2026-10-22 · 6 min read · By Peter Schardt
Things to Do Near Mt. Burdell: Hikes, Rides, and Weekend Errands
Marin's largest open space preserve is just up the hill, and a handful of trails, parks, and neighborhood spots make a full weekend around Mt. Burdell easy. A local's shortlist from Partridge Knolls.
This post is a practical shortlist of things to do around Mt. Burdell, the 1,627-acre open space preserve that sits at the back door of Partridge Knolls and 194 Butterfield Dr. Whether you have an hour before work or a full weekend, the mountain and the neighborhoods around it are easy to fill.
Hike the mountain: 1,627 acres of trails
Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve is the largest open space preserve in Marin County, open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The summit rises 1,558 feet and rewards hikers with panoramic views across the Bay Area on clear days. The trail system mixes fire roads and singletrack, 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.
Trailheads that back onto the neighborhood
The main trailhead sits at the end of San Andreas Drive, and several other trailheads back onto residential streets, including the Partridge Knolls area near 194 Butterfield Dr. That means a morning hike does not require a drive: walk out the door and you are on the mountain. Dogs are welcome on the preserve, leashed on trails and under voice command on fire roads, which makes it a favorite for daily dog walks.
Hidden Lake and spring wildflowers
Hidden Lake, a seasonal pond formed by a landslide around 1900, fills in wet years as a vernal pool where frogs and salamanders breed. The 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.
A short drive from the trailhead
The mountain is the anchor, but the surrounding area makes it easy to build a full day. Stafford Lake Park, about three miles west of downtown Novato, offers shore fishing, a playground with a zip line, picnic tables with charcoal BBQs, and the 17-acre Stafford Lake Bike Park inside the park. Bay Club Rolling Hills at 351 San Andreas Drive brings tennis, pickleball, pools, and group fitness classes to the neighborhood. Olompali State Historic Park, with its historic buildings and trails on the slopes of Mt. Burdell, is roughly 2.5 miles north off Highway 101. Back on Grant Avenue in downtown Novato, the coffee shops and restaurants are a short drive down the hill.
Make a day of it
A favorite local rhythm: hike Mt. Burdell in the morning, then picnic or ride at Stafford Lake in the afternoon. If you are coming to see 194 Butterfield Dr, tell Peter you would like the trail-to-house tour, and he will route the walk through the neighborhood and up toward the trailhead.
Written by
Peter Schardt
Real Estate Agent · Berkshire Hathaway · Novato & Petaluma
See 194 Butterfield Dr for yourself
Peter schedules private tours of the home, with a neighborhood walk included if you like. Send a note and he will confirm the details.
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