Middle Ridge Trail

Dogs Leashed

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The only toilets, garbage cans, and water are at the Devil's Slide parking lot.

The trail runs half-way down the top of the middle ridge and then switches back to follow an old road down to the Arroyo Trail. I generally go up either the South Ridge Trail or the Arroyo Trail, hike to the north end of the Bluff Trail and then return via the Middle Ridge and Arroyo trails.

When coming back from the north end of the Bluff Trail, do not take the first road that you see. That road runs just below the north ridge and ends at private property. The junction with the Middle Ridge Trail is marked with a sign post. Before the post, the Bluff Trail actually starts down the middle ridge for about 40 yards or so in order to avoid a steep drop that is rutted with motorcycle trails.

As you hike along the top of the ridge, there are good views of Linda Mar Beach, Pacifica and the coast. On a clear day the view extends all the way to Tamalpais and Point Reyes. Most of the trail along the ridge is wide and reconstructed in the same manner as the South Ridge and Bluff trails. Shortly after the trail narrows, you come to where it cuts back down the hill. Do not try to continue on down the middle ridge itself. You won't get very far before the path becomes heavily overgrown with lots of poison oak.

The descent to the Arroyo Trail is narrow and somewhat rough, but it should be no problem for a healthy hiker.

The website, Vppt.org (for Virtural Pedro Point), has extensive information about the park. It is organized into sections: Maps and Trails, Life, Earth Sciences, History, Restore, and Learning Stations.

There are hundreds of species of native plants in the park, including, along this path, Monterey pine, madrone and toyon trees.