13.9 miles
Distance
2,088 ft
Climb
-2,093 ft
Descent
2,577 ft
High Point

New Flow Trail in Santa Cruz

Detailed Description
Flow Trail loop is a highly rated 14 mile popular intermediate route located near Soquel California. This mountain bike only route can be used one direction and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 17 trails. This route climbs 2,088 ft with a max elevation of 2,577 ft then descends -2,093 ft.
Local Trail Association
Local trail association
Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship (santacruztrails.org)
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Trail Products

63 Reviews & Comments

  • + 0
dstark70sf (Jun 27, 2022 at 11:45)
 Did it yesterday. Climb up Aptos Creek road was all fire road. When I climb I prefer single track, so I found it boring. I really liked the Ridge trail. Ridge is mostly blue with a mix of black that can easily be walked. Flow was awesome as well. There’s a gradual climb out which was under shade for the entire ride.

Overall I thought it was great, and I recommend, but the fire roads take away a star from my rating.
[Reply]
  • + 2
jstn4102 (May 9, 2022 at 10:18)
Trail Ridge Trail
 I feel like Ridge should be rated as a Black. I think as another commenter pointed out, the trail is getting more technical over time. There are sections of ridge that have consecutive root drops, and technical steep and chunky rollers. There are also small sections of the uphill sections of ridge that are pretty technical and I see most riders dab.
[Reply]
  • + 2
jstn4102 (May 9, 2022 at 10:18)
Trail Ridge Trail
 I feel like Ridge should be rated as a Black. I think as another commenter pointed out, the trail is getting more technical over time. There are sections of ridge that have consecutive root drops, and technical steep and chunky rollers. There are also small sections of the uphill sections of ridge that are pretty technical and I see most riders dab.
[Reply]
  • + 2
jstn4102 (May 9, 2022 at 10:18)
Trail Ridge Trail
 I feel like Ridge should be rated as a Black. I think as another commenter pointed out, the trail is getting more technical over time. There are sections of ridge that have consecutive root drops, and technical steep and chunky rollers. There are also small sections of the uphill sections of ridge that are pretty technical and I see most riders dab.
[Reply]
  • + 2
jstn4102 (May 9, 2022 at 10:18)
Trail Ridge Trail
 I feel like Ridge should be rated as a Black. I think as another commenter pointed out, the trail is getting more technical over time. There are sections of ridge that have consecutive root drops, and technical steep and chunky rollers. There are also small sections of the uphill sections of ridge that are pretty technical and I see most riders dab.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Kidklayko (May 11, 2022 at 10:35)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Agreed it has one little rock garden that can be a little tricky, though I think part of the reasons it's eroded so fast is because of the E-bikes that sneak in.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Kidklayko (May 11, 2022 at 10:35)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Agreed it has one little rock garden that can be a little tricky, though I think part of the reasons it's eroded so fast is because of the E-bikes that sneak in.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Kidklayko (May 11, 2022 at 10:35)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Agreed it has one little rock garden that can be a little tricky, though I think part of the reasons it's eroded so fast is because of the E-bikes that sneak in.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Kidklayko (May 11, 2022 at 10:35)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Agreed it has one little rock garden that can be a little tricky, though I think part of the reasons it's eroded so fast is because of the E-bikes that sneak in.
[Reply]
  • + 1
spokesmanmtb (May 16, 2022 at 11:37)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Ebikes aren’t allowed, but I don’t think that they are the reason the trail is wearing out.
[Reply]
  • + 1
spokesmanmtb (May 16, 2022 at 11:37)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Ebikes aren’t allowed, but I don’t think that they are the reason the trail is wearing out.
[Reply]
  • + 1
spokesmanmtb (May 16, 2022 at 11:37)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Ebikes aren’t allowed, but I don’t think that they are the reason the trail is wearing out.
[Reply]
  • + 1
spokesmanmtb (May 16, 2022 at 11:37)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Ebikes aren’t allowed, but I don’t think that they are the reason the trail is wearing out.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Danial2L1Ihi (Jul 2, 2022 at 13:22)
