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Monte Bello-Stevens Creek Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 3.7 (64)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Bay Area
  4. …San Jose
  5. Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve
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“Spectacular views of Silicon Valley to the Pacific Ocean with a fun descent through a wooded canyon. ”

Bob Gardner
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Map Key

17.3

Miles

27.8

KM

10%

Singletrack

2,782' 848 m

High

554' 169 m

Low

2,390' 728 m

Up

2,387' 728 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Views

Posted 15 mph speed limits are strictly enforced and rangers are known to use radar guns.

Overview

Most of the climbing up Monte Bello "Beautiful Mountain" is on a narrow paved road, with light traffic, that transitions to a fire road for the last couple miles of the 7-mile climb to Black Mountain. After taking in the 360-degree ridge-top views, it's mostly downhill through Stevens Creek Canyon over narrow doubletrack devolving to singletrack before connecting to another paved road to complete the loop.

Need to Know

Its starts with a 5 mile trek up the hill on the road
There is no parking available on Montebello Road and only in designated areas on Stevens Canyon Road.I

The Ridge Vineyards is open weekends with picnic tables and wine tasting.

This ride crosses Stevens Creek on the Canyon Trail which should be avoided after heavy rains. A wet-weather option is an out-and-back ride to Black Mountain.

Description

The ride starts at the Lakeshore Picnic Area of Stevens Creek County Park near the junction with Montebello Road. Montebello Road is a narrow paved road that starts climbing immediately as it winds its way up the ridge through a shaded canyon. A couple miles up just past Monte Bello School, the climb eases a bit and views open up over Silicon Valley. Don't be surprised to hear what sounds like a mini-war going on. There's a shooting range near the rock quarry directly below. The road narrows to one lane eventually breaking out of the trees into chaparral and vineyards with more views out over the South Bay.

Just past the Ridge Vineyards is the trailhead for Waterwheel Creek Trail on the left. This old ranch road follows the contours of the ridge through old orchards and vineyards then reconnects with the dirt section of Monte Bello Road farther up. Use this as an alternate route when the trails are dry.

A mile past the Ridge Vineyards the paved road ends at a gate where you enter Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. The fire road starts as broken pavement up to a microwave installation turning into a smooth dirt road for the last couple miles to the top of 2,800-ft Black Mountain, another communication tower site. Enjoy the top-of-the-world views to the east over Santa Clara Valley to Mount Hamilton, south to Mt. Umunhum, and southwest down into Stevens Creek Canyon with Long Ridge and glimpses of the Pacific Ocean beyond.

Continue on Monte Bello Road a short distance turning left at the first junction on Indian Creek Trail which is a smooth fire road that drops steeply into Stevens Creek to connect with the Canyon Trail.

Another slightly longer ride option is to take the first right off of Indian Creek to Old Ranch Trail which runs parallel to Monte Bello Road then left on Bella Vista Trail down to the Canyon Trail.

Head down the Canyon Trail which starts as smooth doubletrack winding and rolling through the trees along Stevens Creek. The trail gets narrower and rougher as it progresses until the second trail junction with the Table Mountain Trail where it becomes singletrack for the last 1-1/2 miles. Just past this junction the trail crosses the creek then continues on the opposite bank to the junction with paved Stevens Canyon Road. Light traffic and mostly downhill, it's a fast ride back to the start.

History & Background

Riding down Stevens Creek on the Canyon Trail, you are directly atop the San Andreas Fault which caused the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 and the devastating Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989. The epicenter of the Loma Prieta Earthquake was just 20 miles away in the hills above Santa Cruz.

Contacts

Local Club: Silicon Valley Mountain Bikers

Jan 23, 2024: Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve – Multi-use Trail Alternative 3 Verbally Approved 

Land Manager: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space

Shared By:

Bob Gardner with improvements by James Reavis and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 64 votes

#1

in Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve

#331

Overall
  3.7 from 64 votes
5 Star
20%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
8%
1 Star
5%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Picchetti Ranch Open S…

#42

in California

#331

Overall
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27,559 Since Jan 20, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

Creek crossed... right before Table Mountain Trail climb.
Feb 16, 2021 near Loyola, CA
Steven's Creek.
Jun 27, 2021 near Loyola, CA
Bike packing continues along the Canyon Trail.
Apr 17, 2018 near Los Alt…, CA
Lower half of Stevens Creek Canyon Trail in mid-December 2019. Note moss on trees and heavy leaf cover on trail.
Dec 21, 2019 near Loyola, CA
Black Mountain in Monte Bello Open Space
Apr 15, 2013 near Los Alt…, CA
Black Mountain summit panorama.
Jan 25, 2016 near Los Alt…, CA

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Check-Ins

May 2, 2024
Steve Connolly
Brought my gravel bike on this which is completely appropriate. The gravel, both single and doubletrack, is superb. 31.4mi — 4h 20m
Apr 6, 2024
Ivan Gerardo
Jan 7, 2024
Mengji Zho
May 7, 2023
Olaf Zinke
Feb 6, 2022
Vince Espo
Jan 29, 2022
Yilong Wang
Oct 18, 2021
Akaash T
Sep 10, 2021
Diogo Draese

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