For those seeking to escape the more crowded trails of Point Reyes, there is the Olema Valley Trail. Leaving from the Five Brooks Trailhead in the Five Brooks Stables area, the Olema Valley Trail heads up and over the Point Reyes 'high country' taking you deep into lush canopied forest and through Olema Valley. The Olema Valley Trail is rife with flora and plays home to mountain lion, bobcat, deer, coyote and fox. Keep watch for Turkey Vultures and Golden Eagles, both of whom hunt regularly in this area. As the trail can be overgrown towards the Olema Valley Trailhead, long pants are always recommended.

The Olema Valley Trail begins in a dense forest canopy

Quail are commonly seen near the Five Brooks Trailheadand on the Olema Valley Trail

More than half the hike runs through a cool, moist forest canopy

As the trail opens up into Olema Valley, Red Columbine wildflowers line the path

The final stretch of trail cuts through open meadows ending at the Olema Valley Trailhead in Dogtown

A large pond adjacent to the Five Brooks Trailhead is a popular birding destination

The trail opens up to reveal Olema Valley

At times, the trail can be dense and overgrown - long pants should always be worn on the Olema Valley Trail

A small creek must be crossed before entering the final stretch to Dogtown

Beautiful wide open meadows near the Olema Valley Trailhead

At the Five Brooks Trailhead, birders enjoy viewing great blue herons, turkey vultures, pileated woodpeckers, swallows, warblers, and thrushes

A Blue Jay rests on a pine branch just off trail