Cycling - Saratoga Creek bike lane

 

The Saratoga Creek bike lane and trail system is currently a mix of high-quality paved paths and on-street routes. Although it did not connect all the way to Cupertino, it is not that far. Just get to the Creekside Park than all the way east to Sterling Barnhart Park.

The trail starts from the north where I mark X on the map above (SAR Mile 0). The entrance is right next to the Sterling Barnhart Park. Going south, once you cross Bollinger Rd, you see the SAR Mile 0.5 sign (below). The trail is scenic and follows the creek. It is primarily used by locals for quick exercise or getting to Murdock Park. The complete loop is 12.5km. You can do a bit of grocery shopping on the way back.

Look like there is a planned northbound trail not ready to open yet (below).

Current Conditions & Safety

• Surface: Mostly asphalt and well-maintained. Some smaller neighborhood sections near the southern end (closer to Saratoga/Cupertino) still have gravel patches, so be mindful if you’re on thin road tires.

• Safety: The off-street sections are very safe and "green" rated for difficulty. However, the connections between the Santa Clara and San Jose segments often require using on-street bike lanes (like those along San Tomas Expressway or Lawrence Expressway). These are buffered in many areas but still run alongside high-speed traffic.