Loch In!

Hiking at Loch Lomond in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Tucked in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Loch Lomond Recreation Area is known for its gorgeous reservoir, less known for its charming Clar Innis Island (reached only by kayak or canoe) and almost entirely overlooked for its fantastic 4-mile (round-trip) hike through majestic redwoods and up to a beautiful view. But you've only got a few more weekends to enjoy this gem before it closes for the season (October 14; see note in italics below).

Be one of the few to take advantage! Start on Loch Trail, across from the park store near the lake. Traverse lakeside from cove to cove, enjoying abundant views of Loch Lomond. Continuing past madrones and tan oaks, you’ll reach a junction for MacLaren Trail; be sure to keep left to continue on Loch Trail until you reach a sign marking Loch Sloy Service Road. From here, turn left onto Loch Sloy, where sticky monkey flower is still lingering along the path.

Continue onto Highland Service Road and begin a steep ascent. At the top of the trail you’ll find your payoff in a gorgeous vista—Loch Lomond, cradled by the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountains. Descend, and when you reach Loch Lomond Way go right on the paved road you took on your drive into the park, which will lead you back to the lake and the Loch Trail trailhead.

NOTE:

Loch Lomond is currently open only on weekends, through October 14. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Boat rentals stop at 4 p.m. and boaters must be off the lake by 5 p.m. Loch Lomond will re-open daily starting March 1 through Labor Day. Directions: From Hwy. 9 in Felton, take Graham Hill Rd. southeast. In half a mile, turn left on E. Zayante Rd. and take a slight left onto Lompico Rd. Turn left on West Dr. and take all the necessary turns to stay on West Dr. Take a slight right onto Sequoia Ave. and then left to stay on Sequoia and continue on Loch Lomond Way. Pay a vehicle entrance fee ($6) at the entrance’s kiosk (cash only) or at the park store (cash or card). For more information, including boat reservations, call (831) 335-7424.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Hiker in the forest at Mount Sutro in San Francisco

    San Francisco's Middle Earth

    No need to travel to New Zealand to visit Middle Earth. San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Open Space is practically Hobbiton—a hidden “shire” in the middle of the city. Okay, maybe not quite as magical, but still an incredible place to take a hike in city limits.

    View
  2. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Hike top Angel Island Mount Livermore San Francisco Bay

    Good Heavens

    The 4-mile hike to the top of Angel Island offers Bay-mazing scenery. Some people claim you get a five-bridge view: Richmond-San Rafael, Bay, Golden Gate, San Mateo-Hayward, and Dumbarton bridges.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  3. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  4. Woman hiking down the stairs to Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

    Secluded Royale

    Panoramic coastal views and a killer leg workout combine on this 2.7-mile (round-trip) out-and-back hike to secluded Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

    View