Perimeter Loop

The Perimter Loop is one of numerous marked trails inside Hidden Valley Regional Park.

The 2.4 mile loop path encounters a variety of terrains - from wide graded gravel to rocky narrow single track to windy mellow switchbacks - across its length. Those looking for a longer walk that remains moderately easy should opt to take on the Perimeter Loop. While there are several parking areas directly beside the path, we started at the first parking lot near the playgrounds and tennis courts. Bathrooms and water are available here. 

Hitting the trail in a clockwise direction, the path soon hits a mellow ascent toward the colorful lower slopes of the Virginia range. Following the back of the park and passing by a couple gates to the backcountry park trails such as the Highland Loop, the path slowly gains in elevation, hitting its highest point at the park's southeast corner. Here, away from the developed features and areas of the park, hikers and walkers will find elevated unobstructed views of the Reno and Sparks city skylines, as well as the faces of Mt Rose and the Sierra Nevada mountains. As Hidden Valley Park sits at the eastern extreme of Reno, this trail makes for an unparalleled viewpoint of those dramatic sunsets that paint the city sky.

While markers sign the Perimeter Loop, there are a lot of smaller paths and trails throughout the park, so some navigation may still come in useful, though really you can just wander and the main area of the park is never far from view and easy to find your way back to.

The loop reaches its endpoint at 2.4 miles. Hikers might find themselves sharing portions of the path with mountain bikers and might catch glimpses of the feral horses that wander into the park on occasion.

Hidden Valley Regional Park is open from 8am to 9pm daily.