Hidden Villa

Picture
Located off Moody Road in Los Altos Hills, Hidden Villa is a nonprofit educational organization featuring an organic farm and hostel that offers programs to teach about the environment and social justice. In addition, it features over 1600 acres of wilderness with about 8 miles of trails connecting to Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. The wilderness is lush and hilly and the trails range from easy to challenging. One surprising and beautiful feature of Hidden Villa is the seasonal cascade of waterfalls along Bunny Creek in the spring.

Hidden Villa was founded by Frank and Josephine Duveneck, who purchased the land in 1924. In 1937, the Duvenecks established the first Hostel on the Pacific Coast, as well as the first multiracial summer camp in 1945 and Hidden Villa’s Environmental Education Program in 1970. 

Hidden Villa's trails are not always open to the public. The trails are closed during summer camp season, generally mid-June through late August. During the rest of the year, the trails are generally open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to dusk. Parking fees at Hidden Villa are not cheap! They are $8/car as of August 2016, increasing to $10/car in 2017. You can buy a season pass for $60 as of August 2016. Please check the website for updated pricing.

While Hidden Villa does a good job maintaining the trails, they can be overgrown. Watch out for poison oak here!
PictureRunning down the Ewing Hill Trail
The Dirt:
  • Click here for a printable map of the Favorite Runs below!
  • Click here for the Hidden Villa website.
  • Click here for driving directions to the parking area via Google Maps. (Note there is a fee to park in Hidden Villa.

Extras:
  • In addition to the hostel, Hidden Villa has several houses and a cabin that can be rented for overnight stays or special occasions.  Refer to the website for more information.
  • Hidden Villa trails connect to Rancho San Antonio Open Space, making longer runs or hikes possible, such as this run starting from Foothill College.
  • There is no drinking water available along the trails in Hidden Villa.

Favorite Run #1: Hostel & Creek Loop (3.7 mi, ~750 feet elevation gain)

This route starts from the main parking lot and climbs steeply for about 750' up to Ewing Hill. After a brief section in Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, the route then reenters Hidden Villa for a swooping downhill on the Ewing Hill Trail, followed by a gradual descent along Adobe Creek back to the parking lot.

The route starts from the main parking lot, about 0.25 miles up the driveway from Moody Road. To begin, head past the hostel and turn left onto the Hostel Trail.

GPX Track

Printable Trail Map

Driving Directions
Route Details:
  • 0.0 mi: From the main parking lot, head up the driveway past the hostel. 
  • 0.1 mi: Just past the hostel, turn left onto the Hostel Trail. The trail begins with steep switchbacks and gradually becomes less steep as you climb.
  • 0.5 mi: At Toyon Trail, keep left to stay on Hostel Trail. You will soon reach the top of 1200' Elephant Mountain and then a short descent.
  • 1.2 mi: At Grapevine Trail, keep left to stay on Hostel Trail. You will soon reach 1250' Ewing Hill. 
  • 1.5 mi: Hostel Trail ends at Black Mountain Trail. Turn right and keep an eye out for a trail on the right.
  • 1.7 mi: Turn right onto Ewing Hill Trail to re-enter Hidden Villa. You will briefly climb and then start a swooping narrow descent.
  • 2.4 mi: Ewing Hill Trail turns into Creek Trail. You will follow the creek trail all of the way back to the main driveway.
  • 2.8 mi: Stay left at the Grapevine and Pipeline trails to remain on Creek Trail.
  • 3.3 mi: At the confluence of the East, Middle, and West forks of Adobe Creek. Cross the first bridge, then turn right and cross the 2nd bridge and continue toward the hostel.
  • 3.6 mi: Pass the hostel.
  • 3.7 mi: Back at the parking lot and your car!
Picture
The Creek Trail

Favorite Run #2: Long Bunny Waterfall Loop (2.1 mi, ~500 feet elevation gain)

This loop follows the lush and shaded Long Bunny Loop. The first half is a fairly steep climb up about a dozen switchbacks.  The descent follows Bunny Creek which boasts several cascades and a seasonal waterfall that roars to life after heavy rains. Note that you can do the Long Bunny Loop in either direction, but we recommend the clockwise direction so you climb the switchbacks and can then enjoy the creek on the descent. 

The route starts from the main parking lot, about 0.25 miles up the driveway from Moody Road. To begin, head past the hostel and continue up the main driveway toward the Creek Trail.

GPX Track

Printable Trail Map

Driving Directions
Route Details:
PictureSeasonal waterfall along Bunny Creek
  • 0.0 mi: From the main parking lot, head up the driveway toward the hostel. Continue past the hostel. Continue past the hostel on the main dirt trail, heading toward Creek Trail. (Note: You want to follow signs for the Creek Trail, NOT the Bunny Loop!)
  • 0.4 mi: Pass the Bypass Trail, cross over the creek, then continue straight onto the Bunny Loop Trail. You will climb up multiple switchbacks for the next mile.
  • 0.6 mi: At the Short/Long Bunny Loop split, turn left to stay on the Long Bunny Loop.
  • 1.0 mi: At the top of the climb. There's no view from here, but your reward is that the rest is downhill!
  • 1.3 mi: Cross Bunny Creek. You will soon see the cascades and waterfalls, if it has rained recently.
  • 1.7 mi: Pass the Short/Long Bunny Loop junction. Continue straight along the creek toward Hidden Villa.
  • 1.9 mi: Shortly after the trail widens to a dirt road you will reach a wooden bridge on your right. Turn right and cross the bridge, then immediately turn left following signs for Hidden Villa. You will follow this dirt driveway back out to your car.
  • 2.1 mi: Back at your car!

Comments: