The Beauty of Black Mountain

Hike to the Summit of Black Mountain in the South Bay

Hike Monte Bello Opens Space to Black Mountain

Rising 2,800 feet over the Peninsula’s Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, Black Mountain—the inspiration behind Mountain View’s name—quietly stands watch over the South Bay. Whatever your adventure style, this mountain’s got you covered! Open to hikers, cyclists, and equestrians, Black Mountain can be accessed from five different parks. It’s also one of the few local summits with its own backpacking camp.

Hike Monte Bello Open Space Preserve Black Mountain

This 5.4-mile loop from Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is a moderately difficult route up the mountain’s west side. From Monte Bello’s main parking lot, head south on the Stevens Creek Nature Trail, then bear left to merge onto the Canyon Trail. Early morning is the best time to visit this section of the park, when the sunrise peeking over the hills is beautiful.

Follow signs for the Backpack Camp as they lead up Bella Vista Trail, a beautiful open grassland that’s home to deer, coyotes, and bobcats. Then turn right onto Old Ranch Trail, the final steep push to the summit ridgeline. At the end of the trail, overnight hikers can set up their tents at the Backpack Camp (permits required).

Signs for the summit will lead hikers up a wide dirt road to the rocky peak. Strike your best victory pose among the Calera Limestone, and see if you can spot the metal summit marker among the rocks (or even a flash of gold, once mined here). Soak up the fantastic views, spanning from the Santa Clara Valley to San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean.

When you’ve had your fill of the scenery, retrace the route back down the dirt road and turn left onto Indian Hill Trail. After rainstorms, a seasonal pond can be found on this trail, and eagle-eyed adventurers can spot newts in the water. Turn right onto Canyon Trail and retrace your steps back to the parking lot.

Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is located at 4301 Page Mill Rd., Los Altos. From I-280, exit onto Page Mill Rd. Drive south for 7 miles, then turn left into the park. The park is open one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset. No dogs.

Story and photos by Heather Werner, @heath.er.wer.ner

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View