Alambique Loop Trail

The Loop Trail departs from the Folger Stable area of Wunderlich Park. Hike between the Folger Stable and the Carriage House and follow the service/fire road as it breaks off to the left and begins climbing into the park. You'll pass a couple of horse pens and some RVs before going past a gate that keeps cars from continuing further up the hill. The trail turns to gravel at this point, but is doubletrack which makes for easy hiking with friends. Cutting back to the left, the trail changes into a dirt trail as it climbs through the wooded hillside. At roughly 0.3 miles, the trail bisects the Bear Gulch Trail (an alternative way of accessing the trail) and enters into an area of ferns and second growth redwoods. As you continue, the redwoods fade and eucalyptus trees become more predominant as the woods open up a little bit and you get glimpses of Stanford off to the left. You can see the Dish and the Hoover Tower at various points along the trail as it gradually ascends the hillside. At roughly 0.9 miles, the trail begins to run parallel to the Alambique Trail until the two eventually intersect. Take a left and begin your descent down the Alambique Trail. The trail descends more steeply now as the trail makes its way back to the parking lot. You might catch a glimpse of the South Bay, but most of the trail is is shaded by the forest around you. At roughly 1.8 miles, you arrive back at the stables and the parking lot.