Lisa Killough Trail

The Bay Area Ridge Trail: Calero Park Loop offers a scenic and accessible touring cycling experience, winding through California Oak woodlands, chaparral, and rolling grassland hills. You'll enjoy expansive views of the Calero Reservoir and the Santa Cruz Mountains, with the landscape particularly lush and vibrant with wildflowers in early spring. The trail surface varies from hard-packed dirt to fine gray gravel, providing a smooth ride through open grass meadows and sparse oak woodlands.

This moderate 9.5-mile (15.3 km) route, with 837 feet (255 metres) of elevation gain, typically takes about 1 hour and 32 minutes to complete. It's considered beginner-friendly, featuring gentle climbs without extended steep ascents, making it a great option for those transitioning from flatter gravel paths. Remember that the loop is unidirectional (counter-clockwise) for bikes, and muddy patches can occur near a natural spring during winter.

As a key segment of the ambitious 550-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail, this loop integrates several trails, including the popular Lisa Killough Trail and Cottle Trail. Calero County Park has become a significant mountain biking destination, with new "flow" trails added since 2017. Keep an eye out for local wildlife like burrowing owls, coyotes, and even bald eagles as you explore this well-regarded route.