The Place

Italian for "beautiful mountain,” Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is a place of rolling grasslands, dense creekside forest, and spectacular vistas; a place rich in wildlife and ecosystems diversity.
Monte Bello Ridge and Black Mountain provide a scenic view of Santa Clara Valley and the Mt. Hamilton Range. Settlers to this area named one of their towns Mountain View because they had a view of Black Mountain.

Getting There

From San Jose take Highway 280 north and exit on Page Mill Road, then go left (west and uphill) for 7 miles. You will see the Monte Bello Open Space sign on the left. We'll meet in this parking lot by the restrooms. Additional parking just across the road in the Los Trancos Open Space Preserve parking lot.

Travel time from San Jose 60 minutes. Parking is free.

Walking the Walk

The trailhead is located across the parking lot away from the restrooms. The Wild Recovery sign will mark the trailhead and a map will be displayed on the sign. This is somewhat a difficult hike especially at the beginning of Black Mountain.

We'll start out on the White Oak Trail which joins the Canyon Trail and follow Indian Creek Trail up to Monte Bello Road. Then we climb up to Black Mountain where we'll have our meeting. We come back down via Monte Bello Road, connecting to Old Ranch Trail. Then we follow Bella Vista Trail back to Canyon Trail and finish on the opposite side of the parking lot.

This is a Level 3.5 hike. It is 6.5 miles long, starting at 2,200', down to the valley at 1,600 feet and back up Black Mountain to 2,800' for a 1,200' change in elevation.

Know Before You Go

Bring sunblock, plenty of water and snacks. A hat and trekking poles optional but recomended. Be alert for rattlesnakes; they are especially active in warm weather. Stay in designated trails to avoid poison oak. Check for ticks frequently.

Sorry, no dogs allowed. Smoking is prohibited in the preserve. Restrooms are located in the parking lot and up in the hill by the campground on Old Ranch Trail. See the Trail Maps/Park Info page for maps and more information about the park. For more information about the hike contact your host, Angel L. It's always good to check back here for last-minute updates also.