Best hikes in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Ambleway maps 17 hikes in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, from a 1.3-mile walk to a 16-mile day out. All of them score as wild, staying clear of roads and development for most of the route; the wildest is Cusack's Trail. The biggest climb is Maple Falls–Aptos Rancho Viewpoint, 8 sights, gaining 2,854 ft, and the network tops out at 2,596 ft. 2 start within walking range of public transit.
- The Advocate Tree–Aptos Rancho Viewpoint Loop, 3 sights 1.3 mi · ▲ 227 ft
- Aptos Creek Fire Road 2 mi · ▲ 85 ft
- Land of Medicine Buddha & 6 mile trail loop 2 mi · ▲ 386 ft
- Buzzard Lagoon Spur 2 mi · ▲ 417 ft
- Vienna Woods Trail 2 mi · ▲ 331 ft
- Cusack's Trail 2.2 mi · ▲ 264 ft
- Aptos Rancho Viewpoint–Aptos Creek Road, 3 sights 2.4 mi · ▲ 384 ft
- Aptos Creek Road 2.5 mi · ▲ 363 ft
- Trout Gulch Trail 4 mi · ▲ 530 ft
- 6 mile trail loop 7 mi · ▲ 1,267 ft
- Olive Springs–Sand Point Overlook, 5 sights 9.6 mi · ▲ 1,875 ft
- Lone Tree Prairie–Olive Springs, 6 sights 12 mi · ▲ 2,411 ft
- Five Finger Falls–Olive Springs, 6 sights 12.6 mi · ▲ 2,719 ft
- Sand Point Overlook–Aptos Rancho Trail, 5 sights 13.5 mi · ▲ 2,392 ft
- Santa Rosalia Mountain–Olive Springs, 6 sights 13.7 mi · ▲ 2,537 ft
- Aptos Creek Road–Big Stump Gap Trail, 5 sights 14 mi · ▲ 2,311 ft
- Maple Falls–Aptos Rancho Viewpoint, 8 sights 15.6 mi · ▲ 2,854 ft