'Innu ‘Ooáykma-tka Trail
This trail is not yet open to the public. Opening date to be announced. Construction on the trail began in 2024 and is still in progress. Visit the Southern Skyline Boulevard Ridge Trail Extension Project page to learn more.
‘Innu ‘Ooáykma-tka
Pronunciation: ee-new oiy-yahk-mah tehk-ah
Translation: Trail on the Ridge
The SFPUC is proud to introduce ‘Innu ‘Ooyákma‑tka, a new 6‑mile segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail located in San Mateo County. Named by the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area in the Chochenyo/Thámien dialect, ‘Innu ‘Ooyákma‑tka translates to “Trail on the Ridge,” honoring the cultural and linguistic heritage of the land it traverses.
This new stretch, formerly known during construction as the Southern Skyline Ridge Trail Extension, extends from Highways 35 and 92 to the Phleger Estate boundary, with a future connection planned to Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve. As part of the larger Bay Area Ridge Trail network, it contributes to a regional vision of a continuous ridgeline trail throughout Bay Area counties that connects people, parks, and open spaces. The Bay Area Ridge Trail Council has been an essential partner in championing and advancing this project.
‘Innu ‘Ooyákma‑tka welcomes hikers, bikers, runners, and equestrians into the Peninsula Watershed, offering opportunities to learn about the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System, watershed stewardship, and the diverse species protected within the 23,000‑acre landscape.
Permits
Visiting ’Innu ’Ooyákma-tka requires a free permit available through a simple application process. Permits will be available for immediate use, valid for the calendar year, and cover up to 6 people in a group. More information on this process, including a link to the permit page, will be available closer to trail opening.
Hours
Trail opens daily at 6am with last entrance at 6pm.
How to Get There
The trailhead is located off Highway 35, just south of Highway 92 and Skylawn Memorial Park. Parking is free but limited. Spaces are available first come, first serve.
Google Map to Trailhead, Coordinates: 37°29'39.9"N 122°22'03.1"W
Contact
Questions? Please contact us at ridgetrail@sfwater.org.
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Plan Your Visit
- Permit: A free, annual permit is required to visit the trail.
- Restrooms: Vault toilets are located near mile markers 2 and 5 and only accessible from the trail. There is no restroom at the trailhead
- Water: No potable water is available on the trial.
- Pack out all trash: There are no picnic tables or trash cans along the trail.
- Learning: Explore interpretive panels along the trail to learn more about the Regional Water System and Peninsula Watershed.
- Dogs: To protect the watershed's natural resources and water quality, no dogs are allowed.
- Bicyclists: Motorized vehicles are prohibited, including motorized or electric bikes or scooters. The road surface is crushed rock. Bikes suitable for mountain terrain are recommended.
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About the Trail
- Length: This is an out and back trail with no outlets or connections to neighboring park sites. The trail is 6 miles one way, 12 miles round-trip.
- Future Connections: A connection to Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve North trailhead is in the planning stages. Learn more about the project by visiting the Midpeninsula Open Space District website: Bay Area Ridge Trail Connection and Parking Area Expansion Feasibility Study | Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
- Surface Conditions: The trail is a 6ft wide, multi-use trail made of crushed rock. Running slope ranges from 6% to maximum 23.5% with a typical cross slope of 2%, 5% maximum.
- Universal Access: For those with differing abilities, visit the Watershed Discovery Trail. This half-mile, accessible trail is located just north of Skylawn Memorial Park. Learn more by visiting the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail page.
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About the Peninsula Watershed
The Peninsula Watershed protects four drinking water reservoirs and is home to some of the Bay Area’s most intact native habitats. Located in San Mateo County 13 miles south of San Francisco, the Peninsula Watershed spans 23,000 acres of forested ridges coastal scrub, and native grasslands that harbor over 165 species of birds, 800 species of plants and trees, 50 species of mammals, and 30 species of reptiles and amphibians. The watershed is a State-designated Fish and Game Refuge and a protected area within the UNESCO Golden Gate Biosphere Reserve.