Just south of Masonville off County Road 27 is a great natural area ideal for horseback riding. Bobcat Ridge has miles of trails and sweeping views of the valley and mountains.
A well-maintained parking lot with room for eight horse trailers greets visitors. The parking area is a loop with horse-trailer parking at the end for easy in-and-out access. A trough and running water are available for horses.
The trails are all well marked, but riders need to be careful to stay on those designated for horses. The horse trail heads out from the south side of the parking lot and parallels the foot and bike trail. These trails rejoin at “the shelter,” a covered picnic area with informational signs.
Here, the valley loop branches. Follow it through the valley and toward a historic cabin, or follow it west and stop at the cabin on the loop back. Following the valley loop west, head south on the Eden Valley trail or north on the Valley Loop. The Ginny Trail continues west, but is not open to horses. The western branch of the Valley Loop winds along the edge of the hills, providing varied scenery and terrain.
The only horse access to Mahoney Park is via the DR Trail, which branches off the northern end of the Valley Loop. The loop turns east across the valley, then heads back south. A short trail branches off the loop and gives access to a bathroom and picnic area near the cabin. Both these areas provide hitching posts for horses. Be careful to follow the horse part of the Valley Loop, as it winds through the valley bottom and back to the parking lot.
The trails are well maintained, and the Valley Loop provides a nice afternoon walk or a great opportunity for conditioning and schooling. Some of the trails connect to national forest and private property, so equestrians need to be careful where they ride.
Happy Trails!
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