Hiking Trails & Parks in Santa Cruz, California
337 hiking & walking trails and 1parks, recreation areas & campgrounds in Santa Cruz, located in Santa Cruz County, California. Free trail map for every listing.
About Outdoor Recreation in Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz offers 337 mapped hiking trails and 1 federally managed parks within the city or nearby. Located in Santa Cruz County, California, it’s a starting point for hikers, campers, and casual nature seekers.
Explore more nearby: Santa Cruz County overview, all Santa Cruz County trails, or statewide California list.
Parks & Campgrounds in Santa Cruz
Hiking Trails in Santa Cruz
Curated Guides for Santa Cruz
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there hiking trails in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California?
Yes — we have 337 mapped hiking and walking trails in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California, sourced from OpenStreetMap. Browse the full list below, with distance, elevation, and difficulty for each.
What is the most difficult hiking trail in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California?
CLM Path near Santa Cruz is rated hard — the toughest classification among Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California's mapped trails.
What is the best hiking trail in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California for families?
44 Logs near Santa Cruz is one of the best family picks in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California — easy difficulty, short enough for kids and first-timers. See the full family hiking guide below for more options.
Is there a trail map for Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California?
Each of the 337 trails in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California has its own page with an interactive map, GPS coordinates, and a link to view it on OpenStreetMap — no app or account needed.
What parks and recreation areas are in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California?
Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California has 1 parks, recreation areas, and federal facilities in our index. Each listing includes activities, photos where available, and directions.
Can I go camping in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California?
We don't show any campgrounds with mapped campsites in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California right now — check the county level for more camping options nearby.
Where can I find hiking trails and parks near Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California?
Browse all hiking trails, walking trails, parks, and campgrounds across Santa Cruz County for more options beyond Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California.
From the OutsideAtlas Blog
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.