Clear Creek Greenway Trail is a 12 mile out and back trail located near Redding, California that features beautiful wild flowers. The trail is good for all skill levels offers a number of activity options. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
dog friendly
kid friendly
birding
hiking
mountain biking
trail running
walking
views
wild flowers
wildlife
Very soon after the discovery of gold in 1848 near Sutter's Mill, Major Pierson B. Reading discovered gold on Clear Creek. Mining, in one form or another continued on in earnest for 130 years. The result was a creek turned upside down. Due to the wildly successful efforts to restore its salmon runs, Clear Creek now hosts large numbers of spawning fall Chinook. Although the best place to see this spawning is at the Gorge Overlook, you can witness this miracle of nature at several sites accessed directly from this trail. If it is not salmon spawning season, you can still enjoy some of the earliest gold working features in California and expect to see some of the abundant wildlife within this biologically rich corridor.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1317995141
Trails along the creek were well kept, there are challenges if you choose to go down from the overlook into the gorge, for example, but otherwise almost no elevation. In other words, it’s easy and you can out and back as many miles as you’d like. I recommend this as a picnic/fishing day. So much to explore! My dogs loved it.
I didn't do the entire trial because I had my baby on my back but we did about 5 miles and it was beautiful!!! There are so many places that shoot off the trail what give you great views and many of them lead you down to the water. I will definitely be hiking it again!
I just discovered this trail system and I am in love! Just a short drive from town to avoid the hobos and tourists but close enough to be convenient. It's a well-maintained and scenic trail. NOTE: if you're walking the dog, be sure to take a leash - some parts are appropriate for off-lead hiking but Clear Creek is a busy, high speed road and there are multiple crossings between the Gorge and Horsecamp trailheads.
Between Honeybee and the Gorge there are multiple plyometric displays that make for fun intervals. Lots of creek access and picnic groves.