About trails in Santa Cruz County, California

Santa Cruz County has 533 named trails on the map, covering 1,433 miles in total, an average of 2.7 miles per trail. That is the 9th largest mapped trail network among 57 counties in California. 386 of them are tagged for hiking and 156 for mountain biking.

The longest single trail is bicycle, at 399 miles. 49 trails run 5 miles or longer. Mapped points of interest in the county include 8 trailheads, 106 campsites, 25 waterfalls, and 7 boat launches. The nearest towns to these trails are Santa Cruz, Boulder Creek, and Day Valley.

What the trails in Santa Cruz County are like

By length, 299 are under a mile, 185 run 1 to 5 miles, and 49 are 5 miles or longer. 76 are loops, ending where they start; the longest is North Coast Rail Trail, at 22.9 miles.

Of the 531 with a difficulty rating, 177 easy, 265 moderate, and 89 hard. Of the 514 with measured elevation, Skyline To The Sea Trail climbs the most, about 7,065 ft, and 85 gain 1,000 ft or more.

Explore by activity

533All trails

386Hiking 156Mountain biking

1,433Total miles

106Campsites

7Boat launches

25Waterfalls

8Trailheads

bicycleMTB399 mi mtbMTB41.1 mi Skyline To The Sea TrailHike25.7 mi Aptos Creek Fire RoadHike24.9 mi North Coast Rail TrailHikeMTB22.9 mi Saratoga Toll Road TrailHike19.7 mi Fall Creek Equestrian14.8 mi Ridge TrailHike14.5 mi Hihn's Mill RoadHike14.1 mi Wilder Ridge LoopHike13.8 mi Henry Cowell Equestrian13.4 mi Skyline To The Sea Trail Equestrian12.4 mi Aptos CreekMTB11.3 mi West Ridge TrailHike10.8 mi Cowell-Wilder Equestrian Trail9.7 mi Ohlone Bluff TrailHike9.7 mi Sunset TrailHike9.7 mi Cowell-Wilder Regional TrailHike9.5 mi Lost Empire TrailHike9.4 mi Achistaca TrailHike9.3 mi Long Meadow TrailHikeMTB8.9 mi Loma Prieta GradeHike8.8 mi RidgeMTB8.2 mi Westridge TrailHike7.8 mi Woodcutter's TrailHikeMTB7.7 mi Engelsman Loop TrailHike7.5 mi East Ridge Trail7.4 mi Chinquapin TrailMTB7.2 mi rŭm - me' (Canyon Trail)Hike7.1 mi San Vicente Equestrian7.0 mi Eucalyptus LoopHike6.7 mi Middle Ridge Road6.5 mi Baldwin LoopHike6.4 mi Aptos Creek TrailHike6.3 mi Salsipuedes-Pajaro CyclewayMTB6.3 mi Hinckley Basin Fire RoadHike6.3 mi Sequoia TrailHike6.2 mi Buckeye TrailHike6.2 mi Fall Creek TrailHike6.2 mi Braille TrailHikeMTB6.1 mi Pipeline RoadHike6.0 mi Coastal Rail TrailHike5.8 mi Hihn'sMTB5.8 mi Byrne TrailHike5.7 mi ChalksMTB5.7 mi China Grade Road5.4 mi Loch TrailHike5.3 mi Ohlone BluffMTB5.2 mi Rincon Fire RoadHike5.0 mi 6 mile trail loopHike5.0 mi Long MeadowMTB5.0 mi Hihn's Sulphur Spring RoadMTB5.0 mi DeLaveaga Upper LoopHike5.0 mi Skyline To The Sea Mountain BikeMTB4.9 mi San Vicente Mountain BikingMTB4.9 mi Big Slide TrailHike4.8 mi Big Ben TrailHike4.8 mi Toróma (Wildcat) Trail NorthMTB4.7 mi Buzzard Lagoon RoadHike4.7 mi Cowboy LoopHike4.7 mi Howard King TrailHike4.6 mi Hihn HammondMTB4.5 mi Pine TrailHike4.5 mi Upper Campus Equestrian4.5 mi Shadowbrook TrailHike4.4 mi Truck TrailHike4.4 mi Old Cove Landing TrailHike4.4 mi Cusack's TrailHikeMTB4.3 mi Buzzard LagoonMTB4.3 mi Saratoga Gap TrailHike4.3 mi Pine Mountain Road4.1 mi Travertine Springs TrailHike4.1 mi Middle RidgeMTB4.1 mi Bridge Creek TrailHike3.9 mi Whitehouse-Chalks Equestrian Trail3.8 mi Zane Gray CutoffHikeMTB3.6 mi Toróma (Wildcat) Trail LoopHike3.6 mi Redwood Lower LoopHike3.5 mi