Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is a 1,440-acre open space preserve located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, three miles south of Los Gatos. This area features diverse landscapes, including extensive second-growth redwood forests, Douglas fir, and oak woodlands, alongside cool perennial creeks. The varied terrain also encompasses meadows, riparian corridors, and grasslands, with higher elevations offering expansive views of the Sierra Azul Range. The preserve provides opportunities for several sports like hiking, jogging, mountain biking, road cycling, and more.
…100
Routes
4.8
(196)
Average rating
2657
People visited

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)
6
hikers
18.1km
05:52
980m
410m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

2
hikers
2.40km
00:40
40m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
hikers
4.45km
01:08
10m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(3)
133
riders
101km
05:21
1,590m
1,590m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

33
riders
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

30
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

27
riders
27.6km
01:36
650m
650m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(19)
41
riders
34.8km
03:24
800m
800m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(16)
137
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(41)
80
riders
25.5km
02:29
600m
600m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
34
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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20
runners
15.2km
01:54
420m
420m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

16
runners
8.55km
01:11
310m
310m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
5.16km
00:39
180m
180m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
12.3km
01:51
600m
600m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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52
riders
55.3km
04:10
1,270m
1,270m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
47
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
34
riders
24.3km
02:24
720m
720m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
25
riders
84.0km
05:42
1,410m
1,410m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
8
riders
25.4km
02:22
750m
750m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
riders
51.5km
03:41
900m
900m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
25.9km
02:01
740m
740m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
53.1km
04:30
1,280m
1,280m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve offers opportunities for hiking, jogging, and equestrian activities on its trails. While komoot lists routes for mountain biking and road cycling in the broader region, bicycles are not permitted on trails within the preserve itself. The preserve features over 10 miles of trails.
Yes, the preserve offers trails suitable for beginners. The 0.2-mile (0.3 km) Upper Lake Loop Trail is an easy, accessible, self-guided interpretive path. For more options, explore Easy hikes in Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.
Yes, Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve has trails suitable for families. The Upper Lake Loop Trail is particularly accessible for strollers and mobility devices. More family-friendly options can be found in the Family-friendly hikes in Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve guide.
The preserve is known for its extensive second-growth redwood forests, with some trees estimated to be 800 to 900 years old. It also features dense Douglas fir and oak woodlands, cool perennial creeks, meadows, and grasslands. Higher elevations offer panoramic views of the Sierra Azul Range.
Dogs are permitted on trails within Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. They must be kept on a leash at all times to protect wildlife and ensure visitor safety. Always check the official preserve rules for any updates.
The 7.4-mile (11.9 km) Madrone Knoll trail is considered one of the more challenging routes. It involves significant climbs, leading to the preserve's highest point at 2,400 feet (732 meters). This trail offers expansive views of the surrounding landscape.
Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 21,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The preserve's 5 routes have an average rating of 4.61 out of 5 stars from over 1,200 ratings.
Komoot offers several guides for the preserve, including Hiking in Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, Running Trails, and Waterfall hikes. Guides for specific interests like family-friendly or easy hikes are also available.
Additional information about the preserve, including detailed rules and regulations, can be found on the official website of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. The specific preserve page is openspace.org/preserves/bear-creek-redwoods-preserve.
Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is managed by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Their general office phone number is (650) 691-1200 for inquiries.
The preserve holds historical significance as the former site of Alma College, a Jesuit seminary. While the preserve is now focused on natural preservation, remnants of its past can be observed, such as historical artifacts along the Upper Lake Loop Trail.

