Did you know about this scenic public trail project taking shape in Napa Valley?
The Napa Valley Vine Trail began as a simple yet ambitious idea in the late ’90s to create a car-free path that lets people walk or bike the length of California’s famous Napa Valley.
It launched into active development in 2008, and now, nearly 2 decades later, the Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition has constructed about 33 of the planned 47 miles, most of which just opened in 2025.
Napa Valley Vine Trail sections
Here’s a quick breakdown of sections along the Napa Valley Vine Trail, from north to south:
- ✅ 8.2 miles from Calistoga to St. Helena: Finished and opened to the public in 2025
- ❌ 11 miles from St. Helena to Yountville (through Oakville & Rutherford): In development
- ✅ 12.5 miles from Yountville to Napa: Finished and opened to the public in 2012
- ❌ 3 miles from Napa to American Canyon (through Vista Carneros): In development
- ✅ 7.5 miles from American Canyon to Vallejo (7.5 miles): Finished and opened to the public in 2025
The full Napa Valley Vine Trail is expected to be finished by 2028, according to The Press Democrat.
Exploring the Napa Valley Vine Trail
The route is planned and marketed as a Class I, paved, family-friendly path that connects ten AVAs (American Viticultural Areas). In fact, trail users can reach 236 wineries, 45 parks, 81 restaurants, 69 schools, 40 grocery stores, and 59 bus stops, all within one mile of the trail.
Today, you can already enjoy the finished sections of the Vine Trail as a scenic, car-free way to explore Napa Valley. The finished stretches are fully paved, signed, and popular among cyclists and walkers.
As the Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition works to finish creating the final 14 miles of trail, they’re hosting ongoing community events where anyone can come and connect with the project. The next one is a Finish Line Rally bike ride on Sunday, June 7th.
