Near Bay Area Ridge Trail: Sanborn County Park and Castle Rock State Park
The Saratoga Gap Trail passes through an open field along Skyline Blvd. before entering the woods.
Near Bay Area Ridge Trail: Sanborn County Park and Castle Rock State Park
View from the crest of John Nicholas Trail.
Near Bay Area Ridge Trail: Sanborn County Park and Castle Rock State Park
John Nicholas Trail.
Near Bay Area Ridge Trail: Sanborn County Park and Castle Rock State Park
Beautiful valley view
Near Bay Area Ridge Trail: Sanborn County Park and Castle Rock State Park
Preparing for the hike.

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Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Bay Area Ridge Trail: Sanborn County Park and Castle Rock State Park

3.0 (2 Ratings)
Follow the Skyline Trail along the wooded ridgeline of two vast parks: Sanborn County Park and Castle Rock State Park.
6
mi
Distance
919
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
5.99mi
Distance
919ft
Elevation Gain
1,153ft
Elevation Loss
30%
Max Grade
3,091ft
High Point
2,632ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
On the route of old Summit Road, you wind along the protected east side of the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains through forests of Douglas-fir, oak, and madrone; you pass immense sandstone outcrops and vestiges of early homesteaders' orchards and dwellings. This fairly level trip, entirely in shade, is ideal for warm days. 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.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
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Nearby Hike Routes

Saratoga Gap, Ridge Trail + Castle Rock Loop Hike

Hike Route

Saratoga Gap, Ridge Trail + Castle Rock Loop Hike

Views
moderate
4.78 mi
+1,104 ft
Castle Rock Loop

Hike Route

Castle Rock Loop

Birding
moderate
3.68 mi
+863 ft
John Nicholas to Skyline Shuttle

Hike Route

John Nicholas to Skyline Shuttle

Family Friendly
moderate
5.18 mi
+1,160 ft
Skyline to the Sea Trail: Saratoga Gap to Big Basin Headquarters

Hike Route

Skyline to the Sea Trail: Saratoga Gap to Big Basin Headquarters

Views
extreme
15.02 mi
+1,664 ft
Skyline to the Sea Trail

Hike Route

Skyline to the Sea Trail

River/Creek
moderate
24.63 mi
+2,381 ft
State Park Trifecta

Hike Route

State Park Trifecta

Birding
extreme
26.56 mi
+5,270 ft
Contributors
Bay Area Ridge Trail Staff