Pescadero Creek Park Trails

Please note: The trails section of the Pescadero Creek Park web site is currently being updated to reflect changes made to the park trail system. Some of the maps and information below may be incorrect. See our current map or brochure for better information.

To navigate to an individual trail, click on the trail name marked in orange, or use the trails table at the bottom of the page.

Pescadero TrailsPortola Trail Shaw Flat Trail Towne Fire Road Towne Fire Road Towne Fire Road Tarwater Trail Loop Tarwater Trail Loop Tarwater Trail Loop Tarwater Trail Loop Old Haul Road Old Haul Road Jones Gulch Trail Bear Ridge Trail Canyon Trail Pomponio Trail Pomponio Trail Pomponio Trail Pomponio Trail Brook Loop Trail Brook Loop Trail Brook Loop Trail Bridge Trail Butano Ridge Loop Trail Butano Ridge Loop Trail Butano Ridge Loop Trail Bravo Fire Road

Hiking trails provide scenic excursions of varied difficulty levels, that can last anything from an hour to all day.

Horseback riding is permitted on all Pescadero Creek Park trails. Check with park rangers for trail conditions prior to riding. Some trails are closed during the Winter Season. No rental horses are available.

Bicycles are allowed only on designated service roads. Please check with park rangers.

Observe all trail signs and posted speed limits. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed off designated paved areas. Please respect your fellow trail users and follow the trail etiquette guidelines for safe and courteous trail use.

Bear Ridge Trail

This 1-mile length of natural trail has an elevation change of 340 feet. It is a trail connector to Brook Trail Loop and Pomponio Trail for hikers and equestrians and provides access to the upper Canyon Trail.... View moreView Bear Ridge Trail

Bravo Fire Road

This steep, 1.5-mile, road has had multiple names over the years and provides an alternate route for hikers and equestrians from the Towne Fire Trail to the Bear Ridge Trail users enjoy seeing old growth Redwoods as they travel along the road.... View moreView Bravo Fire Road

Bridge Trail

This 1.1-mile hiking and equestrian trail that connects Old Haul Road with Pomponio Trail and Tarwater Loop Trail. Stop on the bridge for a magnificent view of Pescadero Creek.... View moreView Bridge Trail

Brook Trail Loop

Hikers and equestrians enjoy beautiful vistas of the Pacific Ocean, grasslands and old growth Redwoods traveling this 6.0 mile trail. This trail provides access to Pomponio Trail and connects with Old Haul Road and access to Memorial Park.... View moreView Brook Trail Loop

Butano Ridge Loop Trail

Hikers, riders and their horses need to be prepared for the 2,000-plus foot elevation change along this 10.3 mile trail. Beginning at Old Haul Road, the trail climbs through second growth Redwoods and mixed evergreen forest. This trail can be accessed from either the Wurr Road entrance or Portola Redwoods State Park.... View moreView Butano Ridge Loop Trail

Canyon Trail

Canyon Trail provides access to Tarwater Loop Trail from Bear Ridge Trail and Brook Trail Loop. It contains some great views of Tarwater Canyon and old growth redwoods.... View moreView Canyon Trail

Jones Gulch Trail

Although this trail is for equestrians and hikers, hikers are only allowed on the single track section of this trail that connects to the Towne Fire Road. Large old growth Redwoods are found along this short alternate route to the Pomponio Trail.... View moreView Jones Gulch Trail

Old Haul Road

This 5.7 mile multi-use route for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians goes from Memorial Park to Portola State Park. Within Pescadero Creek Park, many of the other trails intersect with Old Haul Road. This is also the main access road for maintenance crews so stay alert for trucks and tractors.... View moreView Old Haul Road

Pomponio Trail

This trail crosses the west end of Pescadero Creek and climbs about a half mile and then descends to the Towne Creek area where hikers and equestrians can enjoy a small fern grotto. Users need to watch the signs as the route changes from single track to fire road in several places with numerous junctions encountered.... View moreView Pomponio Trail

Portola Trail

This connector trail runs from Old Haul Road in the Portola Redwood State Park to the southern part of the Butano Ridge Loop Trail. In the winter months, hikers and equestrians can enjoy the sight of a small waterfall on Fall Creek.... View moreView Portola Trail

Shaw Flat Trail

Hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians use this trail to access the Shaw Flat Trail Camp from Old Haul and Towne Fire Roads. Users of the Shaw Flat Trail Camp must pack in their own water and cooking fuel.... View moreView Shaw Flat Trail

Tarwater Loop Trail

Hikers and equestrians using this 4.7 mile loop will travel by an old dairy farm, an early shingle mill and one of the largest Coast redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Naturally occurring crude oil deposits are present in some portions of Tarwater Creek.... View moreView Tarwater Loop Trail

Towne Fire Road

Used by hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians, this 5-mile stretch of road connects the Sam McDonald Park parking lot with Old Haul Road and is the access point for many trails in Pescadero Creek Park. As it has a steep grade, it is recommended for the downhill portion of your hike.... View moreView Towne Fire Road
COVID-19 Info
Back to Top