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Sports

County Parks Challenge You to Take a Hike

Are you ready to hit the trails? It's easy, with plenty to choose from in Santa Clara and Alameda counties.

Gyms can be boring. So what better time to exercise outdoors while the weather stays warm and dry? Both Santa Clara and Alameda county park systems offer a Heathy Trails challenge.

Changing up your routine every few months is a good idea–and this is a great way to do it. There are different types of trails depending on if you decide to walk, hike, bike or bring a companion in a wheelchair or stroller.

For Santa Clara County Parks, pick five out of 22 featured trails and write an evaluation on them.


Some trails are located in Gilroy’s Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch, and three from the popular Bear Ranch starting point are ranked as moderate-level trails:

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • The Martin Murphy Loop stretches for two miles, and provides sweeping views of the Diablo Foothills. Hikers will spot ground squirrels and the occasional golden eagle.
  • The Willow Springs/Rancho San Ysidro Trail is 5.3 miles, weaving through several hills and revealing views of the Coyote Ridge.
  • The Willow Springs/Town Springs Harvey Bear trail is 4.4 miles, passing through a beautiful small glen, and providing sweeping views of the southern part of the Santa Clara Valley.


To register for the second annual Santa Clara County Parks Healthy Trails, click here. You'll get a guidebook (updated this year) on where to go.

Anyone can register: children, wheelchair users, organized groups, companies, schools. There are also trails for dogs as well. Dates for Healthy ‘Tails: for dogs on a leash and Stroller Hikes can be found on the calendar online.

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Once you complete the challenge, a bonus gift will be on its way to you!

The Santa Clara County Parks' Healthy Trails Program is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente San Jose and Santa Clara County Public Health Department Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Division.

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