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Skyline Trail

Intermediate
 3.9 (32)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Bay Area
  4. Castle Rock State Park
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“A ridgetop ride along the top of the Santa Cruz Mountains. ”

Eric Decker
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Map Key

6.1

Miles

9.8

KM
Singletrack

3,091' 942 m

High

2,646' 806 m

Low

687' 209 m

Up

892' 272 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

17%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Please stay off trails marked "no bikes."

Description

From Hwy 35 at Black Road, proceed north on Hwy 35. On the right-hand side of the road will be parking at Sunnyvale Mountain. The trailhead is on the northern side of the parking lot.

The main trail is a combination of old logging road and singletrack. Follow the ridgetop as the trail winds among various hills and dales. Here you'll encounter some climbing, but mostly a very nice beginner trail. Some of the climbing can be a bit much for beginners, but it's all walkable and certainly not too long.

Skyline makes for a very nice out and back, riding from parking lot to parking lot. Most of the time you feel quite deep in the trees.

Note that in one section near the Summit Rock Parking Area, bikes are not allowed on the trail and must exit to the road for a short distance before re-entering the trail. This routing is well marked and serves to separate hiking and biking traffic over a short stretch.
For its duration, you'll experience gorgeous views of the Santa Clara Valley and sandstone rock formations.

Contacts

Local Club: Silicon Valley Mountain Bikers

Apr 19, 2021: Waterdog Needs Your Help!

Nov 12, 2020: Dirt Alpine Reconstruction

Aug 7, 2020: ACTION ALERT: 2 Minutes to help Mountain Biking in Our Area

Land Manager: Santa Clara County Parks

Shared By:

Eric Decker
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 32 votes

#1

in Castle Rock State Park

#501

Overall
  3.9 from 32 votes
5 Star
28%
4 Star
47%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
9%
1 Star
3%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Castle Rock State Park

#36

in California

#501

Overall
239 Views Last Month
11,002 Since Apr 21, 2015
Intermediate
3%
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71%
10%
16%
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Photos

What the road section of the Skyline Trail lacks in singletrack, it makes up for with expansive mountain views.
Dec 18, 2016 near Saratoga, CA
Some great views from the Skyline Trail!
Apr 24, 2015 near Saratoga, CA
End of the trail - picnic tables at Sunnyvale Peak TrailHead
Dec 16, 2020 near Saratoga, CA

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Check-Ins

May 8, 2021
Joonas Lehtinen
Apr 23, 2021
R P
A few technical sections 6.5mi
Apr 3, 2021
Vince Espo
Jan 23, 2021
Adam Dustan
Jan 16, 2021
James Bishop
Nov 4, 2020
Audrey Fletcher
Went backwards on the trail and came back on the road 10.1mi
Jul 8, 2020
Chris D
Rode out n back from p-lot. Some challenges to beginner 11yr olds though good exposure to technical. Climbs manageable some walking for them, shady 6mi
May 24, 2020
Matt Poland
Great and challenging out-and-back for a beginner mountain biker. Gorgeous scenery and couple of walkable little techy sections. 6mi — 2h 15m

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