WOODSIDE WALKING TRAILS
A Guide to Walking in Woodside
The Woodside perimeter sidewalk
7.0 miles
This lollypop-shaped sidewalk trail is the best-known and most frequently used option for those who wish to walk in Woodside. It is within easy walking distance of most homes. Portions of it are also used to tie in the nature trails. The stem of the lollypop is 1.0 miles and the loop is 6 miles.
The Village Trails
The Village at Woodside offers a variety of trails and these are connected to Woodside by a paved and lighted ¼ mile connector which allows people to walk from the Reserve Club parking area to the commercial businesses located in the Village. Within the Village, there are many paved walking circular routes and a 1.5-mile Village Perimeter Nature Trail that meanders through the Village’s natural terrain.
The Reserve Park Oval
0.25 miles
The Reserve Club Oval is a quarter-mile paved track in a lovely horticultural setting which provides the opportunity to power walk or stroll whatever distance you choose. Parking is located adjacent to the track. Tune in to your favorite music and get in the zone for an easy or vigorous workout.
The Meadows Loop Trail
0.6 miles
The Creek Walk
0.5 miles
The Creek Trail is a short neighborhood walk located near the Cottonwood Creek residential community. This circular walk is fairly flat and follows the Cottonwood Creek steam bed, crossing it in several places on wooden bridges. The trail features a walkout observation deck and a small nature library beside the creek. Plaques distributed along the trail identify the native trees and flora growing there. The area is completely shaded and makes a nice cool retreat on a hot summer day. This is a true nature gem nestled in the heart of Woodside. The best parking is in the dead-end of Cottonwood Creek Lane but there is also a well-marked pedestrian access point from the Woodside perimeter sidewalk.
The Mill Road Trail
1.0 mile in & out trail
The Mill Road trail is a short in 0.5-mile track that runs along a timbered area on the northeast side of the Hollow Creek Land Preservation Area [HCLP]. Currently, the trail stops at the 16th green of the Reserve Golf Course. At this point, walkers will need to backtrack to the trail’s starting point. In the future, this trail may be expanded. Access to the trail is from the Trail Head Parking area.
The Oakman Trail
2.1 miles
This nature trail uses a mix of woodland trails, golf cart paths, and a section of the perimeter sidewalk along Woodside Plantation Drive. Most of this lollypop-shaped trail travels through the wooded area between the fifth and sixth holes of the Reserve golf course. Following the loop portion in a clockwise direction, walkers get a nice view of Oakman Lake as they cross the dam that takes them to the sidewalk along Woodside Plantation Drive. From there it is back into the woods, across a zig-zag bridge, and back to the trailhead parking area. Car access to the trail is from the Trail Head Parking area. There are also two well-marked pedestrian access points from the Woodside perimeter sidewalk.
The Hollow Creek Trail (HCT)
5.0 miles
This lollypop-shaped trail is Woodside’s longest and premier nature trail. So, grab your walking stick and put on your hiking boots for some serious hiking. The trail more or less follows the perimeter of the HCLP. Starting at the Trail Head Parking area the trail proceeds onto a very short section of roadway then into the woods, and across a small bridge. It then skirts along two golf course holes before coming to the loop of the lollypop [0.6 miles]. The 3.9-mile HCT loop can be walked in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Walking clockwise you will cross a pedestrian bridge over Hollow Creek and enter a nicely wooded area with occasional views of two more golf holes. Leaving the golf course behind, the trail proceeds for 1.6 miles through remote woodlands around the perimeter of the HCLP to finally emerge at the dam impounding Anderson Pond. The dam and nearby fishing platform afford nice views of the pond. Trail access is also provided here from parking area. From the dam the trail follows a track close to Anderson Pond which affords some further nice water views. Leaving the pond behind, the trail goes through a beautiful area of mixed pine and hardwood to emerge in an area known as the “twin ponds”. Woodside’s sister equestrian community shares this portion of the trail and you will often see horseback riders here. At the twin ponds, you will see a sign pointing to the bridle trail which can be used to walk to Woodside’s Anderson Pond gate. Proceeding on the HCT, you stroll through another hardwood forest on the way back to the start of the loop and then back to the trailhead parking area.
Mill Road/Azalea Trail Complex
This system of loop trails is accessed from the trailhead parking area. From the parking area follow the sign pointing up the hill into the wooded area above the parking area. At the next sign turn left and follow the blue blazes. The Mill Road, Azalea, and Hollow Creek Trails follow a common path along White Dogwood and enter a few feet of wooded area before the Mill Road Trail goes right while the Azalea and Hollow Creek trails proceed straight ahead. The area is well-signed. If you walk along the Mill Road Trail you may see wildlife in the adjacent Hollow Creek Preservation area. The path is wide for 0.5 miles and then becomes a single track as it turns sharply left. The trail passes below the dam holding back Cunning Lake and then has a very nice section that follows along a stream and over a small bridge to eventually cross beneath the power line to join the second loop of the Azalea Trail. The total distance is about 0.75 miles. You can also access the Azalea Trail by going straight forward and over a substantial bridge used by hikers and golf course maintenance vehicles until you get to a signed point where you make a right turn to access the first loop of the Azalea Trail. The Azalea Trail consists of two loops making a figure eight. You can walk just one of these loops or both, either clockwise or counterclockwise. The Two loops are joined by a short section of trails that cross a small stream via a bridge. The entire trail from the parking area and back is about 1.5 miles with an elevation gain of about 300 feet. The area is completely wooded and provides a nice walk even in the heat of the summer. On the first loop, whether you hike it clockwise or counterclockwise, there are good hills to climb! In the Spring there is a nice display of native azaleas on both sides of the stream – hence the trail’s name. There are many ways to use this trail complex to make circular hikes. A popular way is to use the Mill Road Trail to join the second loop of the Azalea Trail; turn right at the juncture and proceed around the second loop to where it joins the first loop. Cross the bridge, and turn right to proceed around the first loop to the point where it joins the Hollow Creek Trail. Go over the bridge and back to the parking lot – a total of 2.75 miles with some good hills to keep you in shape! For an easier hike start the same way but turn left at the junction of Mill Road and Azalea Trail and follow along the power line to the junction of the trail with the Hollow Creek Trail and hence to the parking lot – a total of 1.5 miles with only minor hills. Of course, there are many other combinations but no matter how you choose to walk this system you are in for a treat.