Biking and Nordic Walking in the Bay Area: Crystal Springs Reservoir
May 16, 2011 by Jayah Faye Paley
Filed under Fitness & Health, Poles for Nordic Walking, Travel
This lovely locale is easily accessible, paved the entire way with gently rolling hills along a beautiful reservoir. For bikers: do this Mon-Fri. Weekends are too busy with walkers for biking.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
This is a great biking option year-round. In Springtime, there’s an amazing array of flowers. Bring your binocs – you never know what you might see. Bike + Binocs = Bird-mobiling.
You can start at either end. I usually start at the North end. There’s a large gravel parking lot at the corner of Skyline & San Bruno Ave. This ride direction is a bit more difficult because there’s more uphill on the return. Also, it ensures that I do both segments (which are separated by an easy piece on the road). Walkers can stay on the path, but bikers have to veer off to connect the 2 segments. If you start at the south end, it’s off of Highway 92. For more info, check this link. Or this one.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
These photos were taken in early May. The red flowers are columbines. I’ve never seen such an abundance of columbines – thousands – just below (south of) the dam.
Great post, Jayah, and lovely photographs, too!
This looks so wonderful! I am jealous!!!