The best cycling routes in St. Joseph'S Hill Open Space Preserve

There are nearly 100 touring cycling routes in St. Joseph'S Hill Open Space Preserve, offering a wide range of experiences from easy creek-side rides to challenging hill climbs.

Yes, St. Joseph'S Hill Open Space Preserve offers several easy routes. A great option for a relaxed outing is the Los Gatos Creek Trail, which is 16.7 miles (26.9 km) long and features a relatively flat path along the creek.

For experienced touring cyclists seeking a challenge, routes like the Capitola Village – Mountain Charlie Road loop from Lexington Reservoir County Park offer significant elevation gain over 85.1 km. Another difficult option is the Pringle Grove loop from Lexington Reservoir County Park, covering 71.4 km with over 1100 meters of ascent.

Yes, many routes are designed as loops. A popular difficult circular route is the Lexington Reservoir – St. Joseph's Hill loop from Los Gatos, which is 18.5 miles (29.8 km) and offers scenic views around the reservoir. Another challenging loop is the Kennedy Road loop from Los Gatos.

The preserve offers diverse scenery, including significant elevation changes, views of the Lexington Reservoir, and paths through creek valleys, wooded sections, and open spaces. You'll find a mix of natural landscapes throughout your ride.

Along the routes, you can discover several scenic spots. Highlights include the Saint Josephs Hill summit, offering panoramic views, and specific viewpoints like the View of Los Gatos and Lexington Reservoir from St. Joseph's Hill and the View of Silicon Valley from St. Joseph's Hill.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars from over 60 reviews. Reviewers often praise the varied terrain, from gentle creek trails to challenging hill climbs, and the beautiful natural surroundings including reservoir-side paths and wooded sections.

The routes highlighted are specifically curated for touring cycling, meaning they are generally suitable for touring bikes. While the preserve has varied terrain, these routes are selected for their touring bike compatibility, ranging from paved paths to well-maintained gravel sections.

St. Joseph'S Hill Open Space Preserve is generally enjoyable for touring cycling year-round, though conditions can vary. Spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery. Summers can be warm, so early morning rides are recommended, while winters are typically mild but may have occasional wet conditions.

While the preserve itself is a natural area, the nearby town of Los Gatos, which serves as a common starting point for many routes, offers a variety of cafes, restaurants, and other amenities for cyclists before or after their ride.

Route durations vary significantly based on distance and difficulty. Easy routes like the Los Gatos Creek Trail can take around 1 hour 35 minutes, while more challenging and longer routes, such as the Capitola Village – Mountain Charlie Road loop, can take over 5 hours to complete.