close
      The park has 34 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails winding through coastal terraces and valleys. Several restored buildings once belonging to the Wilder family are preserved. The park has tours and living history demonstrations to help visitors explore the history of early ranchers and farmers along the Central Coast.

      This is the goto place when you first come to explore the trails of Santa Cruz county. It offers some nice redwood forested single track and gorgeous ocean views of Monterey Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
      Primary Trail Type: Cross-Country
      Land Status: State Park
      Land Manager: California State Parks
      Parking google parking directions

      Trail info last updated

      Activities Click to view
      Region Details
      • 12
      • 2
      • 8
      • 18
      • 3

      Region Status
      Open as of Sep 13, 2026
      Local Trail Association

      Stats

      Avg Trail Rating
      Trails (view details)
      43
      Trails Mountain Bike
      43
      Trails E-Bike
      24
      Trails Gravel Bike
      15
      Trails Adaptive Bike
      2
      Trails Horse
      30
      Trails Hike
      42
      Trails Trail Running
      42
      Total Distance
      53 miles
      Total Descent
      9,842 ft
      Total Vertical
      1,727 ft
      Highest Trailhead
      1,752 ft
      Reports
      1,715
      Photos
      371
      Completed Counter
      68,749

      Popular Wilder Ranch State Park Mountain Biking Trails

      100 3.8 4,390 ft 6 ft 3,719
      Nice green flow trail. There's some parts you'll need to peddle but if you take it fast enough it shades into blue.
      100 4.3 1 mile 0 ft 3,281
      New Singletrack Reroute of Trail - built by MBOSC and State Parks and opened in May 2019. Trail climbs at a gentle grade up the sides of the old marine terrace. This is a busy two-way trail with lots of hikers and equestrians. Take 'er...
      90 4.1 5,052 ft 176 ft 3,087
      Classic forest trail. Some flow-y sections, some technical sections going over tree routes. Works both directions though I prefer east to west (opposite of map).
      80 4.4 1 mile 272 ft 2,500
      Ride Clockwise for a fun, root strewn descent (drop in on the southern end, closer to the coast) Plenty of opportunities to boost over roots, but you can roll them too. Watch for the drop-off/switchback. Climb out was rerouted in 2016...
      75 3.7 4,393 ft 107 ft 2,417
      Fun single track through redwood trees. There are a couple of breakaway bridge crossings and the approaches and climbs out of the creeks are the most technically challenging on this trail.
      80 3.8 2,612 ft 22 ft 2,174
      Popular blue difficulty singletrack. This multi-use trail can be used downhill primary. On average it takes 4 minutes to complete this trail.
      65 4.0 1 mile 38 ft 1,545
      Highly rated moderately popular green difficulty singletrack. This multi-use trail can be used downhill primary. On average it takes 5 minutes to complete this trail.
      55 3.7 4,688 ft 34 ft 1,441
      This trail includes technical rocky terrain! Great fun!

      Recent Ride Log Activity in Region

      Today
      • 5 rides
      Yesterday
      • 6 rides
      Past Week
      • 123 rides

      Wilder Ranch State Park Mountain Bike Routes

      3.9 10 miles 1,234 ft 8
      Update loop with new Englseman trail (thanks MBoSC!)
      5.0 21 miles 1,943 ft 12
      This loop incorporates the best of . The only thing to note is the is ridden clockwise NOT...
      5.0 21 miles 2,185 ft 22
      DISCOVERY OF AREA
      11 miles 1,399 ft 6 Loop
      A Wilder Classic with a bit of redwood and excellent ocean views. The more technical descent of can be...
      8 miles 994 ft 6
      Update loop with new Englseman trail (thanks MBoSC!)
      11 miles 1,299 ft 5
      An 11 mile loop for a good ride.

