10 Best Hikes and Trails in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve | AllTrails

Best Trails in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

3,579 Reviews
Want to find the best trails in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 12 great trails for hiking and more. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Explore one of 2 easy hiking trails in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve that are great for the whole family. Looking for a more strenuous hike? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 308 to 2,555 feet in elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Monte Bello Open Space Preserve.
Description

Hours: half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset

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Map of trails in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, California
Park information
Acreage
3,436 acres
Helpful links

Top trails (12)

  1. Monte Bello Preserve Loop
    Moderate4.6(945)
    #1 - Monte Bello Preserve Loop
    Length: 7.0 miEst. 3h 27m
    Monte Bello Preserve Loop is a moderate to difficult loop through Monte Bello Open Space Preserve and a portion of Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve as it summits Black Mountain. The well-maintained route offers beautiful rolling hills, spectacular views from Santa Cruz to the Bay, and a number of wildlife and wildflower viewing opportunities, especially in late March and early April. There is limited shade on the ascent but plenty of tree cover on the way down. There is no drinkable...
  2. Monte Bello Black Mountain Loop
    Moderate4.6(782)
    #2 - Monte Bello Black Mountain Loop
    Length: 5.5 miEst. 2h 43m
    This loop starts at the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve parking lot and takes the shortest path to Black Mountain, with nice views of the area on Bella Vista Trail. The return path goes down to Stevens Creek and back up to the parking lot with Canyon Trail. Variations are possible by branching off to Stevens Creek Nature Trail and others from there (Skid Rd Trail, White Oak Trail).
  3. Black Mountain via Old Ranch, Bella Vista and Canyon Trail
    Moderate4.5(479)
    #3 - Black Mountain via Old Ranch, Bella Vista and Canyon Trail
    Length: 5.1 miEst. 2h 20m
  4. Stevens Creek Nature Trail to White Oak Trail Loop
    Moderate4.6(416)
    #4 - Stevens Creek Nature Trail to White Oak Trail Loop
    Length: 3.6 miEst. 1h 42m
  5. Loop Through Monte Bello, Skyline Ridge, Russian Ridge, and Coal Creek
    Hard4.6(273)
    #5 - Loop Through Monte Bello, Skyline Ridge, Russian Ridge, and Coal Creek
    Length: 11.1 miEst. 5h 22m
    This hike passes through 4 different Mid-peninsula open space preserves. Monte Bello, Skyline Ridge, Russian Ridge, and Coal Creek. Along the way you will get some of the best long range views available on the peninsula. Begining in Monte Bello, you hike the easy route to the summit of Black Mountain via the Canyon and Bella Vista Trails. If the weather is clear enough, from the summit you can see north to San Francisco and Oakland, east to the Diablo range, South to San Jose, and west to...
  6. Stevens Creek Nature Trail Loop
    Moderate4.5(266)
    #6 - Stevens Creek Nature Trail Loop
    Length: 2.8 miEst. 1h 20m
  7. Stevens Creek Nature Trail, Horseshoe Lake Loop, and Lower White Oak Trail
    Moderate4.6(108)
    #7 - Stevens Creek Nature Trail, Horseshoe Lake Loop, and Lower White Oak Trail
    Length: 5.5 miEst. 2h 27m
    Good for hot days since there is plenty of shade along this narrow trail.
  8. Stevens Creek Nature Trail and Lower White Oak Trail Loop
    Moderate4.4(140)
    #8 - Stevens Creek Nature Trail and Lower White Oak Trail Loop
    Length: 3.2 miEst. 1h 31m
  9. Canyon Trail, Indian Creek, Black Mountain
    Hard4.3(64)
    #9 - Canyon Trail, Indian Creek, Black Mountain
    Length: 16.5 mi
  10. Water Wheel Trail to Black Mountain
    Moderate4.2(55)
    #10 - Water Wheel Trail to Black Mountain
    Length: 5.1 miEst. 2h 21m
Showing results 1 - 10 of 12

Frequently asked trail questions about Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

Where is the best place to hike in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is Monte Bello Preserve Loop, which has a 4.6 star rating from 945 reviews. This trail is 7.0 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,371 ft.

What is the longest trail in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is Canyon Trail, Indian Creek, Black Mountain. This trail is estimated to be 16.5 mi long.

How many trails are in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve?

There are 12 trails in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. These trails have an average 4.4-star rating from 3,579 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Monte Bello Open Space Preserve has you covered. Canyon Trail, Indian Creek, Black Mountain boasts the most elevation gain with 2,555 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Loop Through Monte Bello, Skyline Ridge, Russian Ridge, and Coal Creek, which will get you 2,089 ft of elevation gain.

Are there running trails available in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 7 running trails in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve and the most popular is Monte Bello Preserve Loop with an average 4.6 star rating from 945 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 5 biking trails in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve and the most popular is Stevens Creek Nature Trail to White Oak Trail Loop with an average 4.6 star rating from 416 community reviews.