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U-Conn Trail Head

4.5 ★★★★★ 34 Google reviews · Running trail in Santa Cruz, California · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from U-Conn Trail Head'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.

Open 24h

What runners say about U-Conn Trail Head

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (34 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

A great trail head to an amazing biking trail. It lets out near UCSC Crown College. Parking in lot 111 is allowed on weekends. Be careful of the other lots.

★★★★★ — Wil , Mar 2019

This is the start of the climb back up to UCSC. It’s mostly a mountain bike trail but trail runners and hikers use it too. Good luck not enjoying the climb, it’s fast, painful and gets you back into the mix for another run.

★★★★★ — Tradewindshd , Aug 2018

Really nice spot for mountain biking. Do not rely on trail fork to juge this place. The best trail are not maped.

★★★★☆ — Francis , Feb 2022

Love hate relationship with this section of trail. I love to see how fast I can get through this section and how I stack up on Stava. Hate the steepness of the trail (unless blasting downhill).

★★★★★ — Manny , Aug 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 34 reviews →

Plan your run at U-Conn Trail Head

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • 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.
  • Phone(831) 420-5270

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 U-Conn Trail Head

Rincon Trail, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Get directions

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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.