2026-10-01 · 6 min read · By Peter Schardt
Mount Burdell: The Trail System at Your Back Door
Marin's largest open space preserve is a 1,627-acre network of fire roads and singletrack at the north end of Novato. Here is how to make the most of it from Partridge Knolls.
This guide explains what Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve is, where its trails go, and how residents of Partridge Knolls use it every day. For anyone considering 194 Butterfield Dr, the preserve is effectively an extension of the neighborhood.
Marin's largest open space preserve
Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve spans 1,627 acres on the northern edge of Novato and is the largest open space preserve in Marin County. It was purchased in 1977 by the Marin County Open Space District with help from local residents. The mountain rises to 1,558 feet, and from the summit you can see across the entire Bay Area on a clear day.
Trails for hikers, bikers, and riders
The preserve is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The main trailhead sits at the end of San Andreas Drive, and several other trailheads back onto residential neighborhoods, including the Partridge Knolls area. The trail system mixes fire roads and singletrack, with routes ranging from gentle loops to the Old Quarry Trail, the steepest designated trail in the district. The Bay Area Ridge Trail crosses the preserve, including a roughly 7.5-mile out-and-back from Novato Boulevard to the summit. Dogs are welcome: leashed on trails, and under voice command on fire roads.
Hidden Lake and spring wildflowers
Hidden Lake is a seasonal pond formed by a landslide around 1900. In wet years it fills as a vernal pool where frogs and salamanders breed. The preserve's open oak savanna supports majestic valley oaks and serpentine soils with rare endemic plants. April and May bring peak wildflower and bird activity, making spring the most colorful season on the mountain.
Living next to the trailhead
From 194 Butterfield Dr, the trail network is immediate. The agent notes describe the home's access as 'immediate access to the extensive trail network for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding of nearby Mt. Burdell.' For a household that lives outdoors, that proximity is the single most useful amenity the property has. Come hike the mountain, then tour the house.
Written by
Peter Schardt
Real Estate Agent · Berkshire Hathaway · Novato & Petaluma
See 194 Butterfield Dr for yourself
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