Are dogs allowed on Historic Old Colma Road?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Historic Old Colma Road but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Historic Old Colma Road?

No, Historic Old Colma Road does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Historic Old Colma Road?

Historic Old Colma Road is rated difficult. It is 4.7 miles long with 1,867 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Is Historic Old Colma Road suitable for kids?

Historic Old Colma Road is not typically recommended for young children due to length, exposure, or technical terrain. Older kids with hiking experience may be fine — use your judgment based on your family's comfort level.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See California trail conditions

DifficultOut and Back

California

Historic Old Colma Road

Montara, California

4.7 mi

Distance

1,867 ft

Elev. Gain

Out & Back

Route Type

Difficult

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

Officially named "Half Moon Bay- Colma Road" this was the original road built by San Mateo County over San Pedro Mtn in 1879. Designed for Horse Wagon and Bicycle traffic it became impracticable with the rise of the automobiles and was replaced in 1915 by the nearby "Coastside Blvd", which survives now as Old San Pedro Mtn Road Trail. It in turn was replaced by what is now Hwy 1 in 1937 and later added the Devils Slide Tunnel. This southern section of the trail climbs to the top of San Pedro Mtn and passes through property owned by the State Parks system and Caltrans. At one point there is a steep short section over a reroute for fill from tunnel construction. Old Colma Road also was the source of the very popular and nearby Grey Whale Trail to the south. The northern decent of Old Colma down to Devils Slide trail falls almost entirely on private property and is fenced at the northern end.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:41 ft

Max:291 ft

569 ft

Trail Details

Dogs on leash

Route Type: Out & Back
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.