Trail Ridge Trail
 True but I see them there quite a bit
[Reply]
  • + 1
Danial2L1Ihi (Jul 2, 2022 at 13:22)
Trail Ridge Trail
 True but I see them there quite a bit
[Reply]
  • + 1
Danial2L1Ihi (Jul 2, 2022 at 13:22)
Trail Ridge Trail
 True but I see them there quite a bit
[Reply]
  • + 1
Danial2L1Ihi (Jul 2, 2022 at 13:22)
Trail Ridge Trail
 True but I see them there quite a bit
[Reply]
  • + 1
Kidklayko (Jul 2, 2022 at 18:00)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Exactly
[Reply]
  • + 1
Kidklayko (Jul 2, 2022 at 18:00)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Exactly
[Reply]
  • + 1
Kidklayko (Jul 2, 2022 at 18:00)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Exactly
[Reply]
  • + 1
Kidklayko (Jul 2, 2022 at 18:00)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Exactly
[Reply]
  • + 0
steelispossiblyreal (Feb 27, 2022 at 8:20)
Trail Ridge Trail
 This is a great way to get your descending legs after climbing for a while. Solid warmup before you drop Braille or Flow. Some swoop natural flow, rock gardens, side hits.
[Reply]
  • + 0
steelispossiblyreal (Feb 27, 2022 at 8:20)
Trail Ridge Trail
 This is a great way to get your descending legs after climbing for a while. Solid warmup before you drop Braille or Flow. Some swoop natural flow, rock gardens, side hits.
[Reply]
  • + 0
steelispossiblyreal (Feb 27, 2022 at 8:20)
Trail Ridge Trail
 This is a great way to get your descending legs after climbing for a while. Solid warmup before you drop Braille or Flow. Some swoop natural flow, rock gardens, side hits.
[Reply]
  • + 0
steelispossiblyreal (Feb 27, 2022 at 8:20)
Trail Ridge Trail
 This is a great way to get your descending legs after climbing for a while. Solid warmup before you drop Braille or Flow. Some swoop natural flow, rock gardens, side hits.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Rcking78 (Jan 15, 2022 at 20:27)
 Flow 1-4 is running pretty rough. Flow 5 & 6 are running smoother and the berms are in better condition. After riding this loop it’s def not worth the climbs in and out.
[Reply]
  • + 1
slmuller (Dec 14, 2021 at 10:48)
Trail Flow Trail 1
 Holy brake bumps Batman y'all gotta figure out how to stay off the stoppers
[Reply]
  • + 1
kris142b (Dec 5, 2021 at 19:11)
Trail Buzzard Lagoon Road
 Somehow managed to find myself on this trail today trying to get to Flow trail. 10/10 do not recommend. Got 3 miles downhill before realizing something isnt right. Not a fun walk back up.
[Reply]
  • + 1
kris142b (Dec 5, 2021 at 19:11)
Trail Buzzard Lagoon Road
 Somehow managed to find myself on this trail today trying to get to Flow trail. 10/10 do not recommend. Got 3 miles downhill before realizing something isnt right. Not a fun walk back up.
[Reply]
  • + 0
mtbflauto (Feb 3, 2021 at 11:37)
Trail Flow Trail 1
 How is the trail right now? Is it still running rough from last season?
[Reply]
  • + 0
Cabothe89 (Jan 3, 2021 at 19:42)
Trail Flow Trail 1
 Flow trail is very wet right now (and will be more wet after rain this week)! Pls don’t ride until it dries out so the trail doesn’t get ruined Smile
[Reply]
  • + 1
Three6ty (Oct 26, 2020 at 20:32)
 The Flow Trail is a fun trail and worth doing it once. But definitely not worth the 2200' of climbing to get there and back. Pretty easy trail with no real jumps or technical parts. But it is fast and flowy..
[Reply]
  • + 1
Emilianofloressaenz (Oct 26, 2020 at 6:46)
Trail Flow Trail 1
 Rode yesterday and this trail has seen better days suuuuper blown out with huge brake holes kinda sad to see hopefully they fix it by next season
[Reply]
  • + 0
davidtzlu (Oct 14, 2020 at 13:49)
Trail Flow Trail 5
 Tree down around blind corner.
[Reply]
  • + 1
spokesmanmtb (Oct 14, 2020 at 16:37)
Trail Flow Trail 5
 Is this the tree that is down at the very bottom of the trail on the fire road? If so, I wouldn’t necessarily call it a blind corner, but it is a tiny bit of a surprise. I had plenty of time to slow down when I saw it. And it’s not actually on the trail, it’s after the trail.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Roadkilltester (Sep 28, 2020 at 23:03)
Trail Aptos Creek Road
 Great ride but avoid the weekends...crazy busy. Weekdays are so much better with smaller crowds. It’s dry but that what you get until the rain starts.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Roadkilltester (Sep 28, 2020 at 23:03)
Trail Aptos Creek Road
 Great ride but avoid the weekends...crazy busy. Weekdays are so much better with smaller crowds. It’s dry but that what you get until the rain starts.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Roadkilltester (Sep 28, 2020 at 23:03)
Trail Aptos Creek Road
 Great ride but avoid the weekends...crazy busy. Weekdays are so much better with smaller crowds. It’s dry but that what you get until the rain starts.
