Long Ridge Loop

The Long Ridge Loop is located in the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Specific trailhead parking information is typically available on the preserve's official website or detailed maps.

Yes, the Long Ridge Loop is generally considered an easy to moderate trail, making it accessible for a wide range of hikers, including beginners. While some segments can be steep, there are also gentler portions.

The trail features a varied landscape, moving between open grasslands, shady woodlands, and old roadbeds, as well as singletrack paths. Sections of the Peters Creek Trail wind through lush, attractive woodland filled with ferns, while other parts follow wider fire roads through grasslands.

A significant highlight is the Wallace Stegner Bench and View of the Santa Cruz Mountains, which offers spectacular views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. From ridgeline sections, you can also see the Pescadero Valley. A small pond near the Jikoji Zen Center property is another scenic point.

The preserve offers a rich mix of habitats, supporting various wildlife such as wild turkeys, feral pigs, and coyotes. In spring, you can observe a burst of wildflowers like lupines and checkerblooms. Fall brings colorful big leaf maples and madrone trees with bright red berries. You might also catch glimpses of redwood trees.

Conditions vary with the seasons. Spring is ideal for observing spectacular displays of wildflowers. Fall brings vibrant foliage with big leaf maples turning yellow and madrone trees adorned with bright red berries. Winter offers vibrant green landscapes, while summer can be dusty.

Yes, dogs are permitted on designated trails within the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve, but they must be kept on a leash at all times.

No, there are typically no entrance fees or permits required for day-use hiking in the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve.

Yes, the route also passes through sections of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, Long Ridge Trail, Ward Road, Portola Heights Road, and Peters Creek Trail, connecting with other protected areas like Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve.

While some traffic noise from Skyline Boulevard can be present in certain areas, spots like the Wallace Stegner Bench offer a quiet retreat with stunning views. The preserve is open from a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset.