Boccardo Loop Trail

The Boccardo Loop Trail is a great loop on the western edge of the Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve. The trail starts from the end of the Sierra Vista Trail, and no matter which direction you go from this junction, you'll start the loop on a downhill. Going counterclockwise, you are faced wth a steady mile-long downhill. Shortly after starting the loop, you'll pass the Boccardo Loop Spur on the left-hand side. The trail passed through grassy hillsides and oak woodlands with views of Santa Clara Valley and Mt Hamilton. On a clear day, you can even see all the way to San Francisco. After about a mile and a half, the trail starts to climb, and you'll regain the elevation that you lost on the first half of the loop as you climb back to your start point with the junction with the Sierra Vista Trail. The trail doesn't have much shade, so be sure to bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen especially on a clear summer day.