El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (Closed Area)
El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (Closed Area)
El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (Closed Area) is a diverse open space preserve situated in the Santa Cruz Mountains, characterized by dense second-growth redwood and mixed evergreen forests, deep canyons, and unique geological formations. The preserve's varied terrain, which includes former logging roads and purpose-built singletrack, provides a dynamic environment for outdoor activities. Enthusiasts can explore numerous routes across several sports like hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and more.
93
Routes
4.8
(116)
Average rating
2050
People visited

5.0
(7)
81
hikers
24.0km
07:23
790m
1,070m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(5)
49
hikers
8.78km
02:39
290m
300m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
30
hikers
20.6km
06:13
670m
710m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
30
hikers
11.0km
03:27
450m
440m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(6)
146
riders
36.3km
04:04
1,150m
1,150m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
57
riders
18.3km
01:55
460m
460m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(11)
158
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.8
(8)
90
riders
15.8km
01:50
550m
550m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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1
runners
5.29km
00:36
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

75
runners
19.7km
02:34
510m
510m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

23
runners
16.3km
01:54
180m
180m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

17
runners
12.9km
01:35
220m
220m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.3
(3)
119
riders
59.3km
03:36
1,500m
1,500m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

78
riders
60.2km
03:20
1,210m
1,210m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

31
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
12
riders
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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5.0
(1)
57
riders
85.6km
06:15
1,860m
1,860m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

22
riders
11.9km
01:24
420m
420m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

19
riders
66.5km
04:53
1,310m
1,310m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

18
riders
65.8km
04:54
1,500m
1,510m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(2)
10
riders
33.2km
01:55
160m
160m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
11.9km
01:20
420m
420m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
42.4km
03:35
1,140m
1,140m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
46.7km
03:38
1,210m
1,210m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve offers a variety of activities including Hiking, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The preserve features over 34 miles of multiuse trails. Many routes are available for exploration, catering to different skill levels.
Yes, the preserve is popular for mountain biking, offering a range of trails from technical singletrack to flowing routes. Riders can find challenging terrain, including downhill runs and sustained climbs. For more information, consult the MTB Trails in El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (Closed Area) guide.
Hikers can explore diverse landscapes, including dense second-growth redwood and mixed evergreen forests. Trails range from easy to difficult, with popular options like the Tafoni & El Corte de Madera Creek Trails loop. Find more details in the Hiking in El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (Closed Area) guide.
Yes, the preserve offers opportunities for touring and road cyclists, with routes that include challenging ascents and descents. Its location near Skyline Boulevard and extensive trail system, including former logging roads, supports various cycling experiences. Refer to the Cycling in El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (Closed Area) guide for more.
The preserve offers routes for various skill levels, including easy and family-friendly options. These trails wind through forests and past natural features, providing accessible outdoor experiences. Explore specific routes in the Family-friendly hikes and Easy hikes guides.
Visitors can observe dense second-growth redwood and mixed evergreen forests, including scattered rare old-growth redwoods like the Methuselah Tree. Unique Tafoni sandstone formations are also present, accessible via trails such as the Tafoni Trail. Certain vantage points offer coastal views of the Pacific Ocean.
Yes, dogs are permitted in El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. Specific trails and regulations may apply, so visitors should check official guidelines. For dog-friendly hiking options, consult the Dog-friendly hikes in El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (Closed Area) guide.
El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 17,000 visitors having shared their experiences. Routes in the preserve have an average rating of 4.75 out of 5 stars, based on over 900 ratings.
Komoot offers several guides for the preserve, including those for Hiking, MTB Trails, and Cycling. There are also specialized guides for Family-friendly hikes and Dog-friendly hikes.
El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve is managed by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. The official website is openspace.org. For direct inquiries, the phone number is +1 650-691-1200.
The preserve is known for its Tafoni sandstone formations, which are intricate, honeycomb-like structures. These formations are created by natural weathering processes over centuries. They are a significant geological highlight and can be observed along specific trails.
Yes, despite its steep, forested terrain, the preserve offers coastal views from certain vantage points. For example, a vista point on the Fir Trail provides panoramic glimpses of the Pacific Ocean. These views also encompass the forested Santa Cruz Mountains and grassy coastal hills.

