Experience Napa Valley’s ‘Great Outdoors’ from the UpValley Inn
Summer and fall 2020 are all about The Great American Road Trip. Being able to drive to a destination in a few hours — at most a little more than a day — stay at a comfortable hotel like UpValley Inn & Hot Springs, and then get outside and experience nature away from it all is the way most people are choosing to vacation this year.
While the Napa Valley area is known for wine tasting — and many wineries with outside tasting areas are open — there’s an entire outdoor adventure experience in the wine region that most people overlook. After spending the spring locked inside doing countless Zoom calls, most people just want to unplug and be outside discovering nature. And Calistoga’s UpValley Inn & Hot Springs puts you right in the center of it all.
Where To Start Your Napa Valley Outdoor Adventure
Start your outdoor getaway in the Napa Valley by taking advantage of our This Is How We Roll bike packages and you’re hooked up with great accommodations and bicycles. If you already have your own bicycles, then maybe you’ll opt for our Winner Winner Chicken Dinner Package and enjoy an amazing chicken dinner from Evangeline French Bistro delivered to your room after a day out and about exploring. You’ll also be happy to know we have an on-site bike station at the property, which features tune-up tools and an air station to keep your ride as smooth as possible.
Once you’ve gotten settled at our Calistoga hotel, the amazing Oat Hill Mine Trail is literally 1,050 feet from our driveway and it’s the perfect spot to bike or hike at your own pace. Download the trail brochure here and then set off on a day of exploration as you follow the 8.3 mile trail, which was an old stagecoach route between Calistoga and the western end of Aetna Springs Road in Pope Valley with an elevation change of 1500 feet.
Before you get started, you might want to power up with some caffeine! Head into downtown Calistoga and grab a cup of coffee at Calistoga Roastery nearby at 1426 Lincoln Avenue. They open at 6:30 a.m. and will help you re-java-nate with plenty of energy for your cycling adventure. The second stop might be the Palisades Eatery at 1414 Lincoln Avenue so you can have them pack up a picnic lunch for a midday break during your ride. They even have curbside pickup so you can order in advance and just grab your food as you are ready to head out.
The Best Napa Valley Hiking and Biking Trails
The Oat Hill Mine Trail is perfect for hikers and mountain bikers. The lower Oat Hill Mine Trail offers magnificent views of the Napa Valley, while the middle and upper sections of the trail cross striking volcanic formations. It passes through a diverse mixture of Oak, Douglas Fir, Gray Pine and Cypress forests, chaparral, and grasslands and the wildflowers are exceptional in season.
Still need some convincing? Just check out how Instagram-worthy the trail is by seeing posts tagged with #oathillmine trail here. Whether you choose to hike or bike, it’s definitely an amazing experience and a reminder to stop and just enjoy the amazing Calistoga outdoors.
Other cool hiking and biking trails for outdoor adventures in Calistoga include Bothe-Napa Valley State Park and Robert Louis Stevenson State Park.
If you want something more organized, our friends at Calistoga Bike Tours offer guided bike tours, self-guided tours of Calistoga wineries, and some cool cycling gear as well. Check them out just down the street at 1318 Lincoln Avenue or online here.
Other Activities To Add To Your List
Other things to see and do outside in Calistoga and the Napa Valley region include a visit to the Old Faithful Geyser, enjoying a canoe or kayak trip down the Russian River, taking a hot air balloon ride, going horseback riding, exploring the Petrified Forest, or a safari excursion at the Sonoma Serengeti, Safari West.
The front desk team at the Up Valley Inn is more than happy to answer any questions you have or provide recommendations on the best ways to experience the Napa Valley outdoors. Feel free to contact us at any time at 707-942-9400.