If you want to go

Where: Windy Hill Open Space Preserve

Location: Peninsula foothills from Skyline Ridge to Portola Valley.

Access: Trailheads near Portola Valley and Skyline/Highway 35.

Cost: Parking, access free.

Map/brochure: Map/brochure at trailheads; www.openspace.org.

Dogs: Leashed dogs permitted on most trails, designated on map. They include Spring Ridge, Hamms Gulch and Anniversary trails, which can be connected with other dog-friendly trails for full loop trek; bag and pack out waste.

Horses, mountain bikes: Allowed on designated trails; bikes must yield to horses, hikers, then pass at 5 mph.

HOW TO GET THERE

Portola Valley Trailhead: Drive to Interstate 280 on the Peninsula and continue on I-280 to the foothills west of Menlo Park and Stanford and the exit for Sand Hill Road. Take that exit 0.2 miles to Sand Hill Road. Turn west (right if coming from the north/San Francisco) on Sand Hill Road. Drive 2.1 miles (becomes Portola Road) and continue straight onto Portola Road for 2.5 miles to signed parking on right. Note: Additional parking 0.4 miles away at Portola Valley Town Center. Distances: 5 miles from Woodside, 9 miles from Palo Alto, 25 miles from San Bruno, 35 miles from Hayward, 36 miles from San Francisco, 43 miles from Sausalito.

Skyline Trailhead: Drive to Interstate 280 on the Peninsula, continue on I-280 to Woodside and the exit for Woodside Road/Highway 84. Take the exit to Woodside Road, turn west (right if coming from the north/San Francisco) and drive 6.5 miles through Woodside to Sky Londa and Skyline Boulevard/Highway 35. Turn left on Skyline and drive 2.3 miles to trailhead on left. Distances: 9 miles from Woodside, 12 miles from Palo Alto, 25 miles from San Bruno, 35 miles from Hayward, 37 miles from San Francisco, 44 miles from Sausalito.

Contacts: Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, (650) 691-1200, www.openspace.org.