Aptos Rancho TrailHike3.4 mi RinconMTB3.3 mi Chalks RoadMTB3.3 mi Nutmeg TrailHike3.2 mi Loughry Woods TrailHike3.2 mi FlowMTB3.2 mi Pogonip Equestrian3.2 mi Basin Trail 13.1 mi HinckleyMTB3.1 mi Enchanted-BaldwinMTB3.0 mi Hihn Hammond Road3.0 mi Wilder RidgeMTB2.9 mi Old CabinMTB2.9 mi Corral RoadHike2.9 mi La Corona TrailHike2.8 mi Tractor TrailHike2.8 mi Káknu (Hawk) TrailHike2.8 mi Enchanted LoopHike2.8 mi Sawpit TrailMTB2.7 mi Silver Leaf LoopHike2.7 mi Graham Hill TrailHike2.6 mi Blufftop TrailMTB2.6 mi Long Ridge RoadHike2.6 mi West Cliff Multipurpose CyclewayHikeMTB2.5 mi Powder Mill TrailHike2.5 mi East RidgeMTB2.5 mi Italian TrailHike2.5 mi McCrary Ridge Trail2.5 mi Big Rock Hole TrailHike2.5 mi Wally WorldHike2.4 mi Loch Loop Trail2.4 mi Eagle Rock TrailHike2.3 mi Old Cove LandingMTB2.3 mi Michael's Summit LoopHike2.3 mi Diversion Dam TrailHike2.2 mi Red LoopHike2.2 mi yu'- kǐs (Live Oak Trail)Hike2.2 mi EucalyptusMTB2.2 mi Twin Oaks TrailHike2.2 mi Woodcutter'sMTB2.2 mi Aptos Creek RoadMTB2.2 mi Enchanted TrailHike2.2 mi Ridge Fire RoadHike2.1 mi ChinquapinMTB2.1 mi Chinquapin RoadHikeMTB2.1 mi Gold LoopHike2.1 mi Michael's Summit Loop Trail2.1 mi Whitehouse Canyon RoadHikeMTB2.1 mi Barking DogsHikeMTB2.1 mi Emma McCraryMTB2.1 mi Emma McCrary TrailHikeMTB2.1 mi BrookwoodMTB2.1 mi Henry Creek Trail2.0 mi Summit Meadows TrailHike2.0 mi Woodrat TrailHike2.0 mi High School TrailHike2.0 mi Castle Rock TrailHike1.9 mi Watsonville Slough TrailHike1.9 mi Last Chance Trail1.9 mi Old Cabin TrailHikeMTB1.9 mi Coastal Rail Trail Santa CruzHikeMTB1.9 mi Clark Connector TrailHike1.9 mi Powder Mill Fire RoadHike1.9 mi Beekhius Road Trail1.9 mi Amaya CreekMTB1.8 mi Amaya Creek RoadHikeMTB1.8 mi Vienna Woods TrailHike1.8 mi WilderMTB1.8 mi Skyline to the Sea - Saratoga Toll Road Connector TailHike1.8 mi Skyline To The Sea - Toll Road Interconnector TrailHike1.8 mi Skyline To The Sea Trail Equestrian 31.8 mi Kiln Fire RoadHike1.8 mi CorralMTB1.7 mi Porter TrailHike1.7 mi hai - mǐn' (Lizard Trail)Hike1.7 mi Ridge LoopHikeMTB1.7 mi Eagle Creek TrailHike1.7 mi Oak Ridge TrailHike1.7 mi La CoronaMTB1.7 mi Holiday TrailHike1.7 mi Spring TrailHike1.7 mi Red MailboxHikeMTB1.7 mi Branciforte Creek TrailHike1.6 mi Ridge Connection TrailHike1.6 mi River Trail PedestrianHike1.6 mi Red Mountain TrailHike1.6 mi Redwood Grove Loop TrailHike1.6 mi River TrailHike1.6 mi Terrace TrailHike1.6 mi Loch Sloy TrailHike1.6 mi Orange LoopHike1.6 mi Fern Gulch RoadHike1.6 mi Rattlesnake TrailHike1.6 mi Sulpher SpringsMTB1.6 mi Sulphur Springs RoadHikeMTB1.6 mi Wild Boar TrailHike1.6 mi Cowboy Loop TrailHikeMTB1.6 mi BrailleMTB1.5 mi Big Stump Gap TrailHike1.5 mi Dool TrailHike1.5 mi Ohlone Loop TrailHike1.5 mi Huyya (Tree) TrailHike1.5 mi Graham Hill Equestrian1.5 mi Old Growth Loop TrailHike1.5 mi Skyline To The Sea Trail Equestrian 11.5 mi Cape Horn TrailHike1.4 mi Red TrailHike1.4 mi TractorMTB1.4 mi Káknu (Hawk) Trail EastHikeMTB1.4 mi Káknu Awetka (Hawk East)MTB1.4 mi Blue LoopHike1.4 mi SawpitMTB1.4 mi Enchanted Loop TrailHikeMTB1.3 mi Fall Creek Fire RoadHike1.3 mi Navy LoopHike1.3 mi Pogonip Creek Nature LoopHike1.3 mi Sunlit TrailHike1.3 mi Long RidgeMTB1.3 mi yu'- kǐs (Live Oak Trail Loop)Hike1.3 mi Oil Creek Trail1.3 mi Grover Gulch-LMB ConnectorHike1.3 mi Indian Trail Road1.3 mi Santa Cruz Riverwalk