Fall and Winter Hikes
North
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
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
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.
East
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: 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.
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
