Hill of a Good Hike

Hike a panoramic loop at St. Joseph's Hill in the Los Gatos Hills

Hiker pointing towards the Lexington Reservoir at the high point of St. Joseph's Hill in Los Gatos

Located just off Highway 17 in the Los Gatos hills, St. Joseph’s Hill packs a big panorama within this 3.5-mile loop. Start on the Jones Trail for a gentle ascent among enormous and fragrant eucalyptus trees. Less than a mile in, turn left onto the Novitiate Trail. This winding route quickly gains elevation, gifting hikers with views of the surrounding forest and mountains.

Mountain biker riding upa wide trail at St. Joseph's Hill in Los Gatos Bay Area

Hikers on a wide and flat trail at St. Joseph's Hill in Los Gatos

Hiker heading up a wide dirt trail at St. Joseph's Hill in Los Gatos

Signs for the Hilltop Vista guide you up the Range Trail, Brothers Bypass, and Manzanita Trail, aptly named for the bright red- and copper-barked trees lining the route. After less than half a mile, the trees give way to open skies and the summit. At 1,253 feet, St. Joseph’s Hill has a huge view of the Santa Clara Valley and surrounding mountains, including the impressive Diablo Range to the north.

Hiker looking out to the Lexington Reservoir from the high point of St. Joseph's Hill in Los Gatos

From here, continue south along the Manzanita Trail until it intersects the Serpentine Trail. This twisty path through manzanita groves includes views of the deep-blue Lexington Reservoir. Make a right onto the Manzanita Trail to complete your loop, and follow the Novitiate and Jones Trails back to the trailhead. (At the Jones Trail intersection, hikers can add an extra mile (round-trip) to their route by heading south to the Lexington Reservoir for an up-close view of the water before returning to the trailhead.)

Mountain biker going up a trail at St. Joseph's Hill in Los Gatos

BONUS WINE: Taste some wine and soak up the views at multiple-award-winning Testarossa Winery, less than a mile from the trailhead. There's an expansive patio for tasting their much lauded California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Testarossa Winery stone builiding and outdoor patio in Los Gatos

The Jones Creek Trail Entrance is located at the end of Jones Road in Los Gatos. (259 Jones Rd.) Street parking is available in this quiet neighborhood, but please be courteous to residents and avoid parking in private driveways. Dog-friendly!

Story and photos by Poe Casavant.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View
  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

    View
  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View
  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

    View