Serpentine Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Serpentine Trail starts as a doubletrack dirt trail and eventually becomes a singletrack dirt and rock trail at the end. While the first part of the trail is well maintained and free from obstructions, after it meets the Sylvan Trail, the trail becomes rougher as it climbs towards Live Oak Trail and Sunset Trail.

The Serpentine Trail is located .1 miles north of the Edgewood Trail and Sunset Trail junction on the west side of the preserve. The Serpentine Trail departs the Edgewood Trail to the right and climbs gently up into the grasslands. Wildflowers can be seen on both sides of the trail in the spring time. The trail continues to climb and passes a great shade tree on the left hand side of the trail. As the trail moves deeper into the preserve, the noise from the interstate begins to fade. At .3 miles, the Old Stage Road goes off to the left through the fields as views of the San Francisco Bay and the surrounding hills come into view. It's a great place to take a break and enjoy the views.

The Serpentine Trail goes off to the right and drops down the hillside. The dirt track intersects with the Franciscan Trail at roughly .5 miles as shrubs begin to crowd in on the trail. Hummingbirds can be seen resting on bushes and animals can be seen feeding in the fields in the evening. The trail enters the woods and continues until it emerges from the trees at the Sylvan Trail intersection. In the woods, there are a couple of obstructed views of the San Francisco Bay, but the views open up at the intersection. The Sylvan Trail goes off to the left at this point, while the Serpentine Trail snakes its way up the hillside to the right. The trail is rougher and rockier in this .2 mile section that climbs to the Live Oak Trail, which cuts back to the right. Continuing straight ahead, the trail levels off until it meets up with the Sunset Trail and ends.

From this point, you can return to the trailhead via the Sunset Trail or use the other trails that have intersected with the trail along the way to explore other areas of the preserve.

Deer, coyotes, rabbits, turkeys, hawks, hummingbirds and other varieties of birds can be seen along the trail.

Wildflowers can be seen along the trail in the fields, especially in the spring.