Thanks to all the heavy rains this winter in Northern California, the hills are alive with green grass and, in some special places, colorful blooms. Take a leisurely Northern California wildflower hike in Novato to enjoy all the spring colors up close. This easy Northern California trail, located in Mount Burdell Preserve, will take hikers past fields of flowers. Along the trail, you might also encounter cows grazing in the fields. How charming!
Why This Is One of the Best Easy Hikes in Northern California
If you’re looking for that classic Northern California hiking experience, this is it. At 1,627 acres, Mount Burdell Preserve is the largest of its kind in Marin County. In the preserve, you’ll find Mount Burdell, a small mountain at 1,558 feet. There is also Hidden Lake, a seasonal pond with frogs and salamanders. The terrain might not be the most dramatic in the region, but it’s positively stunning, especially if you can time it with wildflower blooms.
About the Wildflower Trail
This 3.4-mile loop is called Michako Trail, San Carlos Fire Road, and Middle Burdell Fire Loop. The trail has a long name because it is made up of several roads and trails, all combined. But don’t worry, despite the long name and multiple trails, this trail is easy to navigate. Hikers who’ve rated the trail on AllTrails say it takes about one hour and forty minutes to complete this hike. Because most of the trail is made up of these wide fire roads, it’s a relatively easy-to-navigate and approachable terrain. Plus, most of the trail passes through open meadows, giving you plenty of cinematic wildflower moments!
Spring Wildflowers at Mount Burdell Preserve
Spring blooms at Mount Burdell Preserve can begin as early as March and tend to last well through April. Some varieties of blooms you’ll get to enjoy include California poppies and lupine. While the timing does matter and these wildflowers don’t last as long as we’d like, note that the trail is certainly worth the visit even without blooms. Also, not every year is a “superbloom,” so the flowers may be more subtle when you visit.
On a nice day, we recommend packing a picnic lunch and stopping at the midway point to enjoy the views. Please be sure to stay on the roads and trails. Access the 3.4-mile loop trail from one of the residential streets located off San Marin Boulevard. Be sure not to block the streets, gates, or driveways of residents. There is a sign at the entrance to the preserve that details the area’s layout. There are other hiking trails within the preserve, ranging from one mile to nearly eight miles.
Tips for Hiking This Wildflower Trail
It’s a good idea to bring sun protection and water, especially on a hot day, since there is little to no shade on this hike. Frequent visitors to the preserve love the natural scenery, as well as the grazing cows you’re likely to see along the way. This trail is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash. This is a popular trail for bird watchers and horseback riders, too.
Looking for something to do after your Northern California wildflower hike? Just a 10-minute drive from Mount Burdell Preserve is the historic Olompali State Historic Park. Consider visiting this former coastal Miwok village and learning about how the Miwoks lived…