31 min
Overview
The Serpentine Trailhead is located .1 miles north of the Edgewood Trail and Sunset Trail junction on the west side of the preserve. The Serpentine Trail departs the Edgewood Trail to the right and climbs gently up into the grasslands. Wildflowers can be seen on both sides of the trail in the spring time. The trail continues to climb and passes a great shade tree on the left hand side of the trail. As the trail moves deeper into the preserve, the noise from the interstate begins to fade. At .3 miles, the Old Stage Road goes off to the left through the fields as views of the San Francisco Bay and the surrounding hills come into view. It's a great place to take a break and enjoy the views.<br><br>The Serpentine Trail goes off to the right and drops down the hillside. The dirt track intersects with the Franciscan Trail at roughly .5 miles as shrubs begin to crowd in on the trail. Hummingbirds can be seen resting on bushes and animals can be seen feeding in the fields in the evening. The trail enters the woods and continues until it emerges from the trees at the Sylvan Trail intersection. In the woods, there are a couple of obstructed views of the San Francisco Bay, but the views open up at the intersection. The Sylvan Trail goes off to the left at this point, while the Serpentine Trail snakes its way up the hillside to the right. The trail is rougher and rockier in this .2 mile section that climbs to the Live Oak Trail, which cuts back to the right. Continuing straight ahead, the trail levels off until it meets up with the Sunset Trail and ends.<br><br>From this point, you can return to the trailhead via the Sunset Trail or use the other trails that have intersected with the trail along the way to explore other areas of the preserve.
Trail Stats
1.7 km
58 m
223 m
187 m
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Photos
Turkeys in Edgewood Park.
Turkeys in Edgewood Park.
The trail is a narrow dirt track, but nice for running.
The trail is a narrow dirt track, but nice for running.
Views of San Francisco Bay from the trail.
Views of San Francisco Bay from the trail.
Several varieties of wildflowers can be seen in the spring alongside the trail.
Several varieties of wildflowers can be seen in the spring alongside the trail.
The trail ends at an information kiosk with a map of the preserve and other important information. You can also tell that the trail has become rockier in this section.
The trail ends at an information kiosk with a map of the preserve and other important information. You can also tell that the trail has become rockier in this section.
The trail enters the woods and the shade of the trees.
The trail enters the woods and the shade of the trees.
The trail climbs from the Serpentine Trail
The trail climbs from the Serpentine Trail
The trail begins as a doubletrack trail before it narrows later on.
The trail begins as a doubletrack trail before it narrows later on.
The trail enters the woods and has nice shade through this section.
The trail enters the woods and has nice shade through this section.
The trail as it moves toward the woods is relatively open and exposed.
The trail as it moves toward the woods is relatively open and exposed.
The end of the Ridgeview Trail offers shade under the tree and a bench to enjoy views off to the east and the west. It's one of the best views in the preserve.
The end of the Ridgeview Trail offers shade under the tree and a bench to enjoy views off to the east and the west. It's one of the best views in the preserve.
The trail gets noticeably rougher in this section. Its hard on ankles as the trail moves uphill.
The trail gets noticeably rougher in this section. Its hard on ankles as the trail moves uphill.
The trail intersects with the Serpentine Trail at a large open area.
The trail intersects with the Serpentine Trail at a large open area.
Views of the Santa Cruz Mountains to the West.
Views of the Santa Cruz Mountains to the West.
Views of San Francisco Bay are off to the right hand side of the trail.
Views of San Francisco Bay are off to the right hand side of the trail.
The Serpentine Trail and Sylvan Trail as seen from the Live Oak Trail.
The Serpentine Trail and Sylvan Trail as seen from the Live Oak Trail.
The Franciscan Trail as it drops towards the Ridgeview Trail.
The Franciscan Trail as it drops towards the Ridgeview Trail.
The Serpentine Trail as it runs along the ridge. You can see the wildflowers blooming in the evening. Deer feed in the fields in the evening.
The Serpentine Trail as it runs along the ridge. You can see the wildflowers blooming in the evening. Deer feed in the fields in the evening.
A hummingbird rests in the evening alongside the trail.
A hummingbird rests in the evening alongside the trail.
The trail as it descends through the woods.
The trail as it descends through the woods.
The trail breaks to the right and climbs the hillside.
The trail breaks to the right and climbs the hillside.
The trail emerges from the woods and into fields that offer great views of the San Francisco Bay area.
The trail emerges from the woods and into fields that offer great views of the San Francisco Bay area.
The trail hugs the hillside as it works its way through the preserve. Deer, turkeys, and other animals can be seen feeding in the fields in the evening.
The trail hugs the hillside as it works its way through the preserve. Deer, turkeys, and other animals can be seen feeding in the fields in the evening.
Views of the Serpentine Trail and Sylvan Trail work their way through the preserve as the San Francisco Bay sits in the background.
Views of the Serpentine Trail and Sylvan Trail work their way through the preserve as the San Francisco Bay sits in the background.
The Old Stage Road goes off to the left through the fields.
The Old Stage Road goes off to the left through the fields.
The Serpentine Trail begins to make its way from the Edgewood Trail.
The Serpentine Trail begins to make its way from the Edgewood Trail.
Views of the San Francisco Bay off to the east. Some of the view is obscured, but its still fantastic.
Views of the San Francisco Bay off to the east. Some of the view is obscured, but its still fantastic.
The trail wanders through the woods.
The trail wanders through the woods.
The Serpentine and Old Stage Road Trails can be seen off to the left.
The Serpentine and Old Stage Road Trails can be seen off to the left.
The trail levels out as it approaches the Sunset Trail. Animals feed alongside the trail in the evening.
The trail levels out as it approaches the Sunset Trail. Animals feed alongside the trail in the evening.
The sunset trail as it winds its way through the fields in the preserve. Wildflowers bloom in the fields in the spring, and animals feed in the fields in the evenings.
The sunset trail as it winds its way through the fields in the preserve. Wildflowers bloom in the fields in the spring, and animals feed in the fields in the evenings.