Lucky as a Horseshoe

Hike to Horseshoe Lake in Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve

Horseshoe Lake in Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve gets adventurers young and old up close to some of the Bay Area’s best winged wildlife along its namesake shoreline via a 3.5-mile (round-trip) hike that’s easy and tranquil.

From the main Skyline Ridge parking lot, follow the Ridge Trail until it intersects a dirt road, then bear left onto the Horseshoe Loop Trail. This route takes you up over Horseshoe Lake, rewarding you with a bird’s-eye view of the water below. A secluded picnic area a quarter mile along the trail is an idyllic spot for lunch.

The loop continues onto Tree Farm Trail and Fir Knoll Trail for a quick jaunt into the forest for a 1-mile (total) detour lined with fir and hemlock that release a festive holiday aroma as you crunch through the fallen needles. (For even more holiday cheer, the neighboring Christmas tree farm is visible through the forest.)

As you return to Horseshoe Lake, be on the lookout for local wildlife. Home to coots, ducks, quails, and heron, this is one of the best bird-watching sites in the area. To complete the loop, hikers can follow the Ridge Trail to return to the parking lot. For those craving a little more adventure, turn onto Sunny Jim Trail, and bear right onto Ipiwa Trail. This hilly route is a great physical challenge, and is home to California fuchsia, a crimson late-season wildflower. Enjoy a gorgeous panorama of the surrounding Los Gatos Mountains before returning to the parking lot.

The preserve’s entrance is located on Skyline Blvd., about 1 mile south of the intersection of Page Mill Rd. / Alpine Rd. and Skyline Blvd. (Hwy. 35). Dogs are not permitted in Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. Trails are open a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset. No dogs.

Story and photos by Poe Casavant

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View