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Hikes in Rancho San Antonio County Park
Gateways To Joy
Gateways To Joy
Bay Area Hikes
Bay Area Hikes
Hikes in Rancho San Antonio County Park
1 Jan 2012
Rancho San Antonio is a very popular park in south bay. There are multiple parking lots that accommodate a few hundred cars. By 8am on a summer weekend, it is difficult to find parking. Trails go through a variety of eco systems: valleys, creeks and ridges with valley views. A popular trail for runners is the PG&E Trail, which has sufficient elevation gain for a good cardio workout. Other trails near the main parking lot have gentle slope. There is also a farm inside the park: Happy Hollow Farm, which has farm animals for public viewing.
PG&E Trail

PG&E Trail is a popular trail among runners. It has uneven slops and meanders along electricity towers for about four miles. The trail ends in a 'Vista Point' (see trail map). From the Vista Point, there are many ways to return to the trailhead, resulting in different hiking routes.

8.7 miles
1900 ft
 PG&E Trail - Loop I
Good hike for cardiovascular workout along rolling hills.

8.2 miles
1700 ft
 PG&E Trail - Loop II
Pleasant hike in Rancho San Antonio along PG&E Trail.

9.3 miles
1800 ft
 PG&E Trail - Loop III
Pleasant hike in Rancho San Antonio along PG&E Trail.

12.5 miles
2100 ft
 PG&E, Black Mountain, Chamise and Rogue Valley Trails
A long loop in Rancho San Antonio.

Black Mountain

Black Mountain is a popular destination among south bay hikers. The last mile has particularly steep incline, making it one of the steepest trails in the bay area. Views from atop Black Mountain are pretty cool: silicon valley is seen in the north and Santa Cruz mountains are seen in the south. There are many different routes to Black Mountain, from parks like Rancho San Antonio, Hidden Villa, Monte Bello, Skyline Ridge and Upper Stevens Creek. Listed below are routes starting in Rancho San Antonio.

9.5 miles
2400 ft
 Black Mountain from Rhus Ridge
The shortest and most popular route to Black Mountain from Rancho San Antonio is from Rhus Ridge trailhead in the north. There is parking for only about five cars, so arriving early would be helpful. If the parking lot is full, parking is possible in residential areas about half a mile away from the trailhead.

11.1 miles
2800 ft
 Black Mountain from Hidden Villa
A beautiful hike starting in Hidden Villa. The first three miles are in Hidden Villa. The last three are along Black Mountain Trail in Rancho San Antonio. A particularly scenic spot is early in the route. It lies at the confluence of three creeks in Hidden Villa.

12.2 miles
2800 ft
 Black Mountain from Rancho San Antonio - Route I
The shortest route from the main parking lots for Rancho San Antonio is along PG&E Trail.

14.2 miles
2700 ft
 Black Mountain from Rancho San Antonio - Route II
A challenging hike to Black Mountain from Rancho San Antonio.

17.4 miles
2500 ft
 Black Mountain from Rancho San Antonio - Route III
A challenging hike to Black Mountain from Rancho San Antonio.

Hidden Villa

Hidden Villa lies to the west of Rancho San Antonio. The two parks are connected by trails. From Rhus Ridge trailhead, it is possible to form loops in Hidden Villa.

8.3 miles
2000 ft
 Long Loop in Hidden Villa from Rhus Ridge
An interesting loop going through varied terrain including ridges, valleys and creeks. Results in a fair amount of cardio workout as well.

Other Loops

There are many trails near the main parking lots. So one can be creative and form many different routes. Some examples below.

4.6 miles
600 ft
 Wildcat Loop
Nice short hike, mostly shaded, in Rancho San Antonio

4.9 miles
750 ft
 Coyote - Wildcat - High Meadow
A pleasant walk through varied terrain, including a vista point with expansive views of Silicon Valley.

5.8 miles
800 ft
 Upper Wildcat Loop
Nice short hike, mostly shaded, in Rancho San Antonio

8.7 miles
900 ft
 Duveneck Windmill Pasture Area from Rancho San Antonio
A gently sloped hike along sunny trails in Rancho San Antonio.

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