      Photos of Wilder Ranch State Park Mountain Bike

      mtb
      733 |
      Jan 11, 2017 @ 1:29pm
      Jan 11, 2017
      mtb
      869 |
      Apr 19, 2015 @ 3:12pm
      Apr 19, 2015
      mtb
      51 |
      Aug 13, 2026 @ 2:59pm
      Aug 13, 2026
      mtb
      50 |
      Aug 13, 2026 @ 2:58pm
      Aug 13, 2026
      mtb
      47 |
      Jul 10, 2026 @ 11:42am
      Jul 10, 2026
      mtb
      37 |
      Jul 10, 2026 @ 11:41am
      Jul 10, 2026
      mtb
      56 |
      Mar 3, 2026 @ 5:10pm
      Mar 3, 2026
      mtb
      162 |
      Nov 27, 2025 @ 10:53pm
      Nov 27, 2025
      mtb
      187 |
      Nov 27, 2025 @ 10:53pm
      Nov 27, 2025
      mtb
      168 |
      Mar 8, 2024 @ 3:07pm
      Mar 8, 2024
      mtb
      127 |
      Dec 25, 2024 @ 10:28am
      Dec 25, 2024
      mtb
      379 |
      Jul 29, 2024 @ 3:08pm
      Jul 29, 2024

      Videos of Wilder Ranch State Park Mountain Bike

      Eucalyptus Loop Log Crossing
      mtb
      trail: Rodrigo
      0:12 | 12 | Feb 2, 2026
      Cheater!
      mtb
      trail: Old Cabin
      0:18 | 214 | May 29, 2019
      Not a bike but
      mtb
      0:25 | 322 | May 29, 2019
      1-25-14 wilder ranch ucsc sweetness
      mtb
      9:13 | 264 | Jan 26, 2014
      Wilder Ranch small jumps
      mtb
      0:48 | 61 | Dec 1, 2013
      Santa Cruz Mountains Cycling Team @ Wilder Ranch
      mtb
      5:57 | 262 | Dec 9, 2012
      7-7-12 Wilder Ranch mecam wash out!
      mtb
      2:31 | 219 | Jul 7, 2012
      Mountain Biking Wilder Ranch at Santa Cruz
      mtb
      14:25 | 217 | Aug 5, 2025 , Santa Cruz

      Recent Trail Reports

      Activity Feed

      usernameactiontypetitledate
      CalebzDfBCLwishlistrouteactivity #104226406
      Sep 20, 2026 @ 9:56am
      2 days
      scottchapinaddreportactivity #103724540 and 2 more
      Sep 13, 2026 @ 10:29am
      Sep 13, 2026
      neillittlewishlistregionactivity #103581713
      Sep 11, 2026 @ 6:19pm
      Sep 11, 2026
      EdgarafpuPNwishlistrouteactivity #103513315
      Sep 10, 2026 @ 5:52pm
      Sep 10, 2026
      EdgarafpuPNwishlistrouteactivity #103454704
      Sep 9, 2026 @ 8:37pm
      Sep 9, 2026

      Recent Comments

      usernametypetitlecommentdate
      ryansamuelsonCASPreportEnchanted LoopCleared by CASP.
      Aug 27, 2026 @ 2:20pm
      Aug 27, 2026
      JonsandersreportEnglisman CircleThe photos look like a duplicate of a tree...
      Aug 9, 2026 @ 7:03pm
      Aug 9, 2026
      TradewindsHDreportWest Engelsman Reroute (new)That was fast!!!! You guys are the best...
      Aug 7, 2026 @ 10:51am
      Aug 7, 2026
      ryansamuelsonCASPreportWest Engelsman Reroute (new)Removed by CASP.
      Aug 7, 2026 @ 8:21am
      Aug 7, 2026
      ValemmtrailEnglesmansSection north of the cross roads is single...
      Aug 4, 2026 @ 11:26pm
      Aug 4, 2026

      Nearby Areas

      namedistance
      UCSC 2 72.3 km
      Pogonip Open Space 1 22.8 km
      Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 2 6 84 km
      Bear Mountain4 km
      DeLaveaga Park 2 45 km

      Local Badges


      Activity Type Stats

      activitytypetrailsdistancedescentdescent distancetotal verticalratingglobal rankstate rankphotosreportsroutesactivity logs
      Mountain Bike4353 miles9,843 ft30 miles1,726 ft
      #256#883111,6991137,215
      E-Bike2438 miles5,751 ft20 miles1,106 ft
      #1,989#73541,53135,709
      Gravel Bike1525 miles2,897 ft13 miles1,106 ft
      #61#2148587
      Adaptive Bike22 miles673 ft2 miles505 ft
      #9#122311
      Horse3038 miles5,545 ft20 miles1,106 ft
      #827#4375419
      Hike4252 miles9,603 ft30 miles1,726 ft
      #1,740#751551,699900
      Trail Running4252 miles9,603 ft30 miles1,726 ft
      #2,902#7141,6991,005

