Arcata Ridge Trail Project
Highlights
- Connect public lands together and create a 4.5-mile redwood forest trail between the City's northern and southern limits.
- Strengthens Arcata's appeal as an active tourism destination and will be a recreational resource for local hikers, bicyclists and equestrians.
- Help protect Arcata's undeveloped eastern boundary, wildlife habitat and viewshed.
Project Update
The Arcata Ridge Trail has been completed after over a decade of being a City and community priority project. The completion marks a monumental achievement in connecting the main tract of the Arcata Community Forest with the Sunny Brae Forest Tract. The final Fickle Hill Rd. trail crossing does not serve as a trailhead but rather a vital connection along the 4.5-mile trail between West End Rd. and Margaret Ln.
Below is the administrative record for the project.
Administrative Record
About the Trail
This is a 4.5-mile trail running from West End Road to Buttermilk Lane, crossing through the Sunny Brae and Arcata Community Forests. The Arcata Ridge Trail allows hikers, bikers and equestrians to travel from the north to south of the City limits without leaving scenic redwood forested hillsides. Once the Annie and Mary Trail is complete, there will be less than a mile between the 2 trails, making it possible to walk or ride all the way from Blue Lake through Arcata.
Tourism & Nature Benefits
The trail helps strengthen Arcata’s reputation as an active travel destination and helps preserve the City’s undeveloped eastern greenbelt boundary, which both maintains a wildlife corridor and protecs the headwaters of Janes Creek, Gannon Slough and Beith Creek from future development.
Community Support
The completion of this trail would not have been possible without the community support of purchasing properties for this ecological greenbelt and different fundraisers, such as:
- The Arcata Ridge Trail Festival - An annual weekend of mountain bike races, trail runs and music
- Bat ‘N’ Rouge - A comedy drag softball fundraiser
Make a Donation
Donations to support maintenance of the Arcata Ridge Trail can be made directly to the Arcata Forest Fund which is administered by the Humboldt Area Foundation. Make a donation online here: Arcata Forest Fund, or checks can be made out to the "Arcata Forest Fund" and sent to the Foundation at:
373 Indianola Road