Fall and Winter Hikes
North
Trails: Six Bridges Trail
Why We Love It: A classic visit to redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains’ hidden gem where forests, streams, birdsong, and occasional fog await.
Difficulty: Easy
Staff Note: Check out Dr. Hackenmiller's custom wellness tips for Six Bridges Trail to get the most health and mood boost.
More Info: Visit the Six Bridges Trail page and scroll down for trail, park, and health info.
photo by Orenda Randuch
Trails: Lawrence Creek Trail
Why We Love It: Enjoy the peace and quiet of the forest and the sound of water in the creek on this less travelled trail in the park.
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Staff Note: This trail is open to bikes.
More Info: Visit the El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve page and scroll down to download a trail map or a trail app.
photo by Andrew Sorensen
Huddart Park
Trails: Crystal Springs Trail
Why We Love It: This forested trail has a mix of redwoods and fall-color-changing oaks and madrones between the top and bottom of the park making it a “choose your own adventure” of difficulty—moderate going down from the Zwierlein Trailhead or difficult going up from Richard’s Road Trail at Skyline Boulevard.
Staff Note: Crystal Springs Trail is 4 miles one way or can be made into a 5-mile loop with Dean Trail from Zwierlein.
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
More Info: Visit Huddart Park’s Crystal Springs Trail page for more info or to download the map.
photo by PEHart
Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve
Trails: Purisma Creek Trail
Why We Love It: This out and back hike traverses the park - so you can start from either side - through lush redwoods and creek where banana slugs are often seen around wetter weather.
Difficulty: Difficult
More Info: Visit the Purisma Creek Redwoods Preserve page and scroll down to download a trail map or a trail app.
photo by Sarah Dinu
Windy Hill Preserve
Trails: Lost Trail
Why We Love It: This gently sloping out and back trail has nice views and the forested sections offer protection in fall and winter weather.
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Staff Note: This trail is also open to equestrians seasonally.
More Info: Visit the Windy Hill Preserve page and scroll down to download a trail map or a trail app.
photo by Don Owens
Windy Hill Preserve
Trails: Lost Trail, Hamms Gulch, Eagle Trail, Razorback Ridge, Lost Trail
Why We Love It: This loop, with both open air and forested sections, is great for birdwatching and Eagle Trail is especially nice after rains where it follows Corte de Madera Creek.
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Staff Note: All trails but Eagle Creek are also open to equestrians seasonally.
More Info: Visit the Windy Hill Preserve page and scroll down to download a trail map or a trail app.
photo by Don Owens
West
Trails: Atkinson Bluff Trail
Why We love It: While other parts of the park are crowded for elephant seal viewing, you can enjoy a seaside-to-sand dunes journey on this less crowded ocean-to-ridgeline treasure.
Difficulty: Easy
Staff Note: You can increase your health benefits on this mix of easy looping seaside trails and more challenging adventures along cliffs and into dunes with Dr. Hackenmiller's customized Trails RX tips.
More Info: Visit Atkinson Bluff Trail and scroll down for trail, park, and health info.
photo by Orenda Randuch
Trails: Año Nuevo Point
Why We love It: Fall and winter is an exciting time to see one of the world’s largest populations of northern elephant seals.
Difficulty: Easy
Staff Note: From September through November you can see the fall juvenile haul out, and from mid-December through March you can view breeding season.
More Info: Visit Año Nuevo State Park’s Seal Viewing Season page to learn more about the seals and the Elephant Seals Guided Walk page to see the schedule and make your reservation.
Trails: Redwood Loop Trail
Why We love It: Glimpse a special moment in time as an ancient grove in the heart of California's oldest state park rebounds from wildfire. What will the rains and extra sunlight and nutrients bring to the forest floor?
Difficulty: Easy
Staff Note: You can maximize your health and wellness benefits on this trail with Dr. Hackenmiller's Trails Rx tips
More Info: Visit Redwood Loop Trail and scroll down for trail, park, and health info.
photo by Orenda Randuch
Wilder Ranch State Park
Trails: Old Cove Landing Trail, Ohlone Bluff Trail
Why We Love It: Great open views along the bluffs on a wide path for easier sharing and social distancing that won’t get “rained out” so it can be visited in any weather.
Difficulty: Easy
Staff Note: It can be cold and windy right on the coast.
More Info: Visit the Wilder Ranch State Park Hiking page and scroll down to the Easy Hike to find Old Cove Landing Trail to Ohlone Bluff Trail.
photo by keppet
East
Trails: Castle Rock Falls
Why We Love It: Explore forests, sandstones, and the magic of the wetter season in our temperate rainforest by visiting one of the easiest to reach waterfalls in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Difficulty: Easy
Staff Note: See Dr. Hackenmiller's Trails Rx tips for Castle Rock Falls to get the most out of your time on the trail.
More Info: Visit the Castle Rock Falls and scroll down for trail, park, and health info.
photo by Orenda Randuch
Trails: Skyline/Loghry Woods/Saratoga Gap Loop
Why We Love It: The trails near Skyline Boulevard have many opportunities to see oaks and maples changing colors.
Difficulty: Moderate
More Info: Visit the Castle Rock State Park Hiking page and scroll down to the Moderate section to find the Skyline/Loghry Woods/Saratoga Gap Loop.
Trails: Hickory Oaks, Long Ridge Road, and Peters Creek Trail
Why We Love It: This hike has both open air and forests.
Difficulty: Moderate
More Info: Visit the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve page and scroll down to download a trail map or a trail app.
photo by Ross Finlayson
Monte Bello Preserve
Trails: Canyon, Bella Vista, Old Ranch, Indian Creek and Monte Bello Road
Why We Love It: This out and back hike is rewarded with great views from Black Mountain on a clear day.
Difficulty: Moderate
More Info: Visit the Monte Bello Preserve page and scroll down to download a trail map or a trail app.
photo by austlee
South
Trails: Redwood Grove Loop Trail
Why We Love It: Immerse yourself in a living exhibit of ancient redwoods—that inspired the founding of Sempervirens Fund and the redwood conservation movement—on one of the most accessible trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Difficulty: Easy
Staff Note: You can connect more deeply with these forests, and your health and wellness goals, with Dr. Hackenmiller's Redwood Grove Loop Trails Rx tips.
More Info: Visit the Redwood Grove Loop Trail and scroll down for trail, park, and health info.
photo by Orenda Randuch
Trails: Meadow-River Loop
Why We Love It: An easy to find, accessible park to experience deciduous trees including sycamores and box elders changing colors and beautiful redwoods.
Difficulty: Easy
Staff Note: Parking in undesignated areas is not recommended and can lead to car damage.
More Info: Visit the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Hiking page and scroll down to the Easy section to find the Meadow-River Loop.
photo by Jim Bahn
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Trails: Maple Falls
Why We Love It: This trail has lovely forest views and a waterfall.
Difficulty: Moderate
Staff Note: Cool, covered trails; but narrow. Limited parking and busy on weekends.
More Info: Visit The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park Hiking page and scroll down to the Moderate section to find Maple Falls. Please note: The last section of the Bridge Creek Trail to Maple Falls is currently closed to all users until further notice due to storm damage.
photo by Cody Badger
More to Explore
Still looking for the right nature getaway for you? Here are some more experiences that highlight the unique beauty and resilience of the Santa Cruz mountains - where the redwoods meet the sea.
- Suggestions to Hike, Bike, and Ride the Santa Cruz mountains
- Everlasting Vistas - our curated AllTrails list of hikes with great views
- Wildflowers After Wildfire - hikes where you may see rare and fire adaptive plants
- Check out our Visit page for featured hikes by park