Trail maintenance in Santa Cruz Mountains

Take A Hike!

Crisscrossing the Santa Cruz Mountains are miles of trails offering opportunities for hikers, horseback riders, and bike riders to experience the coast redwoods up close. The trails, many of which were created by Sempervirens Fund, travel through serene redwood forests, across picturesque grasslands, and along rocky ridgelines connecting public parks and other protected lands in the region. Whether you enjoy leisurely strolls in the forest, riding down steep hillsides, or backpacking, come explore the Santa Cruz Mountains!

Sempervirens Fund offers two trail maps to help guide you on your way.

Map 1 includes the entire network of trails connecting Castle Rock, Big Basin Redwoods, and Portola Redwoods State Parks.

Map 2 includes Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Butano Redwoods State Park, Año Nuevo State Reserve, and all internal and connecting trails.

Call us at (650) 949-1453 to order a map today!

Guided Hikes

We will be having a docent led hike August 7 and would love for you to come! The hike will be on the Pine Mountain Loop, starting in Little Basin then heading into Big Basin for a number of great viewpoints. Our volunteer docents will tell you what you are seeing along the way, both in the distance and on the ground around you. From this trail, you will catch glimpses of a number of prominent spots in Big Basin, as well as the ocean and—weather permitting—all the way to Castle Rock!

This 6-mile hike is moderately strenuous, with 1200 ft. elevation gain. It will take approximately 6 hours. Please come prepared with plenty of water and a lunch, as well as good hiking shoes. Meet at 9:45am at the picnic area of Little Basin (park your car, then walk straight down the road past headquarters). Hike will start at 10:00am sharp.

If you would like to go , please RSVP to lventocilla@sempervirens.org and include the number of hikers.

See you on the trails!

Getting to Little Basin

Featured Hikes

Sempervirens 236

Come see our recent land acquisition! This 107-acre piece of land is located adjacent to Castle Rock State Park, near the intersection of Highways 9 and 236. There are two trails that go through the property that are open to the public. Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail runs along the western edge. This trail is 35 miles long, but you can try out just a mile or two and check out this newly protected forest. Park in the large pullout on Highway 9, just north of the 236 intersection. Trailhead is located by parking lot. The Saratoga Toll Road Trail also goes through the property. You can start the trail in Castle Rock. See map for parking area and trailhead on Highway 9. You can also get to this from the Skyline-to-the-Sea trail.

Sempervirens 236 map Locator Map

Castle Rock Loop

If you’re looking for a short hike—just a reason to get outside on a warm day—try the Castle Rock Loop. It’s a very easy hike through the redwoods that begins at the main entrance to Castle Rock State Park. The trail is 1.5 miles long and there is only an approximately 400 foot elevation change. This is a great hike for families.

Castle Rock Loop map Locator Map

Big Basin Headquarters to Mt. McAbee Overlook

For a more challenging hike, from Big Basin Park Headquarters hike the Skyline to the Sea Trail until it meets the Howard King Trail. Turn left and hike up to the summit of Mt. McAbee (1,730 ft). Then continue on to Headquarters via the Hihn Hammond Road and Howard King Trail. You will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the Waddell Creek watershed out toward the Pacific Ocean. This hike is a strenuous 10+ miles due to its length and significant elevation gain/loss.

Equestrians can reach the Mt. McAbee Overlook via Hihn Hammond Road, which runs roughly parallel to the Howard King Trail.

Big Basin HQ to Mt. McAbee Overlook map
Locator Map



Take A Hike! Crisscrossing the Santa Cruz Mountains are miles of trails offering opportunities for hikers, horseback riders, and bike riders to experience the coast redwoods up close. The trails, many of which were created by Sempervirens Fund, travel through serene redwood forests, across picturesque grasslands, and along rocky ridgelines connecting public parks and other protected lands in the region. Whether you enjoy leisurely strolls in the forest, riding down steep hillsides, or backpacking, come explore the Santa Cruz Mountains! Sempervirens Fund offers two trail maps to help guide you on your way. Map 1 includes the entire network of trails connecting Castle Rock, Big Basin Redwoods, and Portola Redwoods State Parks. Map 2 includes Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Butano Redwoods State Park, Año Nuevo State Reserve, and all internal and connecting trails. Call us at (650) 949-1453 to order a map today! Guided Hikes We will be having a docent led hike August 7 and would love for you to come! The hike will be on the Pine Mountain Loop, starting in Little Basin then heading into Big Basin for a number of great viewpoints. Our volunteer docents will tell you what you are seeing along the way, both in the distance and on the ground around you. From this trail, you will catch glimpses of a number of prominent spots in Big Basin, as well as the ocean and—weather permitting—all the way to Castle Rock! This 6-mile hike is moderately strenuous, with 1200 ft. elevation gain. It will take approximately 6 hours. Please come prepared with plenty of water and a lunch, as well as good hiking shoes. Meet at 9:45am at the picnic area of Little Basin (park your car, then walk straight down the road past headquarters). Hike will start at 10:00am sharp. If you would like to go , please RSVP to lventocilla@sempervirens.org and include the number of hikers. See you on the trails! Getting to Little Basin Featured Hikes Sempervirens 236 Come see our recent land acquisition! This 107-acre piece of land is located adjacent to Castle Rock State Park, near the intersection of Highways 9 and 236. There are two trails that go through the property that are open to the public. Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail runs along the western edge. This trail is 35 miles long, but you can try out just a mile or two and check out this newly protected forest. Park in the large pullout on Highway 9, just north of the 236 intersection. Trailhead is located by parking lot. The Saratoga Toll Road Trail also goes through the property. You can start the trail in Castle Rock. See map for parking area and trailhead on Highway 9. You can also get to this from the Skyline-to-the-Sea trail. Sempervirens 236 map Locator Map Castle Rock Loop If you’re looking for a short hike—just a reason to get outside on a warm day—try the Castle Rock Loop. It’s a very easy hike through the redwoods that begins at the main entrance to Castle Rock State Park. The trail is 1.5 miles long and there is only an approximately 400 foot elevation change. This is a great hike for families. Castle Rock Loop map Locator Map Big Basin Headquarters to Mt. McAbee Overlook For a more challenging hike, from Big Basin Park Headquarters hike the Skyline to the Sea Trail until it meets the Howard King Trail. Turn left and hike up to the summit of Mt. McAbee (1,730 ft). Then continue on to Headquarters via the Hihn Hammond Road and Howard King Trail. You will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the Waddell Creek watershed out toward the Pacific Ocean. This hike is a strenuous 10+ miles due to its length and significant elevation gain/loss. Equestrians can reach the Mt. McAbee Overlook via Hihn Hammond Road, which runs roughly parallel to the Howard King Trail. Big Basin HQ to Mt. McAbee Overlook map Locator Map