Attractions and Places To See around Lexington Hills - Top 20

Approaching Hicks road from Camden Ave. Avoid this area on Sundays between 8 AM to noon. It gets busy with impatient church people. The first 6 miles are meandering narrow roads with gentle climbs. The famous Hicks Climb starts with a sharp left bend on an old bridge. You face immediately a 14% gradient which is unnerving if it is your first time. The roads gains 800 feet in 1.2 miles. The average gradient of 8% hides the fact that there are some sections with 3-4% gradient in this 1.2 miles. Be patient on the climb. Your speed may drop under 3 MPH at times. Come mentally prepared and have some mantras to boost your spirits during the climb. Slow down on descent. The road surface is cold- sealed asphalt so you get good traction but slow down. The road is steep and there are some potholes and wide cracks here and there. Check your brake pads!! Temperature can have a significant impact. Ride it when it is under 75 degrees and road is not wet. Some riders connect this ride with Mount Umunhum climb totaling to 3100 feet of elevation gain in less than 7 miles of which 1.1 miles are either flat of downhill! Be safe …

This is a tough climb. It gains 2200 in 5 miles of which 1.1 miles are flat or downhills! There are 3-4 short segments with 15% gradient. The road is exposed so riding when temperature is below 75 is recommended. On summer weekends expect caravans of motorcycles with their fumes and noise. It is a super special experience. Be patient on climb and cautious on the descent. There are restroom facilities but no potable water. This climb is addictive! You will be back! There are locals who climb this road 100+ times annually!

This 152-acre park connects right to the Los Gatos Creek Parkway. The park is open from 8am to sunset, and if you ride your bike you don't have to pay the vehicle entrance fee (currently $6).

Vasona Reservoir, located on Los Gatos Creek, is surrounded by the 152-acre Vasona Lake County Park. Built in 1935 as one of six original reservoirs approved by voters in 1934. Vasona Reservoir holds 495 acre-feet of water and spans 57 acres. The park offers picnicking, catch-and-release fishing, and human-powered boating. Swimming is not permitted. It's a great spot for photography and sunrises.

Climbing Mount Umunhum is a tough but rewarding challenge. The road is steep, with sections reaching up to 18% grades, so pace yourself. The views from the top are spectacular, making the hard work worth it. Start early to avoid traffic and the heat, and be prepared for a long, demanding ascent.

This long climb starts pretty easy, then gets more challenging. The last 1.5 miles are taxing on the legs. On the other hand, riding down is exhilarating; you have the road for yourself since cars either dare go fast or can't handle the turns as bikes do. If you leave in the South Bay, CA-9 is something you want to experience.

Nice views of the lack, especially Sunrise/Sunset

One of the highest virtually car-free road climbs in the South Bay, Mount Umunhum became quickly one of the most popular biking destinations since opening to the public in 2017 after being closed several decades for military radar operations. The hard work is rewarded with spectacular 360 degree views of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve and the surrounding hills, all the way to the Pacific Ocean in the West and the SF Bay to the north. Modern restrooms, drinking water fountains, and viewing terraces with benches welcome the weary. Don't be afraid, or too overwhelmed by your superpowers if you look at komoot's 9800 ft uphill climb estimate for this highlight. Their software is off by a factor of 5x or more. The actual elevation difference is around 1800 feet (about 600 meters). According to GoogleMaps the distance is only 5.2 miles, with about 2000 feet uphill. Even that is not bad, and you deserve to be proud ;-)