Fun Hikes and Walks in and Around Yountville

Tourism in Napa Valley includes shopping, wine tasting, restaurant-hopping, wine tours, and hot air balloon rides, just to name a few.

All of these activities do cost a few dollars which all the communities in Napa Valley encourage because tourist dollars, for the most part, remain in Napa Valley communities as a funding source for many municipal funding of infrastructure needs.

There are, of course, many activities throughout Napa Valley that cost absolutely nothing but a little of your time and some physical activity. These activities would be hiking and walking the many trails in around Napa Valley.

Here are some ideas and featured  locations in and around Yountville.

• Begin your day early in the morning walk in Yountville (remember to bring a nice cup of coffee from where you might be staying in and around the town) by walking the city streets beginning at the south end of town by St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. Admire and take pictures of the some of the famous vineyards surrounding the church.
• Continue walking north toward downtown and you will (if early enough, around 6:30 A.M.) be accompanied on your walk by the sound and view of hot air balloons soaring overhead.
• On your way to the north end of town, take a left hand turn  at Veteran’s Park and follow the walking/bike path known today as Bikers Mile, which will take you  near to the V Market Place. Cross over at that point and you will be in the center of Yountville ready to view the very famous restaurants located along Washington and Yount Streets.

•  These restaurants include Bistro Jeanty, Ad Hoc, Red, Buchon  and the very famous French Laundry (an excellent photo shoot location).
• You will notice along this walk, numerous art exhibits and sculptures located throughout  the town donated by several artists of Napa Valley.
• Continue to stroll Washington and Yount Streets taking you by V Market Place, which at one time was the location of Groezingers Winery and renamed Vintage 1870 in the early 1970’s. At this location you will find some very tantalizing shops to visit later in the day.

• Strolling north through town you will discover several Bed and Breakfast locations as well as very quaint reconstructed and original homes of Old Town Yountville.
• As you reach the north end of town, walkers will see the city park adjacent to the Yountville Cemetery in which is buried the founder of Yountville (originally named Sevastopol in the early years, 1870-1900), George C. Yount. At this point you have reached the city limits of Yountville and are now ready to locate other walking and hiking spots of the town.
• Next on the list is a very picturesque walk along Yount Mill Road(located two blocks east  of the Yountville City park.) This very leisurely walk (approximately 1.5 miles ) takes you alongside beautiful vineyards, and photo opportunities of Napa Valley landscapes.
• Along the road notice the beautiful valley oak trees, wildflowers,  rock quarry, cattle grazing area. At the end of the first 1.5 miles, you will see the Napa River and the site of Gorge C. Yount’s Grist Mill.
• You now  have the choice of returning to town along the same route  or continuing your walk (another 1.5 miles) to the end of the road where you will see private homes along the river. At the grist mill site, walk along the banks of the Napa River to Yountville Cross Roads to reenter the town limits.
• Other walks and hikes include a very beautiful walk/ hike to the California Veteran’s Home directly west of town and Domain Chandon Winery next to the Vet’s Home.
• Above the California  Veteran’s Home, continue up the hill above the Veteran’s’ hospital.(Holderman Hospital). and  up towards the Yountville Veteran’s Home Cemetery which includes four medal of honor  recipients and graves from the Civil War to the present war in Afghanistan. This hike is a little more strenuous as there is significant elevation involved.
• Directly above the cemetery is the trail head toVeterans’ Peak, highest elevation (1,858 ft.) in Yountville proper which will offer stunning views of the valley including  Yountville Vintners Golf  Course, Vet’s home proper, and picture opportunities of several vineyards and wineries. This is a especially a beautiful hike during the late fall season when all of  the vineyards are bathed  in their gorgeous fall colors.