GUERNEVILLE, Calif. — The obvious appeal of visiting California’s wine country is, well, the wine. But if you’re near Sonoma County, consider an exhilarating buzz that has nothing to do with fermented grapes: Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve.
This amazing grove of redwood trees includes some as high as 310 feet and dating as far back as 1,400 years. You can drive through ($8 per car, $7 seniors), but the better option is to take a hike: In addition to the fitness benefits, it’s free.
The 752-acre grove of coast redwoods (technical name, Sequoia sempervirens) is best appreciated in the morning, before crowds arrive and your supernaturally silent walk is marred by other people’s chatter. (We arrived around 9 a.m. at midweek in September.) The 3/4-mile Pioneer Nature Trail is the least rigorous and most desirous, offering a magical stroll through the redwoods. Signs detail the height and age of a few iconic trees and deliver a humbling perspective on the time span of these giants.
Looking for more exercise? Instead of turning back at the Pioneer path’s end (where you’ll find picnic grounds too), we hiked back to the parking lot via the 2.3-mile East Ridge Trail. (Longer trails also are available.) The park sign described it as “moderately rigorous.” What with the vertical ascents, steep descents, rocky switchbacks and nary a railing in sight as you scale the equivalent of 500 feet, well, “insanely intense” is more like it. Be sure you’ve got appropriate shoes and a fitness level to match. Though not nearly as scenic nor awe-inspiring as Pioneer Trail, it will deliver a fabulous workout.
The grove was about 40 minutes from our Healdsburg hotel. A visitor’s center (11 a.m.-3 p.m. daily) is on-site, and free guided walks are available some days. Another option: Armstrong Woods Pack Station horseback riding (707-887-2939, redwoodhorses.com).
The reserve is at 17000 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville, Calif., 707-869-2015. Park hours: 8 a.m. to one hour past sunset daily. Go to parks.ca.gov.
