Hidden Villa from Foothill College (6.6 mi, ~1000 feet elevation gain)

This route is a great alternative to the typical loop through Rancho San Antonio Park. This loop links together the Los Altos Hills Trails, Rancho San Antonio, and Hidden Villa for a 6.6-mile adventure that offers a big climb, a swooping downhill, and a long gradual downhill back to your car.

The route starts at Foothill College in Parking Lot 7. Note that there is a small parking fee ($2/car as of summer 2016). You then follow Moody Road to Rhus Ridge Road and Trail. The Rhus Ridge Trail is one of the steepest in Rancho San Antonio, climbing over 700' in just 0.9 miles! After this butt-kicking climb, you follow the much more gentle Black Mountain Trail to Ewing Hill Trail and Stream Trail for a swooping 1.5-mile descent through Hidden Villa. The trail continues through the gardens and back out to Moody Road. A dirt path next to Moody Road takes you back to your car at Foothill College.

Please note that Hidden Villa is not always open to public access. Refer to their website for more details.
The Dirt:
  • Click here to download a printable trail map.
  • Click here for driving directions to the start of the run (Foothill College, Parking Lot 7).
  • Click here to download the GPX track of the route!
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Route Details:
  • 0.0 mi: From Parking Lot 7 at Foothill College, cross over El Monte Road and get onto the dirt path along the left side of Moody Road.
  • 0.3 mi: Veer left to stay on the path along Moody Road.
  • 0.5 mi: Turn left onto Rhus Ridge Road toward the Rhus Ridge trailhead.
  • 0.8 mi: Turn right into the Rhus Ridge parking lot and trailhead. From here, the trail climbs over 700' in 0.9 miles!
  • 1.7 mi: Rhus Ridge Trail ends (finally!) at Black Mountain Trail. Turn right onto Black Mountain Trail and continue climbing gradually.
  • 2.4 mi: Pass the Hostel Trail on your right. Continue on Black Mountain Trail.
  • 2.6 mi: Turn right onto the Ewing Hill Trail into Hidden Villa. Get ready for a beautiful swooping descent into Hidden Villa!
  • 3.3 mi: Ewing Hill Trail turns into Creek Trail. Continue on a gradual descent alongside Adobe Creek.
  • 4.2 mi: At the confluence of the West, Middle, and East forks of Adobe Creek. Cross the bridge and turn right toward the Hostel.
  • 4.5 mi: Pass the Hostel and continue up the dirt driveway through the farm and toward Moody Road.
  • 4.9 mi: At Moody Road, turn right. You will soon see a dirt path along the right side of Moody Road which you will follow all of the way back to your car.
  • 6.1 mi: Pass Rhus Ridge Road. Continue on the path alongside Moody Road.
  • 6.6 mi: Back at your car!
Picture
View from the high point on Ewing Hill Trail
Picture
Cruising down Ewing Hill Trail

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