Milagra Ridge, off Sharp Park Road/College Drive, Pacifica, CA
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Milagra Ridge is in Pacifica, near where Sharp Park Road and College Drive meet. The entrance is on somewhat of a blind curve on Sharp Park Road, and is a short 0.25 mile extension from the main part of College Drive, ending with limited roadside parking at the gate to Milagra Ridge. Can be reached from Highway 1 or Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35).
(Information links are sometimes changed at the source unexpectedly. We do our best to update.)
Milagra Ridge information:
https://www.nps.gov/goga/miri.htm
Milagra Ridge Accessibility information:
Steep stairs and narrow trails are available for hikers, but there is also the paved Milagra Ridge Road that reaches from the parking area to an overlook to Pacifica and the Pacific, smooth enough for wheelchairs or bikes. (Bikes allowed only on paved areas.)
Maps with trails:
https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/upload/Milagra-Ridge-trail-map-web_2016_small.pdf
Distance: You can do a same-trail out-and-back hike at Milagra Ridge, or mix and match the Milagra Ridge Trail and paved Milagra Ridge Road to the old Nike Missile site concrete structure and overlook area to make an approximately 1.5 mile loop. The trails up the steps from the parking area as well as another set of stairs to a summit overlook are the only steep climbs. It is possible to make a gentle sloping walk without the stairs at Milagra Ridge by taking the paved entrance from the parking area. Check the trail map to see possible trail combinations.
Considerations: Roadside parking is limited. When we arrive and can’t find a spot, we chalk it up to luck of the day and scoot down the coast to do another nearby walk at Mori Point. Try again next time.
Milagra Ridge is the site of threatened/endangered species including Mission Blue butterflies, San Bruno elfin butterflies, and California red-legged frogs. Pets are allowed on leash, and hikers are asked to stay on trails due to habitat issues.
Poison oak is a potential issue for any of the hikes noted on this web site, including Milagra Ridge. Sometimes it’s harder to spot the poison oak in this kind of chaparral terrain with its scrubby coyote brush. We keep Technu poison oak scrub handy just in case.
A toilet facility is available in the middle of the Milagra Ridge hiking area, visible from most parts of the trail.
The trail:
Milagra Ridge is one of several former Nike missile sites in the area. The hike from the parking area leads to a beautiful lower overlook with stunning views. The remains of concrete military structures here make for a snack time seat.
The plant life at Milagra Ridge is mostly low scrubby brush. Visual hallmarks of the Milagra Ridge trails include gently curving wood post fence lines.
There is a stairway trail leading to the top of a hill for a higher overlook view. Many stretches along the ridge offer glorious views of the Pacific. You can see the Pacifica pier, Mori Point, and Pedro Point in the distance facing south. There are few trees to block the views.
Milagra Ridge would make a lovely place to see the sun set, though we’ve always enjoyed it in late morning or early afternoon.
As usual, the photo gallery here includes images from both blue sky days and overcast days. It’s beautiful either way.
(Milagra Ridge Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Trying Something New” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Milagra Ridge is in Pacifica, near where Sharp Park Road and College Drive meet. The entrance is on somewhat of a blind curve on Sharp Park Road, and is a short 0.25 mile extension from the main part of College Drive, ending with limited roadside parking at the gate to Milagra Ridge. Can be reached from Highway 1 or Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35).
(Information links are sometimes changed at the source unexpectedly. We do our best to update.)
Milagra Ridge information:
https://www.nps.gov/goga/miri.htm
Milagra Ridge Accessibility information:
Steep stairs and narrow trails are available for hikers, but there is also the paved Milagra Ridge Road that reaches from the parking area to an overlook to Pacifica and the Pacific, smooth enough for wheelchairs or bikes. (Bikes allowed only on paved areas.)
Maps with trails:
https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/upload/Milagra-Ridge-trail-map-web_2016_small.pdf
Distance: You can do a same-trail out-and-back hike at Milagra Ridge, or mix and match the Milagra Ridge Trail and paved Milagra Ridge Road to the old Nike Missile site concrete structure and overlook area to make an approximately 1.5 mile loop. The trails up the steps from the parking area as well as another set of stairs to a summit overlook are the only steep climbs. It is possible to make a gentle sloping walk without the stairs at Milagra Ridge by taking the paved entrance from the parking area. Check the trail map to see possible trail combinations.
Considerations: Roadside parking is limited. When we arrive and can’t find a spot, we chalk it up to luck of the day and scoot down the coast to do another nearby walk at Mori Point. Try again next time.
Milagra Ridge is the site of threatened/endangered species including Mission Blue butterflies, San Bruno elfin butterflies, and California red-legged frogs. Pets are allowed on leash, and hikers are asked to stay on trails due to habitat issues.
Poison oak is a potential issue for any of the hikes noted on this web site, including Milagra Ridge. Sometimes it’s harder to spot the poison oak in this kind of chaparral terrain with its scrubby coyote brush. We keep Technu poison oak scrub handy just in case.
A toilet facility is available in the middle of the Milagra Ridge hiking area, visible from most parts of the trail.
The trail:
Milagra Ridge is one of several former Nike missile sites in the area. The hike from the parking area leads to a beautiful lower overlook with stunning views. The remains of concrete military structures here make for a snack time seat.
The plant life at Milagra Ridge is mostly low scrubby brush. Visual hallmarks of the Milagra Ridge trails include gently curving wood post fence lines.
There is a stairway trail leading to the top of a hill for a higher overlook view. Many stretches along the ridge offer glorious views of the Pacific. You can see the Pacifica pier, Mori Point, and Pedro Point in the distance facing south. There are few trees to block the views.
Milagra Ridge would make a lovely place to see the sun set, though we’ve always enjoyed it in late morning or early afternoon.
As usual, the photo gallery here includes images from both blue sky days and overcast days. It’s beautiful either way.
(Milagra Ridge Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Trying Something New” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
