Conveniently located in the hills above the Town of Woodside and ideally situated for a quick morning or afternoon getaway, Thornewood Open Space Preserve is a 167-acre preserve offering nice, easy hikes or horseback rides through beautiful surroundings.
The ¾-mile Bridle Trail winds through second growth Douglas fir and redwood forest and emerges in oak and madrone forest to connect with the Schilling Lake Trail welcoming equestrian, hiking, and dogs-on-leash passage.
Because much of the path passes beneath dense forest canopy, the trail remains wet for long periods of time and may close seasonally due to concerns for public safety and environmental protection.
The preserve's ¾-mile Schilling Lake Trail gradually winds through sunlit canopies of big-leaf maples and moss-covered oaks and ends under the shade of the giant redwoods that surround the lake.
• Dogs are allowed on designated trails in this preserve.
• Dogs must be controlled on a maximum 6-foot leash at all times.
• Moving dog waste off trail is not permitted.
Directions:
• Access to the preserve is through a brick gate on the south side of La Honda Road (Highway 84), 1.6 miles past its intersection with Portola Road in Woodside. A narrow driveway winds through the woods for 0.3 miles before reaching the parking lot located on the west side of the driveway. Parking for approximately 12 cars is available here.