Within the last year, I’ve started taking long weekend walks on local trails with friends on a semi-regular basis both as a way to get exercise and to spend time connecting with people I care about. We usually end the walk with a shared snack and then go about the rest of our weekends feeling ref reshed. Time in nature and in great company is definitely good for the soul. Through these walks, I’ve discovered local trails I didn’t even know existed, even after living in the Fresno/Clovis area my entire life. I figured if I didn’t know about them, there are likely others who are still unaware too. So I wanted to take a moment to share my three favorite hyper-local trails, for those days when you’d love a longer walk but can’t fit in a drive to the foothills or mountains. 1. Fancher Creek Trail Located in Sunnyside, this trail runs along Fancher Creek, which flows with water at varying levels depending on current flood control conditions. What makes it special is the incredible biodiversity — you’ll spot tropical-looking palms and wide-leafed plants, bamboo, weeping willows with branches that sway and float in the creek, cactus gardens, and towering eucalyptus trees. In the fall, deciduous trees drop a blanket of colorful leaves along the path. Mature trees provide a considerable amount of shade throughout, making this trail especially lovely on warmer days. The trail runs just over a mile in total. Parking is available at the trailhead at Clovis Butler Avenues, and there are a few benches along the way. One heads-up: there are no public restrooms here, so plan accordingly. Best for: Warmer days, nature lovers, anyone who wants a shady, scenic mile-long stroll. 2. Tesoro Viejo Trail System Tesoro Viejo is a newer master-planned community located just north of Fresno off Highway 41 in Madera County. At the heart of the neighborhood is Axis Coffee, which is open to the public and makes a great meeting point before hitting the more than 15 miles of trails that branch off into the rolling hills surrounding the area. I recently walked one of these trails for the first time and was genuinely surprised by how much the scenery changed over a relatively short distance — mountain views, wildflowers, blossoms, and stream crossings, all on gently rolling terrain with only minor inclines. Despite the surrounding neighborhood, the trails never felt crowded, likely because there’s just so much ground to cover. Since you’re starting near the coffee shop, you have easy access to restrooms, parking, and post-walk food. Axis is located at 4150 Town Center Blvd, Suite 102, Madera. Best for: Variety seekers and coffee lovers. Shade is minimal, so go early on warm days. 3. Dry Creek Trail As someone who grew up on the west side of Fresno, my Clovis exploration has been more limited — though I’m actively working on that. Until just last month, I’d never walked Dry Creek Trail, and I have to say, I was genuinely impressed. The trail branches off from Dry Creek Park, located on Clovis Avenue just north of Alluvial, and winds along a creek (which, when I visited, was not dry) alongside neighborhoods and beneath towering, mature trees. The 2.5-mile paved path is stroller-friendly, and the majority of it offers shade or at least partial shade. Restrooms are available at both the start and end of the trail, which is a nice bonus. This trail is busier than the others, so be prepared to share the path — but it makes for a very pleasant walk. And when you finish, you’re steps away from the Clovis Botanical Gardens, also located within Dry Creek Park. Definitely worth a stroll through before you head home. Best for: Families with strollers, shade-seekers, and anyone who wants to pair their walk with a garden visit. Go early for easier parking and quieter crowds. If you’re a Fresno/Clovis local who’s been sleeping on these trails like I was, I hope this gives you the nudge you need to lace up and get out there. Whether you go solo, bring a friend, or make it a whole group thing, each of these trails offers something a little different — and all three are worth your time. Fill your water bottle, grab a snack for after, put on your sunscreen, and enjoy these great trails! ...read more read less