Here’s your local guide on where to hike in South County, including distance and links to past columns by outdoor columnist Ron Erskine.
Alamden Quicksilver County Park: Rolling walk to old quicksilver mine – moderate length
Alviso/Bottom of the Bay: Bay wetlands, levees, and birds – short walk
Bear Ranch: Level ramble, valley views
Bear Ranch Ridgeline: Long rolling ramble, valley views, lake views
Bear Ranch – Mummy Mountain Trail: Sierra-like views and exposures
Calero County Park: Rolling hill south of Calero Reservoir – Figueroa Trail
Coe Park – China Hole: 10-mile walk to a classic Coe destination
Coe Park – Cross country to Middle Fork: Ambitious trip to rarely visitied stretch of creek
Coe Park – Forest/Springs Trail Loop: Easy 3.5 miles – flowers, views, variety
Coe Park – Frog Lake loop: Lovely middle distance walk. Flowers and views
Coe Park loop – Middle Ridge: Great 6-mile loop – fall, spring
Coe Park’s Mother Madrone: Finding a massive madrone on the Middle Ridge Trail
Coe Park loop – Pine Ridge: Short loop, good spring flowers
Coe Park – Hunting Hollow: Steep climb to late spring flowers – various lengths
Coe Park Backcountry: Large remote wilderness
Coyote Creek Parkway (upstream): Wetlands and waterfowl – short, level
Coyote Creek Parkway – (downstream): Creekside riparian habitat, near freeway – short level
Coyote Ridge: Flowers, wildlife, and interesting biology – short, steep
El Toro history: Steep, steep climb – great views
El Toro annual hike: Steep, steep climb – great views
El Toro: Could be open soon
Fremont Peak: Short walk to summit. Great views.
Gilroy Hot Springs: Scheduled visit to this historic site
Mt. Madonna County Park: Steep wooded climb, cool in summer
Mt. Madonna Watersheds: Short rolling walk in two rainforest-like watersheds
Old Stage Road – north: Climbs the hills near San Juan Bautista – short climb
Old Stage Road – south: Far side of road near San Juan Bautista- short climb
Pacheco State Park: Rolling terrain, great views – various lengths
Panoche Valley: Huge isolated valley – go in spring
Pinnacles National Monument – Chalone Pk.: Highest point at Pinnacles with views over Salinas Valley
Rancho Canada del Oro: Views, flowers, variety. Some steep portions
San Pedro Ponds – Morgan Hill: Trails around restored percolation ponds
Santa Teresa County Park: Bare terrain, spring flowers, views of Almaden – short climb
Uvas County Park: Waterfalls, forests, cool in summer
