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Ride the cliffs above the Pacific with waves crashing below.


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Map Key

2.2

Miles

3.6

KM

Doubletrack

68' 21 m

High

44' 13 m

Low

37' 11 m

Up

14' 4 m

Down

0%

Avg Grade (0°)

2%

Max Grade (1°)

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Allowed

Description

Old Cove Landing begins near the preserved dairy farm and large parking areas both inside and outside (along highway 1) Wilder Ranch State Park. A paved bike path also runs into Santa Cruz.

The trail is mostly doubletrack and not at all technical. The biggest challenge you might face is a stiff headwind along the coast.

From the farmstead to the coast, you pass farm fields. Then the highlight section is doubletrack just feet from the coast along cliffs 50-100 ft above the Pacific Ocean while waves crash below. There are a couple of foot trails down to secluded beaches in this section. The final portion of the trail heads back inland. If you take a left when you reach the railroad tracks, you can continue the coastal journey along the Ohlone Bluff Trail.

Contacts

Shared By:

Lost Justpastnowhere

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 6 votes

#21370

Overall
  3.5 from 6 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
50%
2 Star
17%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1,601

in California

#21,370

Overall
10 Views Last Month
1,780 Since Nov 5, 2018
Easy Easy

100%
0%
0%
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Photos

Scenic viewpoint everywhere!
Apr 15, 2013 near Santa Cruz, CA
Sunset on the deserted Fern Grotto Beach
Feb 1, 2022 near Santa Cruz, CA
Endless view of the ocean
Apr 15, 2013 near Santa Cruz, CA
The Cave at Fern Grotto.  (Sorry for the lighting and lack of scale.)  It's fairly big, and goes back a ways into the cliff beyond the logs to the left.  Bring a flashlight/torch.
Feb 1, 2022 near Santa Cruz, CA
Location for possible dolphin sighting
Apr 15, 2013 near Santa Cruz, CA
Wilder Ranch Coastal route.
Jun 10, 2018 near Santa Cruz, CA

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Aug 26, 2021
Sean Villagracia
2.2mi — 1h 00m
Jun 28, 2020
Orlando Gonzales
Jun 27, 2020
Heather B
Jun 30, 2018
Kaitlyn Taylor
Feb 23, 2013
Lost Justpastnowhere
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