Sonoma County’s annual Trails Challenge encourages getting outdoors

Getting kids excited about going for a hike isn’t always easy.

But the Lewis family of Santa Rosa - Dave, Heidi, Ryder, 8, and Hunter, 12 - have found a way to get their crew in motion by participating in the Trails Challenge sponsored by Sonoma County Regional Parks.

The annual event, which caters to all ages and kicks off Saturday with a fun run and party at Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sebastopol, establishes the goal of hiking, running, biking or riding at least five county trails between now and September.

The Lewises, who have participated in the challenge for several years, explore a different county park on weekends, logging their experiences online. At the end of the summer, the boys earn certificates noting their accomplishment.

“It gives kids a goal and inspires them to get out there and walk,” Heidi Lewis said.

Regardless of age or ability, a goal can be helpful motivation for getting outdoors. Sonoma County has more than 50 regional parks and more than 150 miles of trails for running, hiking and biking. That’s a lot of choices and places to explore.

The four-month Trails Challenge can act as a handy guide, mapping out adventures across the county’s entire expanse of outdoor playgrounds, from coastal bluffs to mountain peaks, and alongside rivers and streams. Urban dwellers will find opportunities close to home.

A handbook is available at sonomacountyparks.org. Limited print editions are available at Regional Parks’ office, 2300 County Center Drive, Suite 120A, in Santa Rosa, and at staffed entries to Spring Lake and Ragle Ranch parks.

Six new trails have been added to this year’s challenge:

Umbrella Tree Trail at North Sonoma Mountain

Santa Rosa Creek Trail at Hood Mountain, from the Los Alamos entrance

West County Trail from Forestville to Graton

Maxwell Farms outside Sonoma

Cloverdale River Park

Shorttail Gulch Coastal Access Trail

More than 700 people have completed the Trails Challenge since 2014. The average distance covered during the event, which is geared toward all fitness levels, is 20 to 25 miles.

Participants in the 2016 trails challenge ranked the favorite parks, topped by Shiloh Ranch, Spring Lake, Pinnacle Guild and Riverfront (tied), North Sonoma Mountain and Taylor Mountain.

Finishers who turn in an online trails log will get a Trails Challenge T-shirt until supplies run out. Those who post a photo of themselves taking the challenge using the #SonomaCountyParks #TrailsChallenge hashtags are eligible for monthly giveaways of REI trail gear or park memberships.

Kids also receive a free nature-themed book from the Sonoma County Library.

Saturday’s kick-off event at Ragle Ranch park is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features a run/walk, a family-friendly scavenger hunt, guided hike, live music, nature crafts, lawn games, barbecue, foods from local producers, cake, prizes, and giveaways.

The run/walk starts at ?10 a.m., with the other activities taking place throughout the day. Parking is $7 or free for Regional Parks members.

Registration for the ?1.5-mile run/walk is $15 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under, with proceeds going to the Regional Parks Foundation.

At 9 a.m., the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition will lead a 2.5-mile family-friendly ride to the park from Sebastopol Community Center. Helmets and bikes required. Organizers ask that bikes with training wheels and scoot bikes stay at home.

You can reach Staff Writer Derek Moore at 707-521-5336 or derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @deadlinederek.