Hiking Trails & Parks in Santa Cruz, California
337 trails & 1 parks in Santa Cruz, located in Santa Cruz County, California.
About Outdoor Recreation in Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz offers 337 mapped hiking trails and 1 federally managed parks within the city or nearby. Located in Santa Cruz County, California, it’s a starting point for hikers, campers, and casual nature seekers.
Explore more nearby: Santa Cruz County overview, all Santa Cruz County trails, or statewide California list.
Parks & Campgrounds in Santa Cruz
Hiking Trails in Santa Cruz
From the OutsideAtlas Blog
Photo: Joshua EarleThe 10 Longest Hiking Trails in California, Ranked
California's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Sergei AkulichCalifornia's 10 Most Punishing Trails by Elevation Gain
Steep is hard. These are the ten California trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Maddi BazzoccoThe Best Beginner-Friendly Hikes in California
Ten gentle, well-marked California trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Holly MandarichThe 10 Most Challenging Hikes in California
California's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Diego LozanoThe Best National Parks & Recreation Areas in California
Federal parks and recreation areas in California ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Joshua EarleBest Waterfall Hikes in California: 10 Trails to See Falls Up Close
California's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.