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A great tour of Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve.


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Map Key

4.6

Miles

7.4

KM

80%

Runnable

2,007' 612 m

High

1,035' 316 m

Low

1,052' 321 m

Up

1,052' 321 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views

Overview

This run highlights the beautiful landscape, rolling grassy hills, live oak forests, and stunning vistas of Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve.

Need to Know

No parking along Sierra Road. Cattle graze on the property so be sure to close the gate after entering the trail.

Runner Notes

A great loop run if you can hit it off of peak hours. These trails can be crowded at times.

Description

Start your run at the trailhead parking lot located off of Sierra Road. Head out on the short, quarter-mile-long Kestrel Trail which will descend gradually to a junction with the Sierra Vista Trail. Take a right and continue on the Sierra Vista Trail.

The Sierra Vista Trail is a great trail traversing the hillside and connecting to the Boccardo Loop Trail. The trail is a gradual downhill and it winds through the hills, giving you glimpses of Penitencia and Arroyo Aguague canyons and downtown San Jose.

Once you come to the junction with the Boccardo Loop Trail, take another right. If you have time, add on the short Boccardo Loop Spur which heads up to a nice viewpoint overlooking the area.

Once back on the Boccardo Loop Trail, you are faced wth a steady mile-long downhill. The trail passed through grassy hillsides and oak woodlands with views of Santa Clara Valley and Mt Hamilton. On a clear day, you can even see all the way to San Francisco.

After about a mile and a half of descending, the trail starts to climb, and you'll regain the elevation that you lost on the first half of the loop as you climb back to your start point with the junction with the Sierra Vista Trail. This portion of the run doesn't have much shade, so be sure to bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen especially on a clear summer day.

From here, simply retrace your steps back on the Sierra Vista Trail and Kestrel Trail to return to your car. As an added bonus, try to time your run around sunset, as the views are enhanced by the setting sun.

Flora & Fauna

Live oak, sycamore, and grassland. Birds like red-tail hawks and woodpeckers.

Contacts

Land Manager: Santa Clara County Parks

Shared By:

Kristen Arendt with improvements by Chelsie Spacke

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 9 votes

#3077

Overall
  4.1 from 9 votes
5 Star
22%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
11%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#423

in California

#3,077

Overall
24 Views Last Month
5,031 Since Oct 18, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Sun on the hills.
Oct 18, 2016 near East Fo…, CA
Peak of Baccardo Loop Trail with view on SF Bay and valley.
Oct 18, 2016 near East Fo…, CA
Santa Clara Valley from Boccardo Loop Trail.
Oct 18, 2016 near East Fo…, CA
Taking a breather on the bench in Sierra Vista OSP Parking Lot.
Oct 18, 2016 near East Fo…, CA
SF Bay View from top.
Oct 18, 2016 near East Fo…, CA
what a view, what a hike
Mar 18, 2018 near East Fo…, CA

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