Los Trancos Open Space Preserve is a natural area located in the Santa Cruz Mountains above Palo Alto. This open space preserve features a diverse landscape of rolling grassland knolls, oak woodlands, and cool, shaded forests, making it suitable for several outdoor activities. The preserve is notably bisected by the San Andreas Fault, offering unique geological features alongside its varied terrain. Visitors can engage in several sports like hiking, jogging, road cycling, mountain biking, and more within the broader Los…
97
Routes
4.8
(75)
Average rating
1566
People visited

5.0
(4)
30
hikers
6.06km
01:46
160m
160m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
hikers
4.40km
01:20
220m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
9.35km
02:43
250m
250m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.35km
00:56
10m
170m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(2)
155
riders
92.0km
05:05
1,830m
1,830m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
36
riders
22.8km
00:56
160m
160m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
131
riders
25.0km
01:30
640m
640m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

14
riders
15.1km
01:00
420m
420m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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29
runners
11.9km
01:39
440m
440m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8.19km
00:58
240m
240m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
runners
5.56km
00:41
140m
140m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2.19km
00:17
50m
50m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
63
riders
53.7km
04:00
1,240m
1,240m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

49
riders
38.2km
03:06
990m
990m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

26
riders
24.8km
01:56
650m
650m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

22
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
19
riders
9.89km
01:10
360m
360m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

25
riders
17.8km
02:44
550m
550m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5.0
(1)
25
riders
40.2km
05:10
1,280m
1,280m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5.0
(1)
16
riders
21.7km
03:09
650m
650m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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5.0
(1)
5
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
7
riders
26.1km
01:51
380m
380m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
48.1km
03:34
1,170m
1,170m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
48.2km
03:59
1,300m
1,300m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Los Trancos Open Space Preserve is primarily designated for hiking, jogging, and equestrian use. While bicycles are not permitted on trails within the preserve itself, the broader region offers routes for road cycling, mountain biking, and touring cycling. The preserve features approximately 5 miles of trails for exploration.
The preserve is bisected by the San Andreas Fault, one of the world's longest and most active faults. Visitors can explore a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) self-guided interpretive trail that explains earthquake-caused phenomena. This geological feature makes the preserve a unique educational destination.
Yes, Los Trancos Open Space Preserve offers easy hiking options suitable for various skill levels. Some trails are short loops, ideal for a relaxed experience. For specific routes, refer to the Easy hikes in Los Trancos Open Space Preserve guide.
Information regarding dog access varies by specific trail and preserve regulations. For details on where dogs are permitted, consult the Dog-friendly hikes in Los Trancos Open Space Preserve guide. Always check local signage for current rules.
Los Trancos Open Space Preserve provides trails suitable for families, including shorter and less strenuous options. These routes offer an opportunity to experience nature together. Find suitable paths in the Family-friendly hikes in Los Trancos Open Space Preserve guide.
Bicycles, including mountain bikes, are not permitted on trails within Los Trancos Open Space Preserve itself. However, the surrounding region does offer mountain biking opportunities. Explore routes in the MTB Trails in Los Trancos Open Space Preserve guide for nearby options.
Situated at about 2,000 feet (610 meters) elevation, the preserve offers panoramic views on clear days. These vistas can extend to the skyscrapers of San Francisco and Mt. Diablo across the bay. The diverse terrain also provides scenic views of rolling grasslands and oak woodlands.
Komoot features 20 total routes in Los Trancos Open Space Preserve and the surrounding region. These routes have an average rating of 4.62 stars from more than 2,200 ratings. Over 33,000 visitors have explored the area using komoot.
Komoot offers several guides for hiking in the preserve, catering to different interests. These include Hiking in Los Trancos Open Space Preserve, Easy hikes in Los Trancos Open Space Preserve, and Family-friendly hikes in Los Trancos Open Space Preserve.
For more information about Los Trancos Open Space Preserve, visit the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's official website at openspace.org. For non-emergency inquiries, the preserve can be reached by phone at 650-691-1200.
Yes, jogging is a permitted activity within Los Trancos Open Space Preserve. The diverse terrain, featuring grasslands and shaded forests, provides varied options for runners. Explore suitable routes in the Running Trails in Los Trancos Open Space Preserve guide.
The preserve's diverse ecosystems, ranging from grasslands to dense forests, support various wildlife. Visitors might encounter local animals and observe diverse plant life such as willow, dock, and cattails around Alpine Pond. The air is often scented with bay leaves and sweet grass.

