Great Walks: Putting Your Best Foot Forward
Amazing Short Walks to Enjoy in South County and Beyond!
by Debbi Sanchez
Spring is here and the time is right for walking all over South County! From easy, flat, paved paths to mountainous, unpaved, and more challenging trails, there ' s something out there for every kind of walker. Whether you prefer literally stopping to smell the flowers or keeping your eyes fixed on the summit ahead and the valley views below, there ' s a walk that ' s just right for you.
Mike and I love to get out and get our steps in, but there ' s a bigger picture driving us. A plethora of research shows that walking just 30 minutes a day delivers real physical benefits: boosted circulation, improved heart health, weight management, stronger joints and bones, and better blood sugar and immunity. The mental health case is just as compelling— walking improves mood, relieves anxiety, reduces stress, and sharpens memory and focus.
But honestly? The best reason we walk is for each other. Sometimes we chat the whole way, sometimes we don ' t say much at all, and sometimes we’ re breathing too hard to manage either. We hold hands about ninety percent of the time. We discovered early on that we needed to steady each other over uneven ground, watching for the ubiquitous raised sidewalk edges that get you every time. It started as a safety thing and is now one of our favorite things about walking. It’ s also just how we move through life. Add our 2.5-lb Yorkie, Roast Beef, to the mix and we spend a good portion of every walk laughing. She takes her steps very seriously. We take the joy of it even more seriously.
Some of Our Favorite Routes
Uvas Creek Levee: Accessible from Christmas Hill Park / Miller Ave, Hecker Pass, or the Sports Park. A flat, scenic trail along the creek that works beautifully for all fitness levels and all seasons. You can easily and safely venture off to explore short trails and moderate hills in Christmas Hill Park and along the Gavilan trail.
Gilroy’ s Northwest quadrant: Mantelli drive is a serious uphill climb on a paved street, perfect for when you’ re ready to challenge yourself. Walkers are on the hill morning, noon and night, so you’ re never alone. From the top of Mantelli, you can take Banyon to come back over the hill on the Tea Tree Way / Carriage Hills Park side— a steady downhill, or head west into the Day Valley along Country Drive and loop back around on Sunflower Circle.
Mount Madonna County Park: It’ s magical. All of it. Redwoods, hills, trails, and wildlife that wanders by when you least expect it. To date we have hiked every trail in the park multiple times. One of South County ' s genuine treasures, and one of our favorite spots.
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