I’ve wanted to check out the Grape Stomp and You-Walk Miwok Loop and Bartholomew Memorial Park in Sonoma since moving to Napa. I’ve heard it’s beautiful and great for a short, intense run.
Grape Stomp and You-Walk Miwok Loop is a 2.4-mile loop located in Bartholomew Memorial Park trail. You start in Vineyards and find yourself in secluded oak woodland. Plus, you can see the entire Sonoma Valley, both historic wineries and the Golden Gate Bridge on a clear day. 2.4 miles seems easy, but believe me, I underrated this hike, and it’s tough.
Bartholomew Memorial Park History:
In addition to the Grape Stomp and You-Walk Miwok Loop, there are wineries located at Bartholomew Memorial Park: Buena Vista Winery or Bartholomew Park Winery.
The Buena Vista Winery’s birth was in 1861 when Hungarian Count Agoston Haraszthywho planted grapevines and created a winery to process them.
Only a decade later, the vines were wiped out by Phylloxera, and Haraszthy left. He passed away in 1869 in Central America, and the winery and villa later burned. The Buena Vista Winery sat vacantly and was later replaced by a replica.
In 1943, the Buena Vista Winery was purchased by Frank Bartholomew. They eventually sold it, but after Frank’s death, the Bartholomew Memorial Park and Grape Stomp and You-Walk Miwok Loop were created and now even has the Bartholomew Park Winery tasting room.
About Grape Stomp and You-Walk Miwok Loop:
To get to Bartholomew Memorial Park is fairly easy. It’s tucked back behind a residential area at the foothills of a small mountain. You can see the Alltrails map here. Once you arrive, there are about 10 spots at Batholomew Memorial Park and the trailhead. It doesn’t matter which way you start the hike, and there is both a north and south trailhead from the parking lot. I went through the south trailhead and passed through a gate with a park map, elevation notice, as well as mountain lion notice.
You’ll cross a stream and head up. From the start of the Grape Stomp and You-Walk Miwok Loop, you are climbing, and there are several loose rocks. Having good shoes is not a maybe; it’s a definite. I used the Hoka One One Challenger 6.
Over the course of 2.4 miles, you’ll go over many single track trails, loose rocks, and you’ll climb a lot of stairs. This is a fairly technical trail, and even while walk-running, I was averaging about 16 min miles. The Grape Stomp and You-Walk Miwok Loop eventually reach the summit of 640 feet, where you get a clear view of Sonoma Valley.
From there, you’ll head down what feels like an endless flight of stairs followed by feeling like you are trespassing on the Buena Vista Vineyards (you aren’t if you stay on the trail). It is fun to see behind the scenes of a local Vineyard. Suddenly, around 2.4 miles, you find yourself back at your car.
I enjoyed the Grape Stomp and You-Walk Miwok Loop, but it’s challenging. I’ll be honest; I underestimated how challenging I thought it was…I should have known a 500-foot climb in 2.4 miles wasn’t going to be easy but throw in the stairs, stream crossings, and loose rock. It made for a tough day.
That being said, I loved it, and I know I’ll be back to Grape Stomp and You-Walk Miwok Loop and Bartholomew Memorial Park Soon. The views are beautiful and there is a mix of gorgeous wooded area and sweeping views of the Sonoma Valley. I would plan somewhere between 1-2 hours for the entire hike. If you are in the Sonoma area, I highly suggest checking it out.
You can see more hikes here.
Questions for you:
Have you underestimated a hike lately?
What is your favorite local hike?