WestHikeMTB1.3 mi Pine Mountain TrailHike1.3 mi Upper Barking DogsHikeMTB1.3 mi Wilder Ranch Bike/Pedestrian PathHike1.3 mi Helmer TrailHike1.2 mi Zayante TrailHike1.2 mi Huyya (Tree) Toróma (Wildcat) ConnectorMTB1.2 mi Toróma watis (Wildcat South)MTB1.2 mi Toróma watis (Wildcat Trail South)HikeMTB1.2 mi Forest Lakes Equestrian1.2 mi Eagle CutoffHikeMTB1.2 mi Schwan Lake Service RoadHike1.1 mi Santa Cruz Riverwalk EastHikeMTB1.1 mi EnchantedMTB1.1 mi horse1.1 mi MacLaren TrailHike1.1 mi Moore Creek TrailHike1.1 mi Rincon TrailHikeMTB1.1 mi S-Cape TrailHike1.1 mi Twin OaksMTB1.1 mi Flow Trail Segment 1MTB1.1 mi Creeping Forest TrailHike1.1 mi Adams TrailHikeMTB1.1 mi Prairie View Trail1.1 mi Arroyo Seco CanyonHikeMTB1.1 mi Káknu (Hawk) Trail WestHikeMTB1.1 mi Káknu Anós (Hawk West)MTB1.1 mi Lodato Loop TrailHike1.1 mi Fuel BreakMTB1.1 mi North Loop TrailHike1.0 mi Meadow TrailHike1.0 mi Blue TrailHike1.0 mi Bear Mountain TrailHikeMTB1.0 mi Monte Vista TrailHike1.0 mi North Fire RoadHike1.0 mi Brookwood DriveMTB1.0 mi D-CupsHike1.0 mi Magenta LoopHike1.0 mi Berry Creek Falls TrailHike1.0 mi Tanbark Loop TrailHike1.0 mi Anderson LandingMTB0.9 mi Anderson Landing Road0.9 mi Manti TrailHike0.9 mi Ruth Perry TrailHike0.9 mi Fern TrailHike0.9 mi Newell Creek TrailHike0.9 mi Old Vineyard TrailHike0.9 mi Service Road TrailHike0.9 mi Seven Springs TrailHike0.9 mi Huyya (Tree) Trail EastHikeMTB0.9 mi Huyya Awetka (Tree East)MTB0.9 mi Discovery TrailHike0.9 mi Discovery Trail LoopHike0.9 mi Meteor TrailHike0.9 mi Ox Fire RoadHike0.9 mi Lower Loop TrailHike0.9 mi Beekhuis Road Trail0.9 mi Mill Creek Truck Trail0.9 mi U-ConMTB0.9 mi Buggy TrailHike0.9 mi Frog Flat TrailHike0.9 mi Ridge Top TrailHike0.9 mi Hickory Oaks Trail0.9 mi Carmichael TrailHikeMTB0.9 mi Bell-Debbie Connector TrailHike0.9 mi Rachel Carson wheelchair accessibilityHike0.9 mi U-Con TrailHikeMTB0.8 mi BroncosHikeMTB0.8 mi Lower Chaparral TrailHike0.8 mi BranciforteMTB0.8 mi ma - rŭs (Panther Trail)Hike0.8 mi Visual/Performing Arts wheelchair accessibilityHike0.8 mi APPROXIMATED hu' - mǐs (Great Horned Owl Trail)Hike0.8 mi hu' - mǐs (Great Horned Owl Trail)Hike0.8 mi Old VineyardMTB0.8 mi Skyline To The Sea Trail Equestrian 20.8 mi Eight Verse Trail LoopHike0.8 mi Upper Struve Slough Trail0.8 mi Horseman'sMTB0.8 mi StatuesHikeMTB0.8 mi Oak Knoll HeightsHike0.8 mi Green LoopHike0.8 mi San Lorenzo Redwoods Nature Trail0.8 mi Great White LoopHike0.8 mi Beach Cycleway0.7 mi Yellow LoopHike0.7 mi South Loop TrailHike0.7 mi Freedom Cycleway0.7 mi Terrace Trail ConnectionHike0.7 mi SunsetMTB0.7 mi Camper ParkHike0.7 mi Flow Trail Segment 6MTB0.7 mi The Mystery Spot Hiking TrailHike0.7 mi Leonard Bartle TrailHike0.7 mi Crown/ Merrill wheelchair accessibilityHike0.7 mi Amaya Pond RoadHikeMTB0.7 mi Old Big Basin RoadHike0.7 mi Fuel Break RoadHikeMTB0.7 mi Ammon Trail0.7 mi JugsHikeMTB0.7 mi

Trails by town in Santa Cruz County

More California counties

755 trails · 1,917 mi

487 trails · 1,605 mi

Los Angeles County

1,618 trails · 3,834 mi

San Diego County

999 trails · 2,071 mi

San Bernardino County

762 trails · 2,163 mi

← All of California

Trail geometry from OpenStreetMap contributors, licensed ODbL. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Compiled and published by Trailmonger · trail data last rebuilt October 25, 2026.