users about the history, and ecosystem! A must visit trail in Eureka!
It's a pleasant short trail for the surrounding residents. It connects up with city streets that have bike lanes. Is nearby a school allowing children to use the trail as an active transportation corridor. Numerous access points along the trail. Speaking with others, my only complaint - would be to update the bollards along the trail. Installing a more updated design, and more visible at night with reflective features. Otherwise a wonderful resource for the residents of the area!
A wonderful trail! At the south end eter from the Arcata side, you are greeted by the Mad river. Enjoy the Arcata bottom area, before entering the Hammond trail.
Now in Mckinleyville, a short hill after the mad river bridge, then it is flat for a long ways. Not too long up the trail you will reach Hiller park - picnic tables, kids playground, single track trails, batting cage, baseball fields, bathrooms, and probably more.
Just north of the the park it's a pleasant area with lots of tree coverage. Shortly you'll begin to see ocean views. The farther north you go the more intense, and closer the ocean access becomes. Most areas of the trail will have tree coverage.
A few hills exist along the entire trail, but they are very manageable. You also have numerous access points with parking areas, if you prefer to drive then walk segments of the trail.
The far north end is Clam beach, you have full access to the beach from this area. Actually from Hiller park you can access the mouth of the Mad river, but you need to be more familiar with the area, to know what single track trails access the area off of the Hammond trail.
One segment of the trail north of Clam beach, the trail is gravel. Though a short segment everything else is paved. Be prepared for a bit of a hill in that gravel area, but it offers a wonderful overview vista of the ocean, and you can even find a bench halfway up the hill. North of the gravel it's flat and a bit windy with dunes to your west. It's en exciting stretch as you know you're reaching Clam beach.
My experience is riding a bicycle from downtown Arcata, and sometimes all the way up to Clam beach, then back. Not matter how often, or far I ride the bicycle, it's always a wonderful, and relaxing ride. At Hiller road just south of Hiller park head east to the main part of town. If you would like drinks, food, ice cream, etc. You'll find all you need at the foot of Hiller, just a short ride!
Enjoy the coastline!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
