Meditative Woodlands Hike

Hike the Meditative Dean Trail in Huddart County Park

05.30.2019

Peninsula & South Bay

Hike the redwood forest at Huddart County Park in Woodside

Hike the redwood forest at Huddart County Park in Woodside

Relaxation apps and calming soundtracks are nice, but stepping outdoors for this meditation hike in the redwoods is better! This 2-mile (round-trip) hike on the Dean Trail at Huddart Park winds you through woodland and a redwood forest, alongside a seasonal creek and to an absolutely serene spot.

From the trailhead, follow the Dean Trail around the park’s multiple picnic areas. After passing the Miwok Picnic Shelter, the trail ascends on a narrow path through a thick grove of tanoak and madrones. Listen to the leaves rustling in the wind. Follow the trail through dense redwood forest. Take some deep breaths to enjoy the fragrance of these towering second-growth trees. Hiking closer to the canyon (McGarvey Gulch), the forest feels cooler and becomes quieter. Cross a small bridge, then take a right and walk down to McGarvey Flat.

This sheltered hideaway is the perfect meditation spot. The small, shaded area is enclosed by a canopy of soaring redwoods with a lone picnic table and a bench overlooking McGarvey Creek. Little birds perched on tree branches chirp. Take a seat, exhale.

See updated information about Huddart Park. Parking is $6 for the day. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories

Light This Way
Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.
View
Bucks Up!
Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.
View
Switchbacks and Swimming Holes
Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.
View
Roaring Good Time
There’s nothing quite like the majestic beauty of California’s redwood forests. Now, imagine experiencing those towering giants aboard a historic 19th-century steam train. Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton is home to some of the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines in America.
View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

Zen & the Art of Kayaking
It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.
View
A Rose in the Pines
A crackling fire, a bottle of wine, a bubbling Jacuzzi tub with a waterfall … now the big question: Marvin Gaye tunes or not? In the morning (ahem) it's breakfast in bed and a leis
View
Locals' Feature: Alex Villicana
Tech booms, AI revolutions, okay that’s all fine, but you wanna know what else is really cool? Being a pioneer in a world-famous industry that—in Paso Robles—remains solidly down to earth. When Alex Villicana established Villicana Winery in 1993, he clearly had grape expectations...
View
Zen and the Art of Fly Fishing
Learning to fly fish is one of the most fun and beautiful ways to connect with nature, family, friends, and yourself. It’s also a great way to truly experience the magic of a place. Make that place Reno Tahoe, where a fly fishing adventure with Reno Fly Shop is like being planted in a plein air painting of dreamy outdoors.
View