A long route through a park popular among mountain bikers.

Location: Soquel Demonstration State Forest

» Official Map: Good map showing various trails and contours. Trail segment lengths are missing.

» Trail Map by MountainBikeBill: Good map showing various trails including contours and trail lengths.

» PeasePress Map: Trails of Santa Cruz: Excellent quality map showing various parks in the Santa Cruz area.

» Official Brochure: Official Trail Map with details of both Forest of Nisene Marks and Soquel Demonstration Forest. The area close to Entrance Station in Forest of Nisene Marks is shown enlarged. Trail lengths are missing in this map.

Route in Brief: From the parking lot, follow Hihn's Mill Road (2.5 miles) to junction with Sulphur Springs. Continue along Hihn's Mill Road (0.6 miles) to junction with Braille Trail. Continue along Hihn's Mill Trail (0.6 miles) to junction with Tractor Trail. Continue along Hihn's Mill Road (0.7 miles) to junction with Sawpit Trail. Turn left on Sawpit Trail (1.2 miles) → left on Ridge Trail (0.9 miles) to junction with Tractor Trail. Continue along Ridge Trail (0.5 miles) to junction with Braille Trail. Continue along Ridge Trail (0.4 miles) to junction with Sulphur Springs Trail. Turn left on Sulphur Springs (1.1 miles) to junction with Corral Trail. Continue on Sulphur Springs Trail (0.4 miles) → right on Hihn's Mill Road (2.5 miles) to return to the parking lot.

Notes: Soquel Demonstration Forest is very popular with bikers. So expect groups of bikers whizzing pas you on any day, especially weekends.

Location: on Highlands Way, about 10 miles from Hwy 17 and Summit Road exit . No street address. Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Directions: From Hwy 17 South, take Summit Road exit, turn right on Summit Road. After 4.1 miles, continue along Highlands Way. In 5.4 miles, there is roadside parking for a few cars next to a small sign saying "Soquel Demonstration Forest". A larger parking lot is present inside the forest.

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: None (last visited: October 2011)

Capacity: A few cars may be parked by the roadside. A larger parking lot inside the forest.

Latitude: 37.082109     Longitude: -121.850781