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Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 430 Google reviews · Running trail in La Honda, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve'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.
Varied landscape including 11 miles of trails, lake, meadows & ridge views in a 2,143-acre preserve.
What runners say about Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
“The trails are beautiful and well maintained, and every visit feels like a new adventure.”
“I continued on along the Ipiwa trail which takes you to a beautiful overview of the canyon with the Santa Cruz mountains as a back drop.”
“Never overcrowded, with lots of trails to choose from - everything from shaded forest walks to hikes along ridges overlooking the forested hills that roll down to the Pacific.”
💕Beautiful Open Space with plenty of trails and I went here hiking on a Saturday morning! Free to visit ✨ 🏔I would call it an easy trail because the elevation isn’t very evident. Its a slow slope. 🌱 Felt more like a walk in the nature ! 🌸 If you’re a wildflower lover, you’re in for a treat!
Lots of trail options with an informative nature center. Relatively large parking lot that is nearly empty even when I went on a weekend afternoon. About half the area is not shaded so wear sunscreen!
I spent the early afternoon hiking from the Nature Center out to and around the Horseshoe Lake Loop. I had spent the later part of the morning at the Russian Ridge preserve. The parking lot between them provided great access to both parks. There was plenty of free parking at 10:30 on a Sunday morning.
We went for our Saturday morning hike to Horseshoe loop trail. It was a bit far from Mountain View. Took almost 40 mins to reach which we don’t prefer for morning hikes. However, it was a beautiful drive covered with trees and lovely views of the valley. The horseshoe loop hike is a short hike just took 2 miles around.
Trail conditions & character
“Never overcrowded, with lots of trails to choose from - everything from shaded forest walks to hikes along ridges overlooking the forested hills that roll down to the Pacific.”
“Also, there is plenty of parking space so no worries (of course you should start a bit early) and honey buckets only as restrooms.”
“I spent the early afternoon hiking from the Nature Center out to and around the Horseshoe Lake Loop.”
“Never overcrowded, with lots of trails to choose from - everything from shaded forest walks to hikes along ridges overlooking the forested hills that roll down to the Pacific.”
“Never overcrowded, with lots of trails to choose from - everything from shaded forest walks to hikes along ridges overlooking the forested hills that roll down to the Pacific.”
“Also, there is plenty of parking space so no worries (of course you should start a bit early) and honey buckets only as restrooms.”
Plan your run at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- 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, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websiteopenspace.org
- Phone(650) 691-1200
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–5 PM |
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