Cathedral Hills – Walker Trailhead

Walker Trailhead – Cathedral Hills is a 4 mile loop within the 10 miles of trails in Cathedral Hills.

Driving
– The Walker Trailhead is hidden in a semi-rural neighborhood of Grants Pass. From Ashland Plaza just get to Interstate 5 and head north towards Medford and Grants Pass.

But Wait! Exit before Grants Pass at the City of Rogue River Exit #55. Turn left under the interstate and across the Rogue River and turn right on Highway 99. 5 or 6 miles along the river and keep your eyes open for Fruitdale Road to your left. That splits into some Grants Pass neighborhoods and when you start feeling suburban, look for CloverLawn Drive. Turn left. CloverLawns jogs left and right a couple times and when it spit you out into the farmlands, you will pass Walker Road.

I know – we are going to the Walker Trailhead – stay with me. The next road is Summit. Turn right and in half a mile Walker Road will come in from the right and as you continue forward, you are now on Walker Road. That’s right… magic! In another half mile the road turns left and the trailhead parking is right there.

Parking
– It’s not huge, it’s not paved, but it does have some decent signage. Park politely and 10 cars can fit in. Park like a jerk and that can become 3 cars really quick.

The Adventure
– There are 10 miles of Cathedral Hills trails, but we are just doing 4 of them right now. Walker Trailhead to the Wild Rose Loop.

Head up the Walker Trail switchbacks and at the first signpost veer left on the Cloverlawn Loop. Next intersection/signpost, left again onto Lower Hogback trail. Next intersection, left again on Backside Loop. Next signpost/intersection, left on the ‘W’ Trail. Finally, the wordy sign posts are over. You have about 3 miles of up and down semi-shaded trail with a loop that brings you back to this intersection.

Be careful, to get back to the Walker Trailhead simply make a series of rights from here. But if you want to explore, download or print out THIS MAP. You can easily get lost. You won’t die, but a couple of wrong turns and you might miss Jeopardy and your dinner reservations.