Olompali Trail is a 2.9 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Novato, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Horses are also able to use this trail.
Explore this easy loop in the Olompali State Historic Park. Hike through grassland and oak woodland. This loop connects the Miwok and Lower Mt. Burdell trails. Olompali comes from Coast Miwok words meaning southern and village or people. Researchers believe that Olompali was one of the largest villages in what is now Marin County.
Park at the Historic Conservation Site Parking Area
April 18, 2021Nice trail, not too difficult. Came across a snake & many lizards. It can get pretty warm so I would suggest doing it early in the day.
April 10, 2021Nice trail with wildflowers. Cool history. Beautiful calla lilies.
March 29, 2021Fallen tree during the loop. Very hard to go around. Some up hills. Beautiful tress and flowers. Saw many squirrels, turkeys and butterflies. Park rangers on site. Fee for parking. Some shade and some sun. Very nice! Wear mosquito spray!
February 24, 2021February 22, 2021February 21, 2021Amazing trail with beautiful views and a little history.
February 14, 2021Moderate climb to complete the loop. Historical site overlooking interstate 80.
February 14, 2021Make sure you have cash!
February 13, 2021February 4, 2021January 31, 2021Really pretty. Did counter clockwise loop, wasn’t hard. Not too many people for a Sunday but lot was filling up by noon.
January 30, 2021January 21, 2021No dogs allowed :( The first half was pretty rough for someone out of shape like me! But once you get through that, it's pretty easy. Beautiful views!
January 18, 2021This is definitely NOT an "easy" loop! I chose this park based on that fact hoping to socialize with friends, but I was "working-it" the entire time. It was at least Moderate+. I can usually do moderate hikes anyway. Granted I'm not an experienced hiker, but after passing the Miwok village we were pretty much walking up hill for about 0.5 miles before turning around because we were tired; it was shaded mostly so that was a pleasant surprise for an oak woodland. ALSO... parking is $8, and they only take cash (no attendant, it's envelope and drop slot), so make sure you have the exact amount (credit card machine is broken). Lots of picnic tables near the parking lot.
December 18, 2020So unique and great landscapes! Stunning trees and placards with history along the way.
December 6, 2020December 1, 2020Great trail. Have lived in Novato for 26 years and have talk about doing this hike the whole time. Finally did it and it was fantastic. Did the lowland loop and part of the upper Burdell loop. Next time will make sure to have time to go to the top.
November 29, 2020Great hike for kids and family. Wish had brought lunch for picnic. Lots of picnic tables throughout and in shade.
November 27, 2020November 14, 2020a little harder than easy. All up or down, hardly any level.
November 8, 2020October 24, 2020October 10, 2020I wouldn’t describe this as an easy trail. At the park base are the historic buildings and that is flat and easy, but when you start going up the trail it is a gradual uphill to the top and then downhill to the bottom. I would rate it moderate. I hiked in early October so things were mostly brown except for the trees. Still beautiful in a different way. The history was interesting to read/learn.
October 9, 2020October 8, 2020September 18, 2020September 16, 2020August 29, 2020It was my first hike in at least a year or two so chose it because it was rated as easy. You can take the trail clockwise or counterclockwise and I chose counter which has a steep rise during the first 40 minutes of walking and I did get pretty winded but overcame it quickly once that was over. It was good exercise and very pretty, though as it's late August, everything is pretty dry, not many flowers, but still very peaceful and pretty. I passed lots of turkey families and some deer. I agree with what others have said that bug spray is a good idea. The trail is near a boggy creek and lots of flying buzzy. things. I will definitely go again, even if just to sit and/or picnic in the meadows where there are lots of picnic tables because it's so peaceful.
