Wilder Ridge and Zane Gray Cutoff Loop is a 6.2 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Santa Cruz, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round.
Great Place to escape bay area heat. Very pleasant with partial shade and a nice breeze.
Best hike yet! So beautiful! Ocean views as well as forest. Cool historical spot. Will definitely be back to explore more!!
If I could give it more stars I would. Staff was amazing and the views incredible!
Nice trail.. views of the ocean are pretty. A lot of burnt vegetation trying to grow back. It will be great during spring time.
Great weather, trails in good condition(not to wet), hardly anyone out there
The wilder ridge part of this loop is nice, although there were a lot of cyclists and nobody wearing face coverings. The Zane grey portion is overgrown with grass and poison oak as others have mentioned. The biggest issue is that this open space backs a quarry and a landfill. The noise of construction equipment will make 3 miles of this loop sound like downtown SF if you go on a weekday.
We really enjoyed it. Some steep hills but overall an easy hike. I liked the views of the hills and of the ocean. Got to walk through rocks, sand and trees. We extended the hike and went to the beach overlook as well.
Narrow And lots of poison oak on the lower part of the trail. Ticks coming out also.
Hiked: 4/26/2020 We loved this loop! We felt great after and it was a lovely workout but it wasn’t impossible. Wonderful views, intermittent shade. No one was on the trail on Sunday morning- just a few bikers! We did make a wrong turn here or there so make sure to watch your map.