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James Irvine Trail
A diverse and challenging loop hike including redwoods, Fern Canyon, and beach hiking.
Plan Around James Irvine Trail
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James Irvine Trail Details
The James Irvine Trail begins at the marked trailhead at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center. It parallels Godwood Creek from a ridge above the lush creek bed, travels through groves of extraordinary giant trees, and finally leads you to Fern Canyon. The sheer walls and fern-carpeted rock surfaces transport you a world away from the upland forests where you started. You have several hiking options, but the most memorable and interesting is to link up several of the trails in this area to create a strenuous but rewarding loop. Follow the James Irvine Trail from its marked trailhead to its terminus in Fern Canyon, ignoring side trails on your way out. After passing through the magical, lush depths of the canyon, follow Gold Bluffs Beach Road (an extension of Davison Road) south until you see a turnoff for Miners Ridge Trail to the left. This challenging climb will deposit you back on the James Irvine Trail to retrace your steps back to the start. The Miners Ridge Trail actually follows the route gold miners traveled on in the mid-1800s. This is a fantastic loop that offers a tour of the area's upland and coastal biomes, showing you the best of the redwoods parks.
Difficulty
High
Distance
11.6 miles
Estimated time
7 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around James Irvine Trail
Compare nearby parks around James Irvine Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around James Irvine Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond James Irvine Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Prairie Creek Visitor Center
The Prairie Creek Visitor Center is located just off Highway 101, along Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.
0.0 mi away
Prairie Creek Trail
A beautiful and moderate walk along Prairie Creek, with great forest scenery.
0.0 mi away
Revelation Trail
This short interpretive trail was designed for the visually impaired.
0.0 mi away
James Irvine Trail
This trail is a great experience for those who want to see the stunning scenery of Northern California.
0.2 mi away
South Fork Trail
A great short hike to see spectacular redwood trees and lush ravines.
