Near Bay Area Ridge Trail: Saratoga Gap - Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
The Saratoga Gap Trail passes through an open field along Skyline Blvd. before entering the woods.
Near Bay Area Ridge Trail: Saratoga Gap - Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
Saratoga Gap Trail wandering its way through a dense forest providing plenty of shade from the sun.
Near Bay Area Ridge Trail: Saratoga Gap - Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
A handful of minutes off of Hickory Oaks Trail, you'll find the humble Turtle Rock. Venture here at the right time of day, and the sun will reward you with grass ablaze and gilded treetops … before the famous low clouds descend to test your rain jacket.
Near Bay Area Ridge Trail: Saratoga Gap - Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
The sun peaks through the trees in the late afternoon.
Near Bay Area Ridge Trail: Saratoga Gap - Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
The light at Golden Hour peeks through the trees along the Saratoga Gap trail around sunset. The light peeks through the trees along the trail making beautiful scenes at various points in the hike.

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Bay Area Ridge Trail: Saratoga Gap - Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve

3.0 (1 Rating)
Forests and grasslands in the Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve.
7.7
mi
Distance
904
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
Views

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Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
7.75mi
Distance
904ft
Elevation Gain
1,461ft
Elevation Loss
35%
Max Grade
2,720ft
High Point
2,014ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
Travel the Bay Area !Ridge Trail through moist evergreen forests, oak-madrone woodlands, and high grasslands along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains. You experience stunning coastal mountain views on this route through three open-space preserves and one county park. Trail width and surface varies from narrow paths to wide roads--soft in forests and along creekbeds, and firm and bare through grasslands. Be prepared for wind and fog on exposed ridgetops, and for heat on west- and south-facing slopes. This trail description is excerpted from the 2019 Bay Area !Ridge Trail Guidebook. For details on all trails, trailheads and more buy the book from Wilderness Press.

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Contributors
Bay Area Ridge Trail Staff