Santa Cruz County, California
1,239 hiking trails · 3parks & campgrounds · 19 cities. Real OpenStreetMap + Recreation.gov data.
About Hiking in Santa Cruz County, California
Santa Cruz County is home to 1,239 mapped hiking trails and 3 federal parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas spread across 19 cities. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors; park and campground info comes from Recreation.gov.
Looking for something specific? Search all trails in Santa Cruz County or browse parks. Want to narrow further? Pick a city below to see only that city’s outdoor options.
Trails & Parks in Santa Cruz County
Up to 203 pinpoints showing trail and park locations across the county.
Cities in Santa Cruz County
Click any city to see trails and parks within it.
Sample Parks in Santa Cruz County
Sample Trails in Santa Cruz County
Hiking guides for California
Statewide rankings and guides — useful context for Santa Cruz County.
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.