Los Gatos Cycling - Los Gatos Creek Trail

 

The Los Gatos Creek Trail is a fantastic resource for a ride, offering a mix of paved and unpaved sections that span approximately 11.9 miles one-way from San Jose to the Lexington Reservoir. Here is the current breakdown of the trail as of March 2026:

Trail Segments for Cycling

SegmentSurfaceHighlights
San Jose to CampbellPavedStarts at Meridian Ave. Good for a steady, flat cruise.
Campbell to VasonaPavedFrom Vasona Park to Campbell Park, passes through Los Gatos Creek County Park; very popular and can get crowded on weekends. This is the segment we rode. Around 7km one way. A few up and down hills. Not too bad.
Vasona to Downtown LGPavedScenic lakeside riding; look out for the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad near Oak Meadow.
Downtown LG to LexingtonUnpavedA gradual 500-foot climb on a wide gravel/dirt path (old rail bed). Best for gravel or mountain bikes.

Pro-Tips for Your Ride

  • The "Switchback" Warning: The underpass at San Tomas Expressway is notoriously narrow. If you're using clip-ins, be extra cautious through the tight fencing and switchbacks there.

  • Weekday vs. Weekend: The trail is a "speed trail" on weekday mornings but becomes a "cruising trail" on weekends due to heavy pedestrian and family traffic. It marks 15 MPH on most sections.

  • Parking: The Miles Avenue lot in Los Gatos or Campbell Park are usually reliable starting points, though Vasona is the most scenic (note the $6 entry fee for cars). You can park on the street as well.

Los Gatos Creek County Park


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