Demo: Flow/Sawpit

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Features Flow · Technical

This classic Demo Forest loop delivers the best of both worlds: machine-built flow and natural, rugged singletrack. Starting with the famous Flow Trail's miles of rollers and berms, you'll climb back into the forest and drop into Sawpit Trail — a longer, more technical descent with roots, loam, and plenty of speed. With two world-class downhills linked by mellow fire road climbs, this ride is the essential Demo sampler.

Need to Know
Parking is on Highland Way (no fee, limited shoulder parking).
No restrooms or water at the trailhead — bring what you need.
Cell service is unreliable; download maps for offline use.
Trail direction is one-way on Flow (downhill only).
Fire road climbs are shaded but sustained; an e-MTB makes laps much easier.
Best riding conditions are fall through spring when dirt is tacky; summer can be dusty.

Begin at the Highland Way parking lot and ride past the gate onto Hihn's Mill Road. Climb steadily on fire road until you reach Sulphur Springs Road, then continue climbing until you connect with Ridge Trail. Follow Ridge west to the top of Flow Trail, where the fun begins.

Descend Flow Trail from top to bottom — 4 miles of continuous berms, rollers, jumps, and smooth dirt. At the bottom, rejoin Hihn's Mill Road briefly, then climb Sulphur Springs Road back up to Ridge Trail. Continue past the Flow start to reach Sawpit Trail.

Drop into Sawpit for a completely different flavor — narrower tread, rooty sections, faster straightaways, and a raw, natural feel. This descent lasts nearly as long as Flow but trades sculpted berms for loamy, forested singletrack.

At the bottom, rejoin Hihn's Mill Road and follow it all the way back out to the Highland Way lot. Approx. 18–20 miles, 3,000–3,500 ft climbing, 2.5–3.5 hrs depending on pace and stops.

Soquel Demonstration State Forest ("Demo") was formerly private logging land and is now managed by Cal Fire as a demonstration working forest. Many of the MTB trails are volunteer-built in partnership with MBOSC (Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz). Flow Trail was constructed in 2014–2015 as one of the longest continuous flow trails in California.