Long Ridge Open Space Preserve is a protected area situated atop the Santa Cruz Mountains, offering a diverse landscape for outdoor activities. This open space preserve features a mix of cool, creekside forests, expansive grasslands, and oak woodlands. Its ridge-top location provides views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, connecting to other significant protected areas like Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve and Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve. The varied terrain supports several sports like hiking, jogging, road cycling, touring cycling,…
104
Routes
4.7
(99)
Average rating
1974
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)
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.

10
hikers
16.4km
04:55
520m
520m
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
(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.

3.0
(1)
79
riders
77.0km
04:00
1,340m
1,340m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult 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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15
riders
54.7km
04:12
1,310m
1,310m
Hard bike ride. Very 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.

28
riders
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

20
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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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.

3
runners
6.18km
00:53
250m
250m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

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

2
runners
5.28km
00:43
210m
210m
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)
4
riders
21.4km
01:49
470m
470m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
32.7km
02:27
900m
900m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Long Ridge Open Space Preserve offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Jogging, Road cycling, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, and Gravel biking. The preserve features more than 20 routes, catering to diverse interests and skill levels. These activities are rated an average of 4.62 out of 5 stars by more than 34,000 visitors.
The preserve offers 13.5 miles (21.7 km) of trails suitable for various hiking experiences, from short walks to longer excursions. Hikers can explore diverse ecosystems, including cool creekside forests and expansive grasslands. For detailed options, refer to the Hiking in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve guide.
Yes, Long Ridge Open Space Preserve is popular with cyclists and offers designated dirt trails suitable for mountain biking and gravel biking. These trails provide a varied experience through different landscapes. Specific routes and information can be found in the MTB Trails in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve guide.
While the preserve itself features dirt trails, road cycling is popular on the surrounding Skyline Boulevard, which offers scenic routes. Cyclists can find suitable options for road bikes in the area. For more information, consult the Road Cycling Routes in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve guide.
Long Ridge Open Space Preserve provides trails for various skill levels, including options suitable for beginners. These trails often feature gentler grades and shorter distances. A selection of accessible routes is detailed in the Easy hikes in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve guide.
Yes, the preserve offers trails that are suitable for families, providing accessible and enjoyable experiences for all ages. These routes often feature interesting natural sights and manageable distances. Information on suitable trails can be found in the Family-friendly hikes in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve guide.
Long Ridge Open Space Preserve permits dogs on certain trails, allowing visitors to enjoy the outdoors with their canine companions. Specific guidelines and designated routes for dogs are available. Consult the Dog-friendly hikes in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve guide for more details.
The preserve offers panoramic views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Pescadero Valley, and the Pacific Ocean. Notable features include the Wallace Stegner Memorial Bench, Peters Creek Bridge, and Turtle Rock Viewpoint. In spring, exposed hillsides and meadows display wildflowers such as lupines and checkerblooms.
Yes, Long Ridge Open Space Preserve connects to several other protected areas, including Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve, and Upper Stevens Creek County Park. This connectivity allows for extended exploration opportunities, including a segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail.
Long Ridge Open Space Preserve features 13.5 miles (21.7 km) of trails. These trails offer a mix of long and short options, as well as out-and-back and loop configurations, providing diverse experiences for visitors.
Official information for Long Ridge Open Space Preserve is available through the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Their official website is www.openspace.org. For direct inquiries, the preserve can be reached by phone at +1 (650) 691-1200.
Komoot offers several guides for Long Ridge Open Space Preserve, covering various activities and interests. These include guides for Hiking, MTB Trails, Road Cycling, and Family-friendly hikes, among others.

