In brief:
5.2 mile loop features grassland, woods, and quiet trails.

Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 5.2 mile loop hike is moderate, with about 1340 feet in elevation change. Trailhead elevation is around 500 feet. The featured hike climbs to about 1700 feet, contours through a forest, then descends back to the trailhead. Some stretches on the ascending and descending trails are moderately steep.

Exposure:
Mostly sunny.

Trail traffic:
Light-moderate.

Trail surfaces:
Dirt fire roads and trails

Hiking time:
2 hours.

Season:
Nice any time, but probably best in spring.

Getting there:

From US 101 in Santa Clara County, exit CA 152 West. Drive through Gilroy, following 152 West, which jogs south on Monterey Street, then turns west. After about 7 miles (distance from 101), turn right into the park at the Sprig Lake sign.

GPS coordinates* for trailhead:
Latitude 37° 0'18.26"N
Longitude 121°40'54.16"W
(* based on Google Earth data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)

Gas, food, and lodging:
Gas, stores, restaurants, and pay phones back in Gilroy (there's also a pay phone at the visitor center area of the park, further uphill along Pole Line Road). In-and-Out lovers: there's one just on the east side of US 101, on Leavesley Road (conveniently located near the northbound highway entrance ramp). Mount Madonna has several campgrounds with group, tent, and RV camping.

Trailhead details:
Once in the park, bear left to the day use parking area. No parking or entrance fees ($6 day use fee if using main park trailhead). No drinking water, pay phone, or designated handicapped parking. Trails are poorly suited to wheelchairs. There is a portable toilet. Maps at the start of the hike. There is no direct public transportation to this park.

Rules:
Park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Most trails are open to hikers and equestrians only. A few are signed hiking only. No bikes are permitted on the trails. Dogs are allowed in all areas of the park on a 6 foot or less leash.

The Official Story:
SCCP's Mount Madonna page
Park office (408)842​-2341

Map Choices/More Info:

• Map from SCCP (download the pdf)

Mount Madonna County Park in a nutshell -- a printable, text-only guide to the featured hike.





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