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Oat Hill Mine Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.5 (52)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Napa Valley
  4. Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
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“Possibly the best out and back you'll ever ride! ”

Brian Kennedy
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Map Key

16.6

Miles

26.8

KM

55%

Singletrack

2,501' 762 m

High

398' 121 m

Low

2,678' 816 m

Up

2,677' 816 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

Oat Hill Mine Road rises steadily above Calistoga and takes you through some great scenery and challenging terrain. You can turn around once you get to the top (around 4.5 miles in) and head back down, or continue on and explore even more of the land towards Aetna Springs.

Need to Know

Trail holds up nicely during the wet months of winter.

There can be a lot of hikers during the first/last couple miles, stay in complete control.

Description

This ride has a ton of technical fun on the way up and down. The first few miles of the climb are pretty gradual and well graded. Near the top you'll find unrelenting chunk that will work you over hard.

Although I have marked this ride as 55% singletrack, the quality of the trail is great from top to bottom. The trail is quite rough most of the ride but that does not detract from the difficulty or fun factor.

History & Background

From the Oat Hill Mine Trail brochure: With the discovery of cinnabar deposits in the late 1800s Napa County saw the development of several mines to extract the ore and produce quicksilver (mercury). The most productive of several mines in the area was the Oat Hill Mine which accounted for one third of the total U.S. production of quicksilver from its discovery in 1872 until the late 1960s. The mine was idle from 1923 to 1927 when it reopened and operated continuously through 1944. After the Second World War mining profits fell, and mining ceased in the late 1960s.

More info: napaoutdoors.org/parks-trai…

Contacts

Land Manager: Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District

Shared By:

Brian Kennedy
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 52 votes

#1

in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park

#294

Overall
  4.5 from 52 votes
5 Star
58%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Robert Louis Stevenson…

#40

in California

#294

Overall
117 Views Last Month
26,550 Since Jul 27, 2013
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85%
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Photos

Great views before the gnarly sections.
Apr 30, 2017 near Calistoga, CA
There's great rain riding to be had on the Oat Hill Mine Trail.
Dec 17, 2016 near Calistoga, CA
Traction is awesome on the Oat Hill Mine Trail, even during a rainstorm.
Dec 17, 2016 near Calistoga, CA
On the way down Oat Hill Mine Road
Jul 27, 2013 near Calistoga, CA
The first look at the amazing Palisades with a touch of wild flower blooms.
Apr 30, 2017 near Calistoga, CA
This is one of those moments you just have to stop and capture on your ride.
Dec 17, 2016 near Calistoga, CA

20 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 21, 2023
Erik Thunstrom
Trail closed today and Northern section till 9/24/23
May 30, 2023
Anna Annet
A lot of chunky parts, loose gravel here and there,the trail keeps you focused and serious about picking your line. The way down is rewarding and fun!
Oct 1, 2022
S H
9mi
Jan 18, 2022
Guy Sho
five stars if you add the optional singletrack descent on the lower third.
Nov 29, 2021
Kevin Hu
Jun 5, 2021
Mark Loftin
Sep 25, 2020
Rob G
Sep 10, 2020
Bill May

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