Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Excellent county park. The trails r well-maintained. Many of the trails are paved and quite wide. There are trails for all levels. There are a mix of shaded and exposed trails. Some nice open views.

Almaden Quicksilver County Park, located in south San Jose, California, offers a variety of trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian use, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and historic mercury mining sites. The park spans 4,163 acres and features over 34 miles of trails, with options ranging from easy strolls to more challenging treks. Here’s a rundown of some notable trails based on available information: New Almaden Trail: A popular choice, this trail can be accessed from multiple entrances, like Mockingbird Hill or Hacienda. From Mockingbird Hill, it’s an easy up-and-down route through wooded areas, roughly a half-mile to Randol Creek, with the option to extend to the Buena Vista Mine site for a 2.5-mile out-and-back. It’s scenic, with gentle terrain and historical remnants along the way. Mine Hill Trail: Starting at the Hacienda entrance, this trail is a backbone of the park’s network. A basic loop with Randol Trail covers about 9 miles, but you can extend it to 12 or 15 miles by connecting to other paths. It’s moderately strenuous with steep sections, offering expansive views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and passing key mining relics like the rotary furnace. Senador Mine to Mine Hill Loop: This 14-mile loop, accessible from the Mockingbird Hill entrance, is moderately challenging with rolling hills and great views of the Bay Area and Guadalupe Reservoir. It follows New Almaden Trail to Cinnabar Trail, up Mine Hill Trail, then loops back via Senador Mine and Guadalupe Trails. It’s well-marked and ideal for a longer adventure. Mockingbird Loop: A 3.7-mile moderate loop from the Mockingbird Hill entrance, this trail combines Hacienda, Capehorn Pass, Randol, Buena Vista, and New Almaden Trails. It’s steep in parts but rewards with beautiful vistas and historical sites, making it a solid choice for a shorter hike. Wood Road Trail: From the quieter Wood Road entrance, this 3-mile out-and-back is mostly flat and shaded by oaks and madrones, transitioning to open chaparral. It’s an easy, peaceful option, extendable to 5 miles by linking to Mine Hill Trail. Senador Mine Loop (McAbee Entrance): A 2-mile loop from the McAbee entrance, this trail climbs through oak woodlands and chaparral to the Senador Mine site, offering views of Almaden Valley. It’s a wide fire road with some steep, rocky stretches—perfect for a quick history-infused hike. The park’s trails vary in difficulty and length, with elevation gains from 246 to over 12,000 feet across its longest routes. Spring brings wildflower displays, while fall offers crunchy foliage. Be mindful of the heat in summer—many trails are exposed—and note that potable water is only available at Hacienda and Mockingbird Hill entrances. Dogs are welcome on leash, and the park’s mining past adds a unique layer, with relics like sealed mines and old structures scattered throughout. For the most current trail conditions, checking resources like AllTrails or the Santa Clara County Parks website is a good move, especially after weather events.

Almaden Quicksilver Park offers a beautiful and peaceful hiking experience with scenic trails, rolling hills, and stunning views of Silicon Valley. The mix of shaded paths and open landscapes makes it perfect for all levels. Plus, A great spot for a refreshing outdoor escape!

It was a beautiful morning for hiking. We met people on the trail but it was not crowded. We took the counter clockwise loop, which gets steep downhill. Not too difficult but knees get a good workout. Otherwise the is clean and wide. There is plenty of parking in the lot. The views from the top are beautiful.

Parts of this park are really nice. And the signs explaining all the history are great. Some parts of this park are just hell. Super steep exposed hot fire roads. Not a fun part of our trail run. The single track trails in the shade were really fun though, and I love open space so easily accessible from the city!