Healdsburg is a small city in Sonoma County, located on the Russian River and known for its area orchards and vineyards. There are some nice places to run in Healdsburg, including the Foss Creek Pathway, Heladsburg Ridge Open Space, and some scenic roads passing vineyards.
Foss Creek Pathway & Downtown Tour. The Foss Creek Pathway is a 1.7 mile paved multi-use trail that runs through downtown Healdsburg. The rail-trail parallels train tracks and features some public art and benches. The downtown start is on Grove St. Head south to Front St. on the Russian River. For the return, retrace your steps, or follow our downtown return option (below).
- Downtown/Extension Option: This makes it a 5.2 mile run. Head north on Front St. for 0.3 miles, then RIGHT on Alley Rd. 2, through Badger Park and a trail that runs along the Russian River for 0.8 miles. Retrace your steps and then use Matheson St. for the return to downtown. It’s a pretty street with nice homes. RIGHT at the 19th-century Heladsburg Square, using Center St. or Healdsburg Ave. to return to the start.
Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve. Scenic open space just north of town with ~3 miles of trails through wetlands and oak woodlands, rocky serpentine chaparral and open grasslands. The rolling hill trails are generally wide with good footing. There are lovely views. We’ve mapped a 2.2 mile loop of the main trails: Starting off the Arabian Way entrance, follow: All the Oaks-Ridge-Nancy’s Hill trails. These trails pass the scenic Russian River & Nancy’s Hill overlooks. There are a few additional trails that can be added. TRAIL MAP
Scenic Area Roads for Running. There are some scenic, lower trafficked roads in the area passing vineyards and orchards that make for some nice running. Among our favorites:
- Dry Creek Rd. West of Hwy 101, from downtown. Passes by numerous vineyards, heading northwest. Decent shoulder.
- W Dry Creek Rd. South of the Dry Creek River, this road is quieter and prettier than Dry Creek Rd., though there is no shoulder.
- Bailhache Ave. Just east of Hwy 101, this tree-lined road follows the Russian River northeast. It’s 2.5 miles to Front Porch Farm. You can continue for another 0.8 miles along Rio Lindo Ave. to Rio Lindo Academy (this part is a steady climb). Note: no shoulder.
Healdsburg is a small city in Sonoma County, located on the Russian River and known for its area orchards and vineyards. There are some nice places to run in Healdsburg, including the Foss Creek Pathway, Heladsburg Ridge Open Space, and some scenic roads passing vineyards.
Foss Creek Pathway & Downtown Tour. The Foss Creek Pathway is a 1.7 mile paved multi-use trail that runs through downtown Healdsburg. The rail-trail parallels train tracks and features some public art and benches. The downtown start is on Grove St. Head south to Front St. on the Russian River. For the return, retrace your steps, or follow our downtown return option (below).
- Downtown/Extension Option: This makes it a 5.2 mile run. Head north on Front St. for 0.3 miles, then RIGHT on Alley Rd. 2, through Badger Park and a trail that runs along the Russian River for 0.8 miles. Retrace your steps and then use Matheson St. for the return to downtown. It’s a pretty street with nice homes. RIGHT at the 19th-century Heladsburg Square, using Center St. or Healdsburg Ave. to return to the start.
Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve. Scenic open space just north of town with ~3 miles of trails through wetlands and oak woodlands, rocky serpentine chaparral and open grasslands. The rolling hill trails are generally wide with good footing. There are lovely views. We’ve mapped a 2.2 mile loop of the main trails: Starting off the Arabian Way entrance, follow: All the Oaks-Ridge-Nancy’s Hill trails. These trails pass the scenic Russian River & Nancy’s Hill overlooks. There are a few additional trails that can be added. TRAIL MAP
Scenic Area Roads for Running. There are some scenic, lower trafficked roads in the area passing vineyards and orchards that make for some nice running. Among our favorites:
- Dry Creek Rd. West of Hwy 101, from downtown. Passes by numerous vineyards, heading northwest. Decent shoulder.
- W Dry Creek Rd. South of the Dry Creek River, this road is quieter and prettier than Dry Creek Rd., though there is no shoulder.
- Bailhache Ave. Just east of Hwy 101, this tree-lined road follows the Russian River northeast. It’s 2.5 miles to Front Porch Farm. You can continue for another 0.8 miles along Rio Lindo Ave. to Rio Lindo Academy (this part is a steady climb). Note: no shoulder.
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!