Turtle Rock Viewpoint – Saratoga Gap loop from Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

Mountain biking trails

Turtle Rock Viewpoint – Saratoga Gap loop from Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

Moderate

2.9

(29)

riders

Turtle Rock Viewpoint – Saratoga Gap loop from Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

02:08

21.7km

450m

Mountain biking

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: September 3, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Long Ridge Open Space Preserve

Upper Stevens Creek County Park

Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1.36 km

Peters Creek Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This trail leads you through a valley lush with ferns and large trees. The sounds of the nearby creek, filled with moss-covered boulders and small waterfalls, offer a sense of tranquility. After passing through the green meadows, you will come across a small pond where you may see California Newts on the side of the path. Once you reach the ridge top, you will enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean, especially on a clear day.

Tip by

3.06 km

Long Ridge Open Space Preserve

Highlight • Forest

Long Ridge Open Space Preserve is a 2,035-acre preserve that follows Long Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. There are a variety of trails that can be used for hiking, biking, or horse riding. This is a dirt trail area, so it is more suited for gravel bikes or a stout touring bike; a hardtail would be ideal. In addition, this is a preserve and not a park, so there are no facilities that you would normally expect in a park, such as bathrooms, drinking water fountains, picnic tables, snack bars, or stores.

Tip by

4.22 km

Turtle Rock Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

Turtle Rock is the highest and most prominent mountain in the area. From this viewpoint, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, especially stunning at sunset. Be cautious, as the trail is popular and often busy with hikers.

Tip by

5.17 km

Saratoga Gap Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Saratoga Gap Trail has enough technical features to entertain any mountain biker.

Tip by

7.78 km

Saratoga Gap

Highlight • Trail

Saratoga Gap Trail here meets Skyline Trail after crossing Canyon Springs Rd, just east of the big intersection. The road and trailhead parking are the only interruption in otherwise pure bliss single track trails.

Tip by

10.1 km

Views of Castle Rock State Park

Highlight • Viewpoint

On your way South from CA-9 riding Skyline Boulevard, there are a few spots where you can get a great view of the mountains that separate you from the Pacific ocean. Depending on the time of day and the time of year, you could see a blue range of mountains, or the mountains covered with a thick blanket of fog.

Tip by

15.6 km

Hickory Oaks Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Hickory Oaks Trail greets you with a short and steep burst of climbing and opens up to offers you the first views of the surrounding area and the ocean.

Tip by

18.5 km

Wallace Stegner Bench and View of the Santa Cruz Mountains

Highlight • Viewpoint

This bench commemorates author and conservationist Wallace Stegner, one of his favorite places. Open fields surround the stone bench and offer sweeping views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Big leaf maples turn yellow in the fall, and the madrone trees produce bright red berries, adding to the landscape's beauty. With luck, you may see wild turkeys foraging for acorns. It's a great spot to take a break and enjoy the scenery.

Tip by

19.4 km

Bodhidharma Cave

Cave Entrance

21.7 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types