Santa Cruz
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Description: What a cool place to ride! Wilder Ranch has everything from climbs, to single track, to beach cliff trails. There are meadows, cool dark forest, and farmland. 34 miles of trail, about 40% single track. There is only a 1000 foot elevation gain in the park, but depending on how Wilder is ridden, the 1000 ft. can turn into 3000 feet of climbing. Wilder is the only park with 5 miles of ocean bluff trail. And while some trails can be ridden by a beginner and most trails at Wilder are easily ridden by an intermediate rider, some are extremely difficult, so there is something for everyone. Four double black diamond trails in particular to be aware of are:
- The Enchanted Loop Trail is a steep hill through a dark redwood forest with a series of 1-2 foot drop offs over tree roots.
- The Eucalyptus Loop Trail contains tricky single track drops down steep embankments to cross washed out stream beds which are very challenging. The loop also contains wide dirt roads that are very easy, so don’t get fooled!
- The Wilder Ridge Loop is a twisting rough technical single track
- The Zane Gray Cutoff is a rocky, rough and steep technical single track
The recommended Big Ride takes in all these trails plus a wide variety of less challenging trails, including the Ohlone Bluff Trail.
The Ohlone Bluff Trail, which comprises most of our recommenced “Flat Ride” is a trail like no other in this guide. With a continuous unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean, small coves with white sand beaches, and 30 foot cliff faces, the ride provides spectacular views. The Ohlone Bluff Trail is flat, hence why we call it the “Flat Ride”. We have rated it “easy” with an overall difficulty rating of 10, which is very low. However, by the standards of the IMBA trail rating system, the trail could get an intermediate rating because it is, in places, a single track less than 1 foot wide. Most riders will find it very easy and very enjoyable, because there are so few trails running on the ocean anywhere in the US. But beginner riders will need to navigate a few sections that are skinny or sandy.
In addition to all the trails inside Wilder Ranch, there are several trails that connect Wilder to other places to ride in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The upper reaches of Wilder are bounded by Empire Grade Road, which also bounds the University of Santa Cruz campus. The Chinquapin Trail crosses the Empire Grade Road from Wilder into the UCSC campus to where there is an abundance of single track and fire road. Continuing further on the northeast side of UCSC is Pogonip Santa Cruz City Park and that shares a boundary with Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. The 7 Mile Cowell/Wilder Regional Trail connects Wilder and Henry Cowell by cutting across the UC Santa Cruz campus and Pogonip. See the separate heading for Redwoods to the Ocean for route suggestions that connect all these parks. Restrooms at the parking lot and the historic Wilder Ranch buildings. Due to budget cuts, trails are not well marked at Wilder, and some trails still have signs from an earlier set of trail names that have since changed.
During the Wet Season: Trails are usually open, but there have been times when the entire park is closed after weeks of rain.
Directions: SR 1 north from Santa Cruz 4 miles. A link to the parking location in Google Maps is here.