Relatively flat. Great scenery of water birds and green banks. Well marked. Lots of people on week days. Almost too dense (but not really) on weekends.
Get out of the city and take a local hike in the foothills of Los Gatos, or along the Campbell Creek Trail. Good for dogs on leashes, bikers, hikers, and children.
The Los Gatos Creek trail runs from Los Gatos through Campbell along the banks of the creek. It is paved and designed primarily for runners and bicycle riders. Interestingly Interstate 880 also runs along Los Gatos Creek. BUT the Los Gatos Creek trail is 20 - 60 feet below the Freeway. And, with the foliage, you are often not aware that a busy roadway is that close. It's a great way to get some exercise in the middle of a megalopolis.
Lots of beautiful trails. My wife and her friends frequently take the main trail which goes up into the mountains, past the Lexington dam and beck to downtown Los Gatos. They always feel safe (though there are some mountain lions up there). You can mountain bike all the way up to the top for a great view and fun ride back down. The best entrance to the trail is at the end of Jones.
I walk here often with my friends. It is an easy walk where ever you enter the trail. Usually always see "wild life" of some sort. One thing I don't enjoy are the cyclists who sometimes "speed" along the trail and pass without ringing their bike bells or verbally letting you know they are about to pass.
As San Jose can get quite hot in the summer, this trail is perfect almost year round as it offers lots of shade. It's a very long trail but I recommend taking it from Vasona Park. You always see some friendly faces while walking this trail, but it hardly gets too crowded to enjoy a leisurely walk or a run. One of the many places in the area to enjoy San Jose's year round mild weather!
I run my own doggie day care, so, last month on a day when it got close to 100 degrees in San Jose. I needed to take the dogs out for a walk, so I decided to go to Vasona Park. I had remembered that one of the trails that run to and from the park was pretty shady. I hadn't realized just how shady and beautiful this trail was. It winds down along the creek on Roberts Ave. It was beautiful!! So many trees and wildlife, it never even got hot for us and we all enjoyed the walk. If I need to walk dogs now when it is hot - this is where I am going!!!!
I love this trail. It runs from Willow Glen to Lake Vasona in Los Gatos and a little beyond. I believe the whole trail is 13 miles long. I'd say the best parts are from Campbell Park to Lake Vasona, and spring is the best time to go. There is also a dog park along the trail in Campbell. If you're looking for paved exercise trails, there is also one that runs along downtown (though a few homeless may be present), one from Alamden Lake, and another near Hellyer Park called Coyote Creek.
This is where my kids learned to ride. It is friendly, flat and shaded in many places. Excellent for running because of the scenery and length.
The LG Creek Trail is good for walking especially if you are a woman and enjoy the security of being able to walk in a very safe environment. The LGCT gets very busy on the weekends, but is still a great place to walk off those extra pounds or just take a quiet walk through the trail.