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Spring Trail Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 90 Google reviews · Running trail in Santa Cruz, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Spring Trail Trailhead'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.
Popular outdoor area dotted with redwood trees, featuring numerous walking paths and a koi pond.
What runners say about Spring Trail Trailhead
“Also down into Henry Cowell and across the river up to cathedral redwoods is always beautiful.”
“Quiet but several other friendly walkers encountered.”
Actually a great trail for distance may be a good 5 mile hike in open space, redwoods, and bay trees through each side of a valley and moderate walk. Found Pogonip by accident and stopped by Grandpa's house from the movie Lost Boys the house seems so much bigger in person.
Great trails for some nice distance runs. Up Yukon and to the water tanks gets you to empire grade then across is the long meadow trail in wilder. Also down into Henry Cowell and across the river up to cathedral redwoods is always beautiful.
Great walk to go on with friends or dogs. Lots of shade, which makes this trail a delight all year.
Beautiful trail, not too hard! Look up "hiking the gem of Santa Cruz" on Air BnB, great tour
Trail conditions & character
“Also down into Henry Cowell and across the river up to cathedral redwoods is always beautiful.”
“Spring Trail Trailhead is A trail that can be enjoyed with the wife and kids and still be safe from today's pandemic.”
“Went with a friend and our dogs around 5pm and we had the trail mostly to ourselves.”
“A person could walk a good few miles on this trail without and climb or decent to the limekilns.”
“Quiet but several other friendly walkers encountered.”
“Wide gentle diet path with some rocky patches easily avoided.”
Plan your run at Spring Trail Trailhead
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.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–7 PM |
Running trails near Santa Cruz
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Pogonip Open Space
4.5 ★★★★★ 462 reviews
Scenic open space offering a hiking & biking trail network amid redwood & oak forests & slopes.
Moore Creek Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 83 reviews
This 246-acre greenbelt offers hiking trails through grassy plains with views of the Monterey Bay.
U-Conn Trail Head
4.5 ★★★★★ 34 reviews
Neary Lagoon Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 494 reviews
Wildlife refuge with trails & floating walkways, bird-watching areas, tennis courts & a playground.