      Frequently Asked Questions

      What are the highest rated mountain biking trails in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      The highest rated mountain biking trails in Wilder Ranch State Park are: View all mountain biking trails sorted by rating.
      What is the best time of the year to ride in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      Based on activity log data, the most popular months to ride in Wilder Ranch State Park are:
      • August (298 activities)
      • June (263 activities)
      • September (258 activities)
      Check the Wilder Ranch State Park reports page for current trail conditions, recent trail reports, and seasonal information from the local community.
      Where can I park to ride in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      There are 3 parking locations listed in Wilder Ranch State Park. The most popular parking spots are: View all parking and trailhead locations on the map to plan your visit.
      What is the longest trail in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      The longest trail in Wilder Ranch State Park is Ohlone Bluff Trail at 4.7 miles. View all trails sorted by distance.
      What are the best & highest rated hiking trails in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      What are the best & highest rated trail running trails in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      How many trails are in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      Wilder Ranch State Park has a total of 43 trails. Browse top mountain biking trails in Wilder Ranch State Park to find detailed information including difficulty ratings, distances, and trail conditions.
      Which trail has the most elevation gain in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      The trail with the most elevation gain in Wilder Ranch State Park is Wilder Ridge Loop with 609 ft of elevation gain. View all trails sorted by elevation gain.
      Which trail has the most elevation descent in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      The trail with the most elevation descent in Wilder Ranch State Park is Baldwin Loop with 558 ft of elevation descent. View all trails sorted by elevation descent.
      What activities are most popular in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      Wilder Ranch State Park supports the following activities: Mountain Biking, E-Biking, Gravel Biking, Adaptive Biking, Horseback, Hiking, Trail Running.
      What are the steepest mountain biking trails in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      The steepest mountain biking trail in Wilder Ranch State Park is Wilder Ridge Loop with an average grade of 2.1%. View all trails sorted by grade.
      Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      Yes, there are 1 scenic viewpoints marked along trails in Wilder Ranch State Park. Some popular viewpoints include: Explore more points of interest to find trails with the best views.
      What trails have the biggest jumps in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      The trails with the biggest jumps in Wilder Ranch State Park are: Browse all mountain bike trails to find trails with jumps and technical features.
      Are the trails open in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      The overall region status for Wilder Ranch State Park is Clear / Green. Out of 31 trails:
      • Clear / Green: 25
      • Minor Issue / Yellow: 3
      • Significant Issue / Amber: 3
      View the full trail status page for the latest updates.
      Can I ride an ebike in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      Yes, Wilder Ranch State Park supports e-bike riding. There are 23 trails in Wilder Ranch State Park that allow e-bikes. Check the e-bike trails listing for specific trail access details and any local regulations.
      What are the most popular mountain biking routes in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      The most popular mountain biking routes in Wilder Ranch State Park are: View all mountain biking routes in Wilder Ranch State Park.
      What type of bike is most common in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      Based on activity log data, the most common bike types used in Wilder Ranch State Park are:
      • AM (164 activities)
      • XC (38 activities)
      • DH (8 activities)
      • RD (4 activities)
      • Trials (2 activities)
      Check the Wilder Ranch State Park activity logs for more details.
      What are the most popular Strava Segments in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      The most popular Strava segments in Wilder Ranch State Park are:
      • Eastbound Bike Path (43,243 athletes)
      • Westside Bike Path (19,290 athletes)
      • Westside Bike Path Hill Sprint (18,886 athletes)
      View all Strava segments in Wilder Ranch State Park.
      Are there accessible or adaptive trails in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      Yes, there are 2 accessible/adaptive trails in Wilder Ranch State Park. View all adaptive trails in Wilder Ranch State Park for specific accessibility information.
      What are the most popular mountain biking trails in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      What are the best beginner ride trails in Wilder Ranch State Park?
      The best beginner mountain biking trails in Wilder Ranch State Park are: View all beginner mountain biking trails in Wilder Ranch State Park.
      • By brenthillierTF Pro NSMBA TRAILFORKS & contributors
      • Admins: SCMTS Admin, SCMTS Admin
      • #3592 - 69,334 views

      Downloading of trail gps tracks in kml & gpx formats is enabled for Wilder Ranch State Park.
      You must login to download files.