Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains at the Skyline Ridge Trail Run and Hike on March 7, 2026, in La Honda, CA. This event offers three challenging yet immensely rewarding distances: a 50K for dedicated runners, and 21K and 10K options that welcome both runners and hikers. Starting and finishing at the scenic Skyline Open Space Preserve, participants will traverse moist evergreen forests, majestic oak-madrone woodlands, and expansive grasslands. The routes promise stunning coastal mountain views, with the 50K course even offering glimpses of the Pacific Ocean on clear days, alongside spectacular panoramas of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

The terrain is a diverse mix of narrow hiking trails and wider ranch roads, featuring surfaces from soft duff to gravelly and rocky sections. Prepare for gradual elevation gains and losses, including climbs to the Black Mountain Summit for the 10K, and comprehensive climbs for the 50K through Skyline Ridge, Russian Ridge, and Monte Bello Open Space Preserves, plus an additional county park. While exposed ridgetops can bring fog and wind, south and west-facing slopes provide intermittent shade. Aid stations are strategically placed along the courses, offering water, Tailwind, fresh fruits, PBJ, soda, and gels, with the 50K course benefiting from an additional water faucet near the Black Mountain campsite. Finishers will be greeted with an elaborate aid station featuring hot food.

Beyond the personal challenge and breathtaking scenery, your participation holds a deeper meaning. The Skyline Ridge Trail Run and Hike is proudly organized as a fundraiser for the Bay Area Ridge Trail, with 100% of your entry fees directly supporting their mission to connect people, parks, and open spaces through a continuous trail system around San Francisco Bay. Typical race day conditions in early March offer pleasant highs around 64°F and lows near 46°F, with only a 10% chance of precipitation, providing ideal weather for a memorable day on the trails.