Sanborn Trail is a 6.1 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Saratoga, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Excellent hike through the redwoods just west of Saratoga and south of San Jose, California. Sanborn Skyline County Park gets pretty busy on many weekends with family reunions, wedding receptions and other assorted gatherings -- if you end up at one and find yourself craving a hike instead of all that company, this is the loop to take. It starts on the San Andreas Trail and takes a vigorous march up the hillside west of the park. The trail can be steep in places, but you'll be covered in a canopy of redwoods that'll shade you from the sun and help you forget why you need to be away from civilization for a few hours. The trail turns south after about three miles at the intersection with Sanborn Trail -- from here it's a couple miles back, all downhill. Sanborn Trail passes through the park's excellent walk-in campgrounds -- scout out some sites if you've got rambunctious kids who won't mind lugging all your camping gear up from the parking lot. The walk-in part discourages a lot of potential campers, leaving a fair number of open campsites for those who don't mind hauling their tents, food and such uphill. Those with the legs for it can enjoy some of the nicest campsites in the Bay Area. Once you get through the campgrounds, a park trail returns to the parking lot. Best time to go: Redwoods make for great all-year hiking. Going on weekdays can avoid the crowds.
Park near the Dyer House Visitor Center. Fees: $6 to park. Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset year-round.
Sanborn Skyline County Park website http://bit.ly/kbztuD
While this trail is rated moderate, it has a healthy climb. Be sure you've got plenty of water and a snack or two to keep your energy level up.
Sanborn Skyline County Park is west of Saratoga and south of San Jose. From Saratoga, go 2 miles west on Highway 9 to Sanborn Road. Turn left onto Sanborn Road and go a one mile to the park entrance.
Trails are narrow in some section. Very peaceful and beautiful hike
Did the clockwise route... that first 2 miles is pretty steep, not what I would call a moderate hike for me but was beautiful and well shaded. Parts of the trail are pretty narrow and with the recent rains a little slippery. Care should be taken.
Has quite a few steep sections. Nicely shaded. Plenty of parking. Would highly recommend!
If you compare the redwoods with other hikes in the Bay Area then it is 2-3. The hike is hard and the views are not that good. It’s a good workout hike.
Underwhelming. Not many views. If you want to see redwoods go to Oakland hills or Muir Woods.
This trail is considered a harder trail due to its extended uphill climb for the first half. The downhill through Petersen Trail is quite steep as well. We enjoyed being in the beautiful redwoods. It keeps the temperature cooler and pleasant. Overall it is a great trail and deserves a 5 star!
Uphill the first 2 miles going clockwise. But beautiful redwoods and trails.
Moderate? Moderate my yk what! When reading the reviews on this trail they said it was going to be moderate and let me tell you something it was all up hill there was no down there was no flats. Was it a good trail yes yes it was did it kick our ass yes yes it did we have it five stars because it earned those stars. Would definitely recommend this trail but it is NOT MODERATE!!
Fantastic trail through the redwoods. The loop (did clockwise) took about 2 hours including the short fork to skyline (you can cut it short by looping around earlier). Recommend starting early on weekends to avoid the crowds. Almost everyone was masked up which is good since the trail is narrow in parts.