Needle Rock – Wilder Ranch Bike Path loop from Swift Halt

Needle Rock – Wilder Ranch Bike Path loop from Swift Halt

Easy

4.6

(4503)

16,840

riders

Needle Rock – Wilder Ranch Bike Path loop from Swift Halt

01:11

17.1km

100m

Gravel riding

Easy gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 16, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 13.5 km for 249 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

1.35 km

Wilder Ranch Bike Path

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

Great paved dedicated bike trail several yards away from busy Highway 1, from Santa Cruz to Wilder Ranch State Park.

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2.85 km

Wilder Ranch State Park Entrance

Highlight • Rest Area

A narrow single track turns coastside off the main biketrail away from the highway the becomes wider along a now disused former dirtroad to the ranch houses.

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5.22 km

Needle Rock

Highlight • Natural Monument

This cool rock spire eroded out of the coastal bluffs by the Pacific Ocean waves is best visible along the Ohlone Bluffs Trail in Wilder Ranch State Park. parks.ca.gov/?page_id=549
The …

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6.16 km

Strawberry Beach

Beach

6.87 km

Ohlone Bluff Trail 🌊 Wilder Ranch SP

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Sweet hard-packed dirt trail meandering atop coastal cliffs with terrific beach and Pacific Ocean views. Some of the State Park land is still leased to farmers, so depending on the …

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12.8 km

Railroad gravel road and Old Cove Landing Trail

Highlight • Trail

An alternative to the busy Hwy 1 is to stay along the abandoned railway line. It is fairly decent smooth at the beginning, but then gets a bit courser gravel …

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13.5 km

Wilder Dairy Cultural Preserve

Highlight • Historical Site

Well-preserved operating historic dairy farm with ranger-led demonstrations in Wilder Ranch State Park on the pacific coast south of Santa Cruz. parks.ca.gov/?page_id=549

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13.7 km

Wilder Ranch State Park

Highlight • Historical Site

Wilder Ranch State Park was formerly a dairy ranch with restored ranch buildings that now serve as a museum. It also offers an extensive trail network for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

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13.8 km

Wilder Ranch Bike Path

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

The Wilder Ranch Bike Path is an entirely paved trail away from the nearby busy highway. The path helps connect Wilder Ranch State Park to Santa Cruz and is open to runners and walkers, too.

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