Back to all Hikes

hard

Activities

  • Hiking
  • Dogs
  • Horses
  • Fishing
  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Handicap Accessibility
  • Swimming

Sierra Azul Information

With 3,300 feet of vertical gain over such rugged terrain, the challenging Kennedy-Limekiln Area Loop is great for serious hikers.

Watch for:

Keep an eye out for coast live oak, bay trees, redwoods, deer, bobcats, and coyotes as well as the peaks of Mt. Thayer and Mt. Umunhum.

Hiking Details for Kennedy-Limekiln Area Loop

Distance: 14.1 mile loop

Elevation change: 3,300′ elevation gain

Hiking time: 9-10 hours

Trail surface: Packed dirt, mostly exposed

Best Season: Year round

Managing agency: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space

Parking lot location: Click here for directions

Overview: To start this 14.1-mile out-and-back hike, take the Kennedy Trail to the Limekiln Trail, then the Priest Rock Trail and back to the Kennedy Trail. Your hard work will be rewarded with panoramic views of the South Bay.

Sierra Azul is one of the largest open space preserves in the Bay Area.  The chaparral habitat here is home to a wide variety of local wildlife – so be on the lookout.

Part of this trail follows the route of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, which connects the highest points around the San Francisco Bay for 375 miles. Once complete, it will circumnavigate the entire Bay Area for a total of 550 miles.

Directions to Sierra Azul

The Kennedy Trailhead is about three miles southeast from the town center of Los Gatos. Drive on Kennedy Road until you reach the restricted access road at the junction of Top of the Hill Road and Kennedy Road.

More about the Kennedy-Limekiln Area Loop

POST has protected 14 properties and just over 4,000 acres of what is now 18,000-acre Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. This preserve is now managed by our partners at the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.

Scroll to top