El Sereno Open Space Preserve is a 1,614-acre open space preserve situated in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It features diverse terrain, rising from foothills to a prominent ridgeline that includes 2,500-foot Mount El Sereno. The preserve offers a mix of wide fire roads and steeper trails, making it suitable for several sports like jogging, hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, and more. Its landscape includes exposed chaparral communities, meadows at higher elevations, and shaded areas near creeks.
118
Routes
4.8
(205)
Average rating
3256
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)
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.
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4.3
(13)
175
riders
26.9km
01:35
100m
100m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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.
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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.

60
riders
33.6km
02:00
820m
820m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
102
riders
Moderate road ride. 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.
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5.0
(18)
42
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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5.0
(1)
63
runners
6.52km
00:49
160m
160m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

20
runners
15.2km
01:54
420m
420m
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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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.

8
riders
32.5km
02:16
730m
730m
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.

9
riders
68.4km
04:51
1,330m
1,330m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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El Sereno Open Space Preserve offers a variety of outdoor activities including jogging, hiking, road cycling, and mountain biking. The preserve spans 1,614 acres with diverse terrain, from foothills to a prominent ridgeline. It features seven miles of wide, gradual trails, primarily fire roads, suitable for various sports. Komoot users have rated the preserve's routes an average of 4.58 out of 5 stars.
The preserve offers trails like the Aquinas and Serenity Trail Loop for moderate routes with challenging climbs. The John Nicholas Trail is a moderate 9.4-mile (15.1 km) path with significant elevation gain. For more options, refer to the Hiking in El Sereno Open Space Preserve guide.
El Sereno Open Space Preserve offers trails suitable for families, particularly its wide, gradual fire roads. These trails can accommodate various skill levels. For specific routes, consult the Family-friendly hikes in El Sereno Open Space Preserve guide.
Yes, dogs are permitted on trails within El Sereno Open Space Preserve. The preserve's multiuse trails are suitable for dog walking. For specific dog-friendly routes, explore the Dog-friendly hikes in El Sereno Open Space Preserve guide.
Trails like the Aquinas and Serenity Trail Loop offer moderate routes with challenging climbs suitable for jogging. The preserve's steep trails are well-suited for those looking for a rigorous jog. More options are available in the Running Trails in El Sereno Open Space Preserve guide.
The preserve's fire roads and challenging climbs, such as the ascent to El Sereno Mountain, make it a popular spot for mountain bikers. The multiuse Montevina Ridge and Aquinas Trails provide an approximately 8-mile (12.9 km) out-and-back route along the ridge. For detailed routes, see the MTB Trails in El Sereno Open Space Preserve guide.
While primarily known for mountain biking, road cyclists can enjoy challenging paved sections leading to trailheads, such as Sheldon Road. The preserve's varied terrain offers significant ascents. For specific routes, consult the Road Cycling Routes in El Sereno Open Space Preserve guide.
The preserve spans 1,614 acres, rising from foothills to a prominent ridgeline, including 2,500-foot (762 m) Mount El Sereno. The Aquinas Trail, for instance, climbs from just over 1,000 feet (305 m) to almost 2,600 feet (792 m) over 3.5 miles (5.6 km). The terrain features exposed chaparral, meadows at higher elevations, and shaded areas near creeks.
Visitors are treated to panoramic vistas throughout the preserve. From the trails, one can enjoy expansive views of Silicon Valley, Los Gatos, Lexington Reservoir, and the distant Monterey Peninsula and Diablo Range. These viewpoints are a highlight for many visitors.
El Sereno Open Space Preserve is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 38,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes in the preserve have an average rating of 4.58 out of 5 stars from over 2,000 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
El Sereno Open Space Preserve is managed by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. The official website is openspace.org/maps. The phone number for inquiries is +1-650-691-1200.

