There’s something irresistible about a tree-lined hike that follows a creek or stream. The air turns cooler, the shade deepens, and the forest settles into a quieter rhythm. Ferns unfurl beside the trail. Moss softens rough bark and fallen mushroom-covered logs. Water slips steadily over stones.
It’s no accident that these serene creekside forests endure today. Decades of conservationists have protected and stewarded local lands so trees, wildlife, and people alike can continue to find refuge along these flowing waterways.
Whether I’m hiking with a generous donor who has chosen to leave POST a legacy gift in their will or catching up with a friend on the trail, I always pause for a moment. It’s such a pleasure to breathe in the earthy scent of damp soil and feel sunlight filtering through the canopy. The hikes below are perfect for anyone searching for lush landscapes or a peaceful place to slow down and take it all in.
Our Four Favorite Hikes
Henry Cowell Redwoods
Felton
This 2-mile out-and-back hike traces the San Lorenzo River through cool, fern-lined forest and vibrant riparian habitat. With gentle terrain and steady shade, it’s an ideal option for a peaceful, slow-paced walk alongside the water.
Water Feature:
The San Lorenzo River flows alongside the trail, lined with dense vegetation that keeps the path cool and shaded.
Forest Type:
Old- and second-growth coast redwood forest blends into a rich riparian ecosystem, with alder, sycamore, and willow lining the riverbanks.
Shade Factor:
Heavily shaded beneath dense redwood canopy, with dappled sunlight filtering through near the river’s edge.
Understory Mood:
Soft and tranquil. Ferns unfurl beside the trail while moss and redwood sorrel soften the forest floor.
Species to Watch For:
Great blue heron, belted kingfisher, steelhead trout, Steller’s jays, banana slugs, and Pacific wrens.
Purisima Creek and Whittlemore Gulch
Half Moon Bay
This 9-mile loop winds through towering redwoods and alongside tranquil Purisima Creek before climbing to exposed ridgelines. Catch glimpses of the Pacific on the way up, then descend into the cool, fern-lined canyon of Whittlemore Gulch.
Water Feature:
Purisima Creek flows alongside the lower trail, especially lively during the rainy season and into spring.
Forest Type:
Second-growth coast redwood forest transitions into mixed evergreen forest on the ridges.
Shade Factor:
Mostly shaded along the creek, with more open-sky exposure on the ridgelines — a refreshing balance of cool forest and coastal sun.
Understory Mood:
Lush and layered. Think ferns, moss-covered logs, redwood sorrel carpeting the forest floor, and seasonal mushrooms after rains.
Species to Watch For:
Banana slugs, western maidenhair fern, rough-skinned newts, and evergreen huckleberry.
Forest of Nisene Marks – Maple Falls Trail
Aptos
This rewarding 7.7-mile loop meanders through towering redwoods and clear, cool creeks. As you follow the trail up rugged canyons and side streams, you’ll weave between deep forest shade and bright, fern-lined creek sections before arriving at a brilliant waterfall.
Water Feature:
The most dramatic destination is Maple Falls, which you’ll reach after a few creekside miles.
Forest Type:
Second-growth coast redwood forest dominates the canyon, with pockets of mixed evergreen on steeper slopes.
Shade Factor:
Verdant and cool in the canyon bottoms, with dense canopy cover beneath the redwoods and occasional sun breaks.
Understory Mood:
The moist and layered forest features moss-covered logs, riparian plants, and springtime wildflowers.
Species to Watch For:
Ensatina salamanders, Pacific hound’s tongue, Pacific wrens, and orange bush monkeyflower.
Butano State Park – Little Butano Creek Trail
Pescadero
This 2.6-mile route traces a quiet redwood canyon where water and forest life entwine. This gentle climb feels immersive and serene, with towering trees overhead and the creek babbling nearby.
Water Feature:
Little Butano Creek runs alongside much of the trail, flowing strongest after winter rains.
Forest Type:
In addition to redwoods and oaks, this trail features an alder woodland. Commonly found in riparian zones, alders stabilize riverbanks, enhance soil fertility, and provide habitat for myriad wildlife.
Shade Factor:
Heavily shaded for most of the route.
Understory Mood:
Fern-filled and vibrant, with moss-covered trunks, redwood sorrel, and seasonal mushrooms.
Species to Watch For:
Western starflower, California newt, Douglas iris, and song sparrow.
WHY FORESTS & FLOW GO TOGETHER
There’s a reason these places feel so alive. Streams and creeks create what scientists call riparian corridors. These lush ribbons of habitat support diverse plants and wildlife with their water, shade, and fertile soil. Moving water carries seeds downstream, helping new plants to take root. Meanwhile, the cool, humid microclimates along creek beds helps moisture-loving species like redwoods, ferns, and wood sorrel to thrive.
Local critters feel the water’s pull too. These corridors act like nature’s highways where animals migrate to seek food, shelter, and water. And, of course, humans have always followed a similar logic, settling and traveling where water flows. Today, when we hike these forested waterways, we’re stepping into landscapes shaped by that enduring relationship between woods and water.
GET EXPLORING!
The next time you lace up your hiking boots, consider choosing a trail that follows the water. Creekside forests offer some of the Peninsula’s most lush and peaceful hiking experiences, where cool shade, flowing streams and vibrant wildlife create a landscape that feels both calming and alive. Sometimes the best way to enjoy the forest is simply to follow the flow.
Featured
About Post
Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all. Since its founding in 1977, POST has been responsible for saving more than 97,000 acres as permanently protected land in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. Learn more
