Skyline Park to Lake Marie Loop

Skyline Park is an 850-acre hiking, biking and horseback riding playground near the entrance to Napa. The park was established in 1979 when a group of Napa Valley volunteers bought the property from the Napa State Hospital. With over 25 miles of trails, a disc golf course, an archery range, an RV and camping area, and the beautiful Martha Walker Native Habitat Garden, Skyline Park has plenty of recreational activities and enough trail to get lost on. This 7-mile hike explores some of the trails along the outer edge of the park on the way to Lake Marie. In places there are many trails heading off in various directions, so don't be afraid to experiment. You will begin your hike on the Manzanita Trail. Pass by the archery range and the disc golf course, and then climb up to the 530-foot pass. After a short descent to the Marie Creek/Chaparral Trail, you will meander through the woods until you reach Lake Marie. Watch for bikers, as this is a shared trail. For a tougher hike, consider taking the Rim Rock Trail to the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain. After circling the lake you will meet up with Buckeye Trail, which will return you to the parking area. Skyline Trail is another option; it is longer and provides expansive views of Napa Valley. Once you are close to the parking area, make sure to take a stroll through the Native Habitat Garden before returning to your car.