Rancho San Vicente and Calero Park - Mountain Bike Trail

Rancho San Vicente and Calero Park are easy-grade trails for families and beginner bikers, as they have no technical sections.

The Rancho San Vicente and Calero Park are the best trails for beginner riders who want to get used to their bike. The trails have stunning views and picnic tables for resting, so you can bring your family and have a good time. They are a mix of wide singletrack and fire roads without technical challenges. The climbs on the bike route are very gentle, and most of the trails’ sections are fast flowing.

Before you go:

Drinking water

Restrooms

Fee required

Lift service

Fat bike grooming

Family Friendly

Night riding

E-bikes allowed

Dogs Allowed

Obstacles

Shuttles

Detailed Trail Description

The Rancho San Vicente made public in 2018, shares up to 9.5 miles of trails with Calero Park. The trails have fire track and singletrack sections in equal proportions. Anyone can ride the trails, including beginners with little experience. The beginning of the loop has a sign directing trail users to go counter-clockwise instead of the original clockwise direction.

The loop trails begin at the Lisa Killough trail with a trailhead at the parking area. From this point, the Rancho San Vicente trail climbs gently into the grass hills. You will see a few scattered homes in the distant wooded hills. On your left, you should see Claero County Park’s grass hills. You will pass three trail intersections with the North Ridge trail, Cottle Trail, and Vista el Oro trail.

Follow the Rancho San Vicente to the left after passing the Vista el Oro trail. It heads onto the remotest parts of the park. We didn’t see any signs of civilization from this point. To your left, you should see a high grassy ridge and a wooded creek valley to your right. The trail winds through sunlit wooded sections and flattens out shortly before it turns into a gradual climb.

Ride for 2.9 miles, then join the short spur leading to Lisa’s lookout, the trail’s highest point. You can rest on the picnic tables and take in the beautiful views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and hills.

The Rancho San Vicente begins to descend after its highest point past Lisa's cookout. It runs through grass, hills, and woods. You will come by a giant switchback before doing a U-turn and heading to the Cherry Canyon Creek Valley and Cottle trail.

The Cottle trail is deep into Calero County Park. You will pass the Calero reservoir and Cherry Canyon Creek past the Cottle trail intersection. Keep riding past the reservoir to the Lisa Killough trail intersection. Get on the trail and ride back to the starting point.

Additional Trail Features

Lisa’s lookout has picnic tables.

Sights of Interest, Landscapes, Views

The Rancho San Vicente and Calero Park trails have many exciting landscapes and views. The first stunning views you will encounter are the high-rising green ridges, a wooded creek valley, and Santa Cruz Mountains shortly after passing the Vista del Oro trail.

You will also love the beautiful views of Cherry canyon creek and Calero Reservoir.

Recommendations/Precautions

• Although some of the trail’s sections are well-shaded, some parts inside Calero can be super-hot. Carry plenty of water.
• Not all the trails in Calero County Par are bike legal. Get the correct information from the park map.
• Ride anticlockwise as the sign indicates at the beginning of the loop.