Alpine Trail/Sand Hill Road Trail

Location

Alpine Trail begins in Stanford Campus, passing down Sand Hill Road, West to Alpine Road. From there, the trail continues along Alpine Road through Portola Valley.

I recommend accessing the trail from Stanford Campus at the junction between Oak and Stock Farm Roads. Park along the street.

Alpine Trail can be accessed at multiple other locations along its length. Most parking is along the road or one of the cross streets to Alpine Road. However - be forewarned - the trail is not well maintained West of Santa Cruz Ave and runs dangerously close to busy Alpine Road. Traffic gets quieter in Portola Valley, but the trail still tends to be narrow and poorly maintained, here. The trail becomes dirt just past downtown Portola Valley.

Attractions:

The recommended route is a wide or two-lane, newly paved trail.
In close proximity to Stanford and a Golf Course, this route is very well kept.
Bicycles are allowed.
Dogs are allowed on leash.
There is one bench and placard near the intersection with Santa Cruz Ave, Sand Hill Rd, and Alpine Rd.
There are lizards, squirrels, and wildflowers along the trail.
This walk could be extended easily onto Stanford Campus (see www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/StanfordCampus/StanfordCampus.html) or even to the lovely Stanford Shopping Mall.
This walk could also be extended to Piers Lane & Alpine Road, where the Piers Lane trailhead for Stanford Dish is. See www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/StanfordDish/StanfordDish.html for more information.

Limitations:

As much of the trail runs alongside a busy road (Alpine or Sand Hill Roads), traffic noises can be loud.
Stay on the trail to avoid ticks and poison oak.

Season:

This trail is not restricted to any time or season.

Fees:

None.

Maps & More Information:

The trail along the recommended route is largely fenced and clearly paved. Getting lost, then, is very unlikely.
San Mateo County's Trail Descriptions: http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/smc/department/esa/home/0,2242,5556687_10575170,00.html#alpine

Handicapped Access:

The path is steeply graded only at the intersection of Sand Hill Road, Santa Cruz Ave, and Alpine Road, so this segment is not recommended for wheelchairs. There are not parking or bathroom facilities for the trail. Other parts of the recommended route seem suitable for wheelchairs. Parts of Alpine Trail West of Santa Cruz Ave are narrow and roughly paved, so are not recommended for wheelchairs.

Recommended routes:

Oak and Stock Farm Road Junction to Alpine Road start
Begin at the corner of Oak and Stock Farm Road, and walk Northwest along the wide paved path along Stock Farm Road. Follow the path as it turns West, following the perimeter of a Golf Course, over a bridge, and eventually running alongside Sand Hill Road. Continue West, passing beneath Santa Cruz Ave via an underpass. Continue from the underpass, following the edge of the golf course, until the trail emerges alongside Alpine Road. After a few blocks along Alpine Road, the trail becomes much rougher (older pavement) and narrower, occasionally immediately adjacent to busy Alpine Road, and other times "invisible" as a quiet road off of Alpine Road, next to residences. I recommend turning around as soon as the rough path begins and returning the way you came. Total distance is about 2 miles.