Trails

We are blessed with amazing trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains. From the bluffs overlooking the mighty Pacific, through coastal prairies, up redwood-studded canyons to oak- and madrone-covered hilltops, there's something for everyone.

If you run into a trail hazard you'd like to report, you can always notify our team by emailing [email protected].

Help Maintain Trails
Report Trail Hazards with TrailForks

Explore

We’ve put together this map for you to explore everything your local trails have to offer.

Featured Trail Networks

Check out these networks where we've completed trail work.

  • open
    E-Bikes Allowed
    Wilder Ranch State Park
    Wilder Ranch is home to some of Santa Cruz’s most iconic trails and views. On the coastal side of Highway One, trails wind along the bluffs overlooking the Pacific. On the inland side of the highway, trails climb up rolling grasslands that overlook the ocean, and dip down into verdant redwood-timbered drainages. Wilder offers miles of fire roads and singletrack options.
  • open
    E-Bikes NOT Allowed
    Soquel Demonstration State Forest
    *SDSF is closed M-F through Oct. 15, 2024, for timber operations—only open weekends. Soquel Demonstration State Forest (SDSF, colloquially known as Demo), a 2,681-acre working forest established in 1990 and managed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). SDSF is a favorite destination for Bay Area and Santa Cruz County mountain bikers and contains trails for intermediate and advanced riders, with long climbs and challenging technical descents.
  • open
    E-Bikes Allowed
    Pogonip
    Pogonip is a City of Santa Cruz Open Space and offers 8 miles of trail access for hikers, cyclists and equestrians. Approximately 2.5 miles are open to bikes: Rincon Connector, Rincon Road, and U-Con Trail plus the MBOSC-built Emma McCrary Trail, a beginner-friendly, 1.5-mile multi-use trail that provides vehicle-free access to UCSC from downtown Santa Cruz.
  • open
    E-Bikes Allowed
    DeLaveaga Park
    This City of Santa Cruz park offers multi-use trails that are easily accessible right from the heart of Santa Cruz and includes some great singletrack options. SCMTS is currently working with the city on a plan to improve and expand mountain bike access to the park.
  • open
    E-Bikes NOT Allowed
    Big Basin Redwoods State Park
    Big Basin is California's oldest state park and is home to ancient coast redwood giants. Hikers, cyclists and equestrians can enjoy select trails throughout the park's massive 80-mile network. 
  • open
    E-Bikes Allowed
    Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
    Henry Cowell is famous for its towering old-growth coastal redwoods. The park offers something for everyone - equestrians, cyclists and hikers may all enjoy select trails throughout the park. Visit the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Parks website here for the latest tips on how to best enjoy all that this beautiful park has to offer.
  • open
    E-Bikes Allowed
    Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
    Nisene Marks State Park offers over 30 miles of trails to hikers, equestrians and cyclists. Horses and bikes are only allowed on Aptos Creek Fire Road and a small network of singletrack trails in the lower portion of the park. Cyclists who want a bit more of a challenge may climb the 13 miles of Aptos Creek Fire Road to the trail system in Soquel Demonstration State Forest.
  • open
    E-bikes are allowed on fire roads at the UCSC Natural Preserve. All bicycles are prohibited on singletrack trails.
    University of California, Santa Cruz
    University of California, Santa Cruz’s Upper Campus Preserve provides fire road connectivity between Pogonip, Henry Cowell, and Wilder Ranch State Park. Cyclists, equestrians and hikers are currently allowed on access roads only and prohibited on singletrack trails. SCMTS is advocating with UCSC for a trail plan that would incorporate legal trail use.