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Heintz Open Space

4.6 ★★★★★ 229 Google reviews · Running trail in Los Gatos, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Heintz Open Space's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendlyHillyTrailhead parkingQuiet

A wooded park with hiking & biking trails, attracting a range of wildlife & birds.

What runners say about Heintz Open Space

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (229 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Trails were well maintained and with biker trails available as well.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 14 mentions

“If you turn left onto Valley View after the shelter on the right about 15 minutes up there is a great view of Silicon Valley.”

🌳 shaded & cool 4 mentions

“Convenient, partly shaded trail with beautiful views of the South Bay.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“The rolling hills and lush greenery add to the serene experience.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 3 mentions

“Recommended for families, kids, elderly, dogs are welcome, and sit around very friendly community.”

Wonderful open space for a short hike with kids. Super close to Blossom Hill Road and even connects to Belgatos Park. There are great views of the Bay Area and a small shelter/picnic spot. Fun to explore and watch animals!

★★★★★ — Alvin , May 2023

This was a great spot to bring my pups and get a sweat going! The network of trails vary in difficulty and pitch. Tucked away just outside of Los Gatos it’s easy to access. Very limited parking, however. Trails were well maintained and with biker trails available as well.

★★★★★ — Landon , Apr 2022

This Preserve offers moderately challenging paths. There is a mix of shady places and open vistas. The rolling hills and lush greenery add to the serene experience. On a March morning, we were greeted by crisp cold air. Paw-tested by our pup!

★★★★★ — Bartika , Mar 2025

Close to suburbia but has a surprising amount of wildlife. So far I've seen gophers, chipmunks, rabbits deer, gopher snakes, 3 kinds of lizard, quail and turkey. Even a deer killed by what I assume was a mountain lion. Park essentially consists of 2 walks, both involving shortish but sharp climbs.

★★★★★ — Dereck , Jun 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 229 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 24 mentions

“If you turn left onto Valley View after the shelter on the right about 15 minutes up there is a great view of Silicon Valley.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 14 mentions

“There is a steep incline at the start of the trails but well worth it for the exercise and views.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 6 mentions

“Recommended for families, kids, elderly, dogs are welcome, and sit around very friendly community.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 5 mentions

“Convenient, partly shaded trail with beautiful views of the South Bay.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“No parking lot, street parking only.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“The rolling hills and lush greenery add to the serene experience.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“While the trail up to the Skyline/Valley View junction is double track/fire road, the Skyline/ Valley view are wide singletrack.”

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Plan your run at Heintz Open Space

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitelosgatosca.gov
  • Phone(408) 399-5770
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 AM–7:30 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–7:30 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–7:30 PM
Thursday 7 AM–7:30 PM
Friday 7 AM–7:30 PM
Saturday 7 AM–7:30 PM
Sunday 7 AM–7:30 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Heintz Open Space

Valley View Trail, Los Gatos, CA 95032

Get directions

Running trails near Los Gatos

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Vista and Valley View Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 55 reviews

Los Gatos, CA

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

under a mile away

Belgatos Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 533 reviews

Los Gatos, CA

2 miLoopNatural surfaceShaded

This 17-acre park features hiking, biking & horseback riding trails, plus a playground & restrooms.

under a mile away

Kennedy Road Sierra Azul Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 26 reviews

Los Gatos, CA

under a mile away

Kennedy Trail

4.9 ★★★★★ 10 reviews

Los Gatos, CA

1.5 miles away

Los Gatos Creek Trail - Vasona Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 7 reviews

Los Gatos, CA

2.4 miles away

Guadalupe Oak Grove Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 464 reviews

San Jose, CA

ScenicDog-friendly

Hilly park with sparse trees, walking paths & open fields, offering a few picnicking locales.

2.8 miles away

All running trails in Los Gatos, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.