Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is a 3,436-acre expanse located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This preserve features a diverse landscape of rolling grasslands, dense creekside forests, and varied terrain, making it suitable for a range of outdoor pursuits. The area encompasses the upper Stevens Creek watershed and offers several sports like hiking, jogging, road cycling, mountain biking, and more.
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve offers more than 30 routes across several sports like hiking, jogging, road cycling, mountain biking, and more. The varied terrain includes approximately 15.5 miles of dirt trails for hikers and joggers, with options ranging from meandering singletrack to moderately steep climbs. Road cyclists can tackle challenging ascents like Montebello Road, while mountain bikers can explore designated trails, fire roads, and singletrack that connect to other open space preserves. More than 46,000 visitors have shared their experiences in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, resulting in an average rating of 4.63 out of 5 stars. For more detailed information on specific activities, explore guides such as Hiking in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, Road Cycling Routes in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, and MTB Trails in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve.
149
Routes
4.7
(152)
Average rating
3052
People visited

5.0
(6)
59
hikers
11.4km
03:23
350m
360m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(4)
30
hikers
6.06km
01:46
160m
160m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
26
hikers
13.4km
04:12
510m
530m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(1)
12
hikers
10.5km
03:05
310m
280m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(2)
155
riders
92.0km
05:05
1,830m
1,830m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(4)
148
riders
28.4km
01:19
270m
270m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(1)
90
riders
109km
05:56
2,280m
2,280m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

62
riders
33.6km
02:00
820m
820m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.3
(4)
40
riders
31.4km
01:59
370m
370m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
63
riders
53.7km
04:00
1,240m
1,240m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

52
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

28
riders
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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8
runners
7.35km
00:53
150m
150m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
6.19km
00:50
190m
190m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8.19km
00:58
240m
240m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
runners
12.0km
01:20
290m
290m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(3)
57
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

25
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
27
riders
31.2km
03:07
800m
800m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
19
riders
9.89km
01:10
360m
360m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
5
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
31
riders
42.7km
03:18
1,010m
1,010m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
7
riders
26.1km
01:51
380m
380m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
4
riders
21.4km
01:49
470m
470m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Monte Bello Open Space Preserve offers a range of outdoor activities including hiking, jogging, road cycling, mountain biking, touring cycling, and gravel biking. The preserve features approximately 15.5 miles (25 km) of dirt trails for hikers and joggers, alongside designated routes for cyclists. It is known for its diverse terrain and extensive trail system.
Yes, Monte Bello Open Space Preserve has approximately 15.5 miles (25 km) of dirt trails suitable for hiking. Options range from meandering singletrack to moderately steep climbs. For more information on hiking routes, explore the Hiking in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve guide.
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve offers trails suitable for various fitness levels, including easier options. The Stevens Creek Nature Trail is a 3-mile (4.8 km) loop with an easy-access segment. For a selection of less strenuous routes, consult the Easy hikes in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve guide.
Yes, Monte Bello Open Space Preserve includes trails suitable for families. The Stevens Creek Nature Trail is a 3-mile (4.8 km) loop that winds through forested canyons and grasslands. For specific routes, refer to the Family-friendly hikes in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve guide.
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve has specific regulations regarding dogs on trails. It is advisable to check the official preserve guidelines before visiting. For dog-friendly hiking options, consult the Dog-friendly hikes in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve guide.
Road cyclists frequently utilize the paved sections around Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. Montebello Road is a challenging climb, approximately 5.1 miles (8.2 km) long, known for its steep sections. Stevens Canyon Road offers a fast, downhill ride. More routes are available in the Road Cycling Routes in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve guide.
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is a popular spot for mountain biking, with designated trails for the activity. The Canyon Trail, a combination fire road and singletrack, descends through cool forests. Other trails like Bella Vista Trail and White Oak Trail offer scenic singletrack experiences. Helmets are required, and e-bikes are generally not permitted on most trails. Find routes in the MTB Trails in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve guide.
The preserve features rolling grasslands, dense creekside forests, and a rich riparian corridor along Stevens Creek. Black Mountain, the highest part of Monte Bello Ridge, offers panoramic views of the Santa Clara Valley, Mount Hamilton, and the Pacific Ocean. The Bella Vista Trail also provides impressive vistas.
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve has more than 30 routes available on komoot, with an average rating of 4.63 out of 5 stars. Over 46,000 visitors have shared their experiences in the preserve. This high rating reflects the quality of its outdoor offerings.
Komoot offers several guides for Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, including guides for Hiking, Easy Hikes, Family-friendly Hikes, Road Cycling Routes, and MTB Trails. These guides provide detailed information and route suggestions for various activities.
The official website for Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is part of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's website. It can be found at www.openspace.org. This site provides official information regarding the preserve.

