hard
Activities
Bald Hills Loop Information
Just a few miles from downtown San Jose, this hike feels remote and offers some of the best views in the South Bay.
Watch for:
California slender salamander and California newt, as well as the western skink and western fence lizard.
Hiking Details for Bald Hills Loop
Distance: 8.34 miles
Elevation change: 1,860′
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Trail surface: Packed dirt, exposed
Best Season: Spring and Fall
Managing agency: Santa Clara County Parks
Parking lot location: Click here for directions
Overview: Calero County Park is a diverse recreational area in Santa Clara County, tucked in the Santa Cruz Mountains just a few miles from bustling downtown San Jose.
During the spring months, you can see a spectacular display of wildflowers along this hike. In addition, the park and its trails offer stunning views of southern Santa Clara County and the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountains.
For a challenging hike, follow the Peña Trail to the Serpentine Loop Trail. Left on Cottle Trail. Left on Chisnantuk Peak Trail and Bald Peaks Trail. Left on Cañada del Oro Trail and right on Vallecito Trail back to the Peña Trail and parking lot.
Bald Hills Loop Photo Gallery
More About Calero County Park
In 2009, POST purchased the 966-acre Rancho San Vicente from private developers, who had originally intended to build a luxury housing development. The ranch property is an important piece in completing a 15-mile greenbelt from Los Gatos to near Highway 101 in Morgan Hill. POST has since transferred the property to the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department who incorporated it into Calero County Park in 2018.