[Reply]
  • + 2
bowersdaniel9 (Jul 17, 2020 at 13:49)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Ridge is getting more technical as it erodes
[Reply]
  • + 2
bowersdaniel9 (Jul 17, 2020 at 13:49)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Ridge is getting more technical as it erodes
[Reply]
  • + 2
bowersdaniel9 (Jul 17, 2020 at 13:49)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Ridge is getting more technical as it erodes
[Reply]
  • + 2
bowersdaniel9 (Jul 17, 2020 at 13:49)
Trail Ridge Trail
 Ridge is getting more technical as it erodes
[Reply]
  • + 1
acyclist (Jun 6, 2020 at 22:45)
 Fun trail, 6 segments.
[Reply]
  • + 1
okcorrell (May 25, 2020 at 20:16)
Trail Hihns Mill Road
 The closed section is now open. Happy riding!
[Reply]
  • + 1
okcorrell (May 25, 2020 at 20:16)
Trail Hihns Mill Road
 The closed section is now open. Happy riding!
[Reply]
  • + 0
Goatheadtom (Feb 23, 2020 at 12:40)
Trail Hihns Mill Road
 Kk kkkkoossoon
P op iooopooo
[Reply]
  • + 0
Goatheadtom (Feb 23, 2020 at 12:40)
Trail Hihns Mill Road
 Kk kkkkoossoon
P op iooopooo
[Reply]
  • + 1
twowheeledwanderer (Dec 3, 2019 at 11:21)
Trail Flow Trail 5
 The Flow Trail is so fun! It's 3.4 miles of fast, flowy singletrack with machine-built berms and lots of little rollers to catch air. Climbing up to the top is no joke, though... I wrote a post about everything you need to know about the Flow Trail and Demo Forest twowheeledwanderer.com/posts/santa-cruz-flow-trail
[Reply]
  • + 1
twowheeledwanderer (Dec 3, 2019 at 11:21)
Trail Flow Trail 4
 The Flow Trail is so fun! It's 3.4 miles of fast, flowy singletrack with machine-built berms and lots of little rollers to catch air. Climbing up to the top is no joke, though... I wrote a post about everything you need to know about the Flow Trail and Demo Forest twowheeledwanderer.com/posts/santa-cruz-flow-trail
[Reply]
  • + 1
twowheeledwanderer (Dec 3, 2019 at 11:20)
Trail Flow Trail 3
 The Flow Trail is so fun! It's 3.4 miles of fast, flowy singletrack with machine-built berms and lots of little rollers to catch air. Climbing up to the top is no joke, though... I wrote a post about everything you need to know about the Flow Trail and Demo Forest twowheeledwanderer.com/posts/santa-cruz-flow-trail
[Reply]
  • + 1
twowheeledwanderer (Dec 3, 2019 at 11:20)
Trail Flow Trail 2
 The Flow Trail is so fun! It's 3.4 miles of fast, flowy singletrack with machine-built berms and lots of little rollers to catch air. Climbing up to the top is no joke, though... I wrote a post about everything you need to know about the Flow Trail and Demo Forest twowheeledwanderer.com/posts/santa-cruz-flow-trail
[Reply]
  • + 2
twowheeledwanderer (Dec 3, 2019 at 11:20)
Trail Flow Trail 1
 The Flow Trail is so fun! It's 3.4 miles of fast, flowy singletrack with machine-built berms and lots of little rollers to catch air. Climbing up to the top is no joke, though... I wrote a post about everything you need to know about the Flow Trail and Demo Forest twowheeledwanderer.com/posts/santa-cruz-flow-trail
[Reply]
  • + 1
WillieB (Nov 11, 2019 at 22:08)
Trail Flow Trail 5
 This is the sickest segment
[Reply]
  • + 2
mayjj (Aug 2, 2019 at 14:05)
 Did the loop today. You climb for about 45 min before hitting the ridge trail. After you finish the Flow segments you climb again to the parking lot, took about 30 min. The whole loop took us about 2 hours with just a couple of quick stops. Fun trail!
[Reply]
  • + 0
outerculture (Apr 21, 2019 at 19:50)
 A Bay Area classic. The Demo flow trail gets all the rage... for a reason. One long flow, you better be in great shape to do it top to bottom...
[Reply]
  • + 0
Olemanmtb (Jun 30, 2018 at 3:28)
Trail Flow Trail 6
 Superb and highly recommend. Rode all 6 hats off to persons who maintain these trails at Demo Forest
[Reply]
  • + 0
Olemanmtb (Jun 30, 2018 at 3:24)
Trail Flow Trail 1
 Superb and highly recommend
[Reply]
  • + 0
Kenairiverflyguy (Apr 1, 2018 at 23:22)
 Amazing trail!
[Reply]
  • + 0
owenb723 (Dec 12, 2017 at 18:09)
Trail Aptos Creek Road
 So Awesome must ride
[Reply]
  • + 0
owenb723 (Dec 12, 2017 at 18:09)
Trail Aptos Creek Road
 So Awesome must ride
[Reply]
  • + 0
owenb723 (Dec 12, 2017 at 18:09)
Trail Aptos Creek Road
 So Awesome must ride
[Reply]
  • + 0
aguynamedjoe SCMTS Staff (Sep 5, 2017 at 7:11)
Trail Buzzard Lagoon Road
 Buzzard Lagoon is best ridden on a cross bike as a segment of a longer ride, like Up Eureka Canyon, Down Buzzard. It does have a great view of the Monterey Bay halfway down.
[Reply]
  • + 0
aguynamedjoe SCMTS Staff (Sep 5, 2017 at 7:11)
Trail Buzzard Lagoon Road
 Buzzard Lagoon is best ridden on a cross bike as a segment of a longer ride, like Up Eureka Canyon, Down Buzzard. It does have a great view of the Monterey Bay halfway down.
[Reply]





Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
    Soquel Demonstration State Forest
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Blue
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • Bike type
    AM
  • Direction
    One Direction
  • Physical rating
    Moderate
  • Ridelogs
    3,791
More Stats for Flow Trail loop mountain bike route
  • Altitude min
    794 ft
  • Altitude start
    1,904 ft
  • Altitude end
    1,900 ft
  • Grade
    -0%
  • Grade max
    -33.1%
  • Grade min
    35.2%
  • Distance climb
    8 miles
  • Distance down
    6 miles
  • Distance flat
    2,579 ft
Avg: 4.5 (12 votes)

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
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  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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Photos

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Videos

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Demo Dayz
Demo Dayz
16:24 | 40 | comments: 0 | favs:
May 9, 2022
Santa Cruz Mountain Biking | Flow Trail Crash
Santa Cruz Mountain Biking | Flow Trail Crash
10:47 | 133 | comments: 0 | favs:
Feb 1, 2022

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Flow Trail 1
Jul 4, 2022 @ 7:58pm
1 day
Ridge Trail
Jul 3, 2022 @ 10:09am
3 days
Flow Trail 6
Jun 25, 2022 @ 8:05am
Jun 25, 2022
Flow Trail 5
Jun 25, 2022 @ 8:05am
Jun 25, 2022
Flow Trail 4
Jun 25, 2022 @ 8:05am
Jun 25, 2022
more reports »
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