Arrowhead Loop Trail

Arrowhead Loop Trail is a 4-mile loop hike in Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve, about 20 miles south of San Jose. The route is built on grasslands and through forest canopy of oaks and California bays, with sections that run along seasonal creeks.

The trail follows a single loop that you can hike in either direction. It includes enough climb to elevate your effort over the course of the loop (mapped gain is roughly 611–680 ft).

Terrain stays in the preserve’s rolling foothill character, with a mix of gradual climbing and descending. Expect a moderate hiking experience despite the route being rated easy in the mapping data you’re using here.

A notable feature is the loop passing rare serpentine rock outcroppings. Birdwatching is a common draw in the area, with the preserve listing multiple raptor species such as red-tailed hawks and golden eagles.

For timing, a typical completion window is about 1.5 to 2 hours for most hikers, depending on pace and how long you linger at viewpoints.

Park access is at 550 Palm Ave., Morgan Hill, CA, with a free parking lot. Bicycles and horses also use the Arrowhead Loop Trail, and the preserve manages bikes as one-way with a rotating direction schedule; when you share the route, yield appropriately to other users and stay within designated trails.

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