Bridle Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · Views

During the summer, Schilling Lake will be dry, making it not as memorable as the winter when birds are migrating and the water levels are up. There are several desire trails in the area, as well as an old unmaintained trail. Signs provide directions on which way the trails go in some places, so watch out if it is your first time in the preserve.

The Bridle Trail climbs from Old La Honda Road through a second growth forest of Douglas fir and redwood trees to the Schilling Lake Trail. The trail departs the parking area, which is a small pullout on the road, and begins climbing on a singletrack dirt trail through a shaded forest. Redwoods tower over you as you make your way up into the preserve. The trail rolls through a creek bed that might be difficult to cross in the winter due to high waters before climbing more steeply through the preserve.

The nice thing about this trail is the it is completely shaded throughout the day. After roughly 0.6 miles, the trail begins to level out as it approaches the Schilling Lake Trail. The trail joins the Schilling Lake Trail and you have several options. You can follow the trail to the left to where Schilling Lake is. If you go to the right, the Schilling Lake Trail makes its way past the old Thorne house to the to the parking lot on Highway 84. You can also retrace your steps back to the parking lot on Old La Honda Road.

Redwood, Douglas fir, oak, and madrone trees can be seen throughout the hike.