Purisima Creek Loop

The Purisima Creek Loop is a 13.9-mile loop in the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. It is a superb area for hiking, trail running, and nature photography. The route begins off Skyline Boulevard in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains. If approaching from the west side of the range, this route can also be accessed from Purisima Creek Trailhead off of Purisima Creek Road. For our preferred trailhead, there is quite a bit of parking off Skyline Boulevard, but the area can become quite crowded, especially on sunny weekends. There are bathrooms available at both trailheads. Our route utilizes Purisima Creek Trail, Harkins Ridge Trail, and Whittemore Gulch Trail. Whichever way you decide to take the loop, it does include notable climbs and descents, which can be difficult and are not to be taken lightly! In the areas of higher elevation, beautiful views open up toward the ocean in the west and of the lush, rolling mountains to the north and south. In the lower elevations, the atmosphere is much more quiet, as the trail meanders through coast redwoods and maidenhair ferns. Banana slugs are a common companion on the trail. Be prepared for changing weather, as the temperatures can vary significantly throughout the day and in different areas of the route. The trail can also become quite muddy during and after rain, so bring appropriate footwear. For more information about Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, check out the website at https://www.openspace.org/preserves/purisima-creek-redwoods.