HIKING
Fortuna is at the center of some of the most spectacular hiking in California. Surrounded by redwood trees, rivers and beaches with thousands of miles of trails, hiking here is known for beautiful scenery, an incredible number of plants and wildlife, as well as being uncrowded. With hundreds of trails to choose from, there is an endless variety of hiking at all levels — "easy" to "moderate" to "strenuous" — through old-growth redwood groves, along beautiful streams and rivers, and on the coast.
Redwood Groves off the Van Duzen River
A few miles southeast of Fortuna (along Highway 36) are 6 short hiking trails and nature walks along the Van Duzen River and through the redwood groves. Each one is easy and less than a mile long.
Centerville Beach
West of Fortuna is Centerville Beach, outside the Victorian Village of Ferndale. Flanked by spectacular cliffs of gray sandstone carved into unique formations by the ocean, hikers will see a variety of birds and sea life.
King Range Backpacking Trip
An easy summer backpacking trip along the North Coast through the King Range is good, outdoor family fun! The 28 mile, four day hike that ends in beautiful Shelter Cove is relaxing and good for the body and soul.
City Parks & Trails
The Fortuna Parks & Recreation Department offers a wide variety of activities, classes, programs, and sports leagues for all ages and interests and manages Rohner and Newburg Parks, which host festivals and events year-round. Facilities at Rohner Park include four Little League fields, batting cages, a leisure-size softball diamond, rodeo grounds, indoor roller skating rink/gymnasium, recreation hall, large playground and tot lot, basketball court, bocce ball courts, horseshoe pits, large and small picnic grounds, a pistol range, a cook shack, a deep pit barbecue, hiking and equestrian trails, and the Depot Museum. Newburg Park, a 25-acre facility, has soccer fields, two softball fields, two baseball fields, a playground, a bike park, and a picnic area. This park is lighted for evening activities and features a concession stand. Reach the Parks & Recreation Department at 707-725-7620.
Headwaters Forest Reserve
The 7,472-acre Headwaters Forest Reserve was established in 1999 after a decade-long grassroots effort to protect the world’s last unprotected, intact, old-growth redwood forest ecosystem. Several threatened species call the Reserve home, including coho salmon, the northern spotted owl, and the marbled murrelet. The Reserve is managed by the BLM in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
There are two public trails in the Reserve. The Elk River Trail winds along the South Fork Elk River for 3 miles, followed by a 2-mile ascent to a short loop through an old-growth redwood forest. Interpretive signs along the first mile of trail describe the history of Falk, the historic company mill town once located along this section of trail.
The Salmon Pass Trail, open by guided tour only, passes through spectacular old-growth and second-growth redwood forest on the south side of Headwaters. Tour guides provide a unique perspective on redwood forest ecology. The Salmon Pass trail is a four mile round-trip moderate to slightly difficult hike, taking 3-4 hours to complete. This hike is available between May 15 and November 15, weather permitting. For reservations and driving instructions, visit the Bureau of Land Management’s website.
Fortuna’s Dog Park:
Right off U.S. Highway 101 on Dinsmore Drive, you and your four-legged friend, big or small, will find tons of fenced-off space to play. After a good game of tug-of-war, take refuge under the park's shaded gazebo area or head downtown, where you’ll find lots of dog-friendly restaurants with patio seating for you and your pup.