Portola Redwoods State Park Loop

Take in the best of Portola Redwoods State Park: towering redwoods, a waterfall, wildflowers, and a mix of narrow singletrack and wide old logging roads. This loop comes in around 8 miles, with a shorter 5-mile option if you’re looking for something more mellow.

Redwood hikes are always a treat — quiet, shady, and cool even in summer. If you want a real taste of the Santa Cruz Mountains without leaving the Peninsula, this one’s hard to beat.

From park headquarters, start on the Sequoia Nature Trail and cross Pescadero Creek on the wooden bridge. Continue to the Iverson Trail and turn left. The trail climbs gently above the creek before reaching the signed spur to Tiptoe Falls — a short out-and-back detour to a small but charming cascade. After visiting the falls, return to Iverson and this time turn left (west), descending toward Pescadero Creek. In spring, this stretch is full of wildflowers. Cross the creek and pick up the Pomponio Trail, which follows the water upstream.

After about a mile, watch for the signed junction with Baker Fire Road (sometimes called Bridge Trail). Cross Pescadero Creek here on a sturdy bridge and climb briefly to reach Old Haul Road, a broad old logging road shaded by redwoods. Turn left and follow Old Haul southeast. The grade is gentle but steady as you make your way back toward the park’s core.

For the shorter 5-mile option, keep following Old Haul and take one of the connectors back toward HQ.

For the full 8-mile loop, continue farther on Old Haul and watch for the junction with Slate Creek Trail. This singletrack climbs back toward the park headquarters. Near the top, you’ll have the option to add extra mileage: turn right on Summit Trail for a 2.5-mile out-and-back ridge climb. It’s not a classic Bay Area summit with sweeping Pacific views, but it does give you a sense of being high among the redwoods.

Back on Slate Creek, continue downhill toward HQ. Just before finishing, you can add one more short detour on the Old Tree Trail (0.6 miles round-trip) to visit a massive old-growth redwood. From there, it’s just a few minutes back to the ranger station.

If you want to camp, the park’s campground is open seasonally (April 1 – Oct 31).

If you want to stay overnight, the campgrounds open April 1st.

Need a post-hike beer? Head to Apple Jacks to quench your thirst. The food situation isn't ideal here, so if you need something more substantive, a bit longer drive will get you to Alpine Inn aka "Zots" for a rustic outdoor beer garden and a burger.

Note: Dogs are allowed in the campground on-leash, but not on the trails.