West Side Railroad Trail to the Tuolumne North Fork is a 10.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Tuolumne, California that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, horses, and mountain biking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Dogs on leash
Kid friendly
Hiking
Horseback riding
Mountain biking
Running
Rails trails
River
Views
Wild flowers
Wildlife
Over grown
This is a perfect hike geared towards anyone in any skill level. You casually stroll along a flat surface winding around the mountainside wandering the same trail that years ago had rails used for logging until the trail became to narrow for a train. Most of the rails are pulled up so even biking is possible. Keep in mind there are occasional ruts though. Butterflies and picturesque views afford anyone a good time. You can have dogs on the trail with you.
Fri Jul 03 2020The West Side Rails Trail was a beautiful and pleasant 11-mile walk along an abandon railroad, which was sprinkled with patches of wildflowers. Wished we were there a month ago when the lupin bushes were in full bloom. What a sight that would have been. However, the California buckeyes were in full bloom and their sweet scent filled the cool mountain air and relaxed the mind. What a treat! The River Ranch campground at the end of the trail was a nice spot to have lunch and enjoy the Tuolumne River. We would definitely visit this hidden gem again next year.
Tue Jun 30 2020Super accessible. Well marked. Small parking lot at trailhead. Partially shaded. Not crowded. Great views. You follow the old tracks for most of the hike, which is cool.
Wed Jun 24 2020Nice and sweet trail probably during the first 2-3 miles, then the trail became narrow and can be annoyed by the grasses and bugs.
Tue Jun 16 2020the trail was very flat and easy to walk with some beautiful views. it's a nice walk for anyone wanting to take an easy scroll, and you can bring your dog. saw a post saying riverside .8 miles decided to take it, it came to the road crossed it and came to a very beautiful river that you can see from your walk. the hike back up was a bit steep nothing too bad.
Sun May 31 2020Easy flat terrain with excellent view of the Tuolumne River below. Lots of wildflowers and butterflies along the old tracks.
Sun May 31 2020Gorgeous views! Very flat and easily walkable!
Sun May 31 2020One hour and fifteen minutes from Turlock and so good for the soul. We hiked about 4 miles in on Sunday. Partly overcast skies and cool weather made it lovely; I'm guessing the partly shaded trail can feel very hot in warmer weather. Lots of wild flowers. People were thoughtful about social distancing. We'll be back!
Sat May 30 2020Easy rated trail with a moderate side trail down to river. Scattered wild flowers along the well groomed trail (watch out for patches of poison oak!), partially shaded with few benches along trail. We did the walk at the end of May, 70 degrees with some overcast. Can’t wait to come back and observe the wildflowers in their prime (April/May). Lovely day! Take the side trail down to the water!
Fri May 22 2020Good hike along the old lumber railway. Nice views.
Fri May 22 2020Should be rated “easy,” there is very little terrain change. Rail buffs will love the abandoned rails and ties. A great nearly-flat hike in and out however there’s no real “destination.”
Thu May 21 2020Great little walk. beautiful out, but watch for the poison ivy.
Sat May 09 2020Sun May 03 2020Great trail. Fun for the whole family. Beautiful scenery and the weather was amazing when we went.
Sun May 03 2020This is a beautiful flat hike. You are able to hike down to the river at the end which makes it 11-12 miles round trip. Lots of poison oak. Picnic tables less then a mile in for lunch.
Tue Mar 03 2020unfortunately my husband and our dog got ticks on them, look alive and check yourself! this was my first day hike/nature walk of this length before. It's a perfect outing for a beginner. I would recommend this hike for early spring, definitely not summer.
Sun Mar 01 2020lots of ticks out there! inkept bringing them off the dogs and my boyfriend's legs. and just so you know, if you stay on the main trail, my watch said it was 5.6 to the river at hacienda. I think Alltrails is a little off. super easy trail. you can tell when you hit the less trafficed part. it was warm on this last day of February. in the sun a lot. the climb is super gradual, except a little switch back down to the river. on the way back in the afternoon some of the local more interesting characters were on the trail.
Wed Feb 19 2020Very nice and easy trail. Seems to be a favorite for dog owners, not all of whom keep theirs on a leash or know that their dog might lunge at strangers. My wife was bitten there a year ago and a friend’s little dog was attacked and needed stitches just recently.
Tue Feb 11 2020This is a great trail. The elevation gain is not nearly as much as in the trail description-more like 300 than 1000 feet. Good surface and interpretive signs. Gentle grades - it was a RR. Water fountain near the beginning, but no restrooms. You will be walking on a trail notched into a mountain side. Probably very sunny and hot in summer; was very pleasant in February, probably more scenic in spring. A great trail to learn about early logging railroads.
Mon Jan 27 2020More of a nature walk instead of a hike. Beautiful scenery and plenty of history to take in. Great for a family outing. Be cautious of tripping hazards and mountain bikers. Fallen rocks and shrubs litter the trail, and some areas of the rail road are falling apart. Definitely watch where you are walking. There are signs that run the length of the railroad that teach you about the history, which is neat.
Wed Nov 20 2019An excellent "hike" more like a walk, no serious inclines or drops, some minor over-grown parts but 95% EASY, the hardest part was about half way back it got dark and had to walk the rest of the way with flashlights, but that was my fault for starting at 1pm! only saw 2 other people. Lots of rails are still intact and the scenery was great! highly recomend for kids, dogs, biking or horseback. loved it!
Sun Nov 17 2019Nice long trail. End is anticlimactic but had fun. Took two pups and it was easy for them. Definitely don’t need gps well labeled as you go.
Sat Nov 16 2019Medium trail. Nicely kept clear of overgrowth. Would do it again
Sat Oct 05 2019No bathrooms for MILES before the trail so stop on your way. Lots of overgrown brush, much of it thorny.
Thu Jun 06 2019Great trail, lots of history, but not much shade, so plan ahead for that. Easy to follow, make sure to go down to the river when the trail seems to end , worth it. Strava had me at 12.18 miles all told. Good hike. Beauty at every turn.
Sat May 11 2019Hot, limited shade. Definitely more easy than it is moderate..elevation was closer to 400 than 1K. Saw many groups within 1-2 miles of start, but no one past that, even on our way back.
Sat May 11 2019This was our first time on West Side Rail Trails. We walked about 3.5 miles when we decided to turn around. It is such an easy trail with so many breath taking pictures that we didn't even realize how far we had walked. Next time, we'll keep walking to hopefully find the end lol. It was a beautiful, calm, clear trail.
