Park · The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, California

Best hikes in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

The 30 best of 33 trails in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, California, ranked by route quality.

Trails
33
Easy
18
Moderate
5
Hard
7
Expert
3

By activity

Common features

Top trails

  1. Aptos Creek Fire Road Expert · 13.4 mi (21.6 km) · Elevation Gain 2,680 ft (817 m) · 5 hr 40 min
  2. Aptos Rancho Trail Easy · 3.4 mi (5.5 km) · Elevation Gain 312 ft (95 m) · 1 hr 15 min
  3. West Ridge Trail Expert · 10.8 mi (17.4 km) · Elevation Gain 1,969 ft (600 m) · 4 hr 30 min
  4. Terrace Trail Easy · 1.3 mi (2.1 km) · Elevation Gain 89 ft (27 m) · 30 min
  5. Bridge Creek Trail Moderate · 3.8 mi (6.1 km) · Elevation Gain 459 ft (140 m) · 1 hr 30 min
  6. Aptos Creek Trail Hard · 7.3 mi (11.8 km) · Elevation Gain 1,243 ft (379 m) · 3 hr
  7. Hinckley Basin Fire Road Hard · 6.1 mi (9.8 km) · Elevation Gain 1,352 ft (412 m) · 2 hr 40 min
  8. Porter Trail Easy · 1.7 mi (2.8 km) · Elevation Gain 322 ft (98 m) · 45 min
  9. Loma Prieta Grade Hard · 6.4 mi (10.3 km) · Elevation Gain 850 ft (259 m) · 2 hr 30 min
  10. Cusack's Trail Easy · 2.2 mi (3.5 km) · Elevation Gain 312 ft (95 m) · 50 min
  11. Ridge Connection Trail Easy · 1.6 mi (2.6 km) · Elevation Gain 443 ft (135 m) · 45 min
  12. Big Slide Trail Moderate · 2.4 mi (3.9 km) · Elevation Gain 597 ft (182 m) · 1 hr 5 min
  13. Vienna Woods Trail Easy · 1.8 mi (2.9 km) · Elevation Gain 272 ft (83 m) · 45 min
  14. Cusacks Trail Trail Easy · 2 mi (3.3 km) · Elevation Gain 538 ft (164 m) · 55 min
  15. Old Growth Loop Trail Easy · 0.6 mi (1 km) · Elevation Gain 151 ft (46 m) · 15 min
  16. Split Stuff Trail Easy · 0.5 mi (0.7 km) · Elevation Gain 30 ft (9 m) · 10 min
  17. Big Stump Gap Trail Easy · 1.9 mi (3.1 km) · Elevation Gain 463 ft (141 m) · 50 min
  18. Buggy Trail Easy · 0.9 mi (1.4 km) · Elevation Gain 108 ft (33 m) · 20 min
  19. Waggoner Overlook Trail Easy · 0.3 mi (0.4 km) · 5 min
  20. Terrace Trail Connection Easy · 0.4 mi (0.6 km) · Elevation Gain 30 ft (9 m) · 10 min
  21. Ridge Hard · 11.2 mi (18 km) · Elevation Gain 1,847 ft (563 m) · 2 hr 40 min
  22. White's Lagoon Trail Easy · 0.6 mi (1 km) · Elevation Gain 118 ft (36 m) · 15 min
  23. Big Stump Gap Trail Easy · 0.8 mi (1.2 km) · Elevation Gain 79 ft (24 m) · 15 min
  24. Mill Pond Trail Easy · 0.1 mi (0.2 km) · Elevation Gain 39 ft (12 m) · 5 min
  25. 6 mile trail loop Hard · 10 mi (16 km) · Elevation Gain 1,509 ft (460 m) · 4 hr
  26. Aptos Creek Hard · 11.2 mi (18 km) · Elevation Gain 2,552 ft (778 m) · 3 hr 5 min
  27. Oak Ridge Trail Easy · 0.8 mi (1.4 km) · Elevation Gain 194 ft (59 m) · 20 min
  28. Hinckley Moderate · 6.2 mi (9.9 km) · Elevation Gain 1,385 ft (422 m) · 1 hr 40 min
  29. Grover Gulch-LMB Connector Moderate · 2.5 mi (4.1 km) · Elevation Gain 643 ft (196 m) · 1 hr 10 min
  30. Buzzard Lagoon Road Hard · 8.9 mi (14.3 km) · Elevation Gain 1,516 ft (462 m) · 3 hr 40 min

See all trails near The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

Questions about The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

How many trails are in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park?

GoTrails lists 33 trails in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, California: 18 easy, 5 moderate and 10 hard or expert.

What are the best hikes in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park?

Top picks on GoTrails: Aptos Creek Fire Road, Aptos Rancho Trail, West Ridge Trail, Terrace Trail, and Bridge Creek Trail.

What are some easy hikes in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park?

Easy picks: Aptos Rancho Trail, Terrace Trail, Porter Trail, Cusack's Trail, and Ridge Connection Trail.

What are the hardest hikes in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park?

For a challenge: Aptos Creek Fire Road, West Ridge Trail, Aptos Creek Trail, Hinckley Basin Fire Road, and Loma Prieta Grade.

Parks nearby

GoTrails · Route data: © OpenStreetMap