Hiking

A rainbow is visible from the lookout at the top of the hiking trail. The beautiful forests surrounding Montalvo. The hiking trails. Hiking trails Foliage along the hiking trails. A young tree growing alongside the hiking trails View of the tops of the trees from the hiking trails Montalvo's hiking trails Montalvo's hiking trails Flowers Blooming on the Hiking Trails

Poison Oak:

Montalvo consistently works to remove poison oak from the grounds; however there is always a chance of contact. Visitors should be aware of what poison oak looks like to help avoid accidental contact.

What does poison oak look like?

  • Each leaf has 3 small leaflets.
  • It most often grows as a shrub.
  • It may have yellow-white berries.

If contact does occur please follow these procedures:

  • Rinse the skin immediately with lukewarm, soapy water.
  • Wash all clothing and items that may have come in contact with the plant.
  • Apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to the area of contact.
  • Avoid scratching.

How to protect yourself from contact with poison oak:

  • Wear long pants, long sleeves, boots and gloves.
  • If you do not have boots, tuck the legs of your pants into your socks.
Have time to spare? Click here to learn how you can volunteer your time and talent to Montalvo!

Stay connected: Enter your email address to begin receiving Montalvo's weekly e-newsletters!

Montalvo is nestled in the beautiful foothills above Saratoga with 175 acres of hiking trails and gardens.

You can download a guide to Montalvo with a map of all trails. (PDF Document)

Our public park welcomes thousands of visitors every year to its woodland hiking trails and beautiful grounds. Parking is free and the grounds are open to the public - enjoy a light picnic on the front lawn, read a book under one of many beautiful trees or hike the trails. (Note: the only time Montalvo is not open to the public is during private villa and grounds rentals.)

The Santa Clara County Parks can be contacted directly by calling 408-356-2729. Visit www.parkhere.org for more information about this and other County Parks.

For quarterly emails with news about our trails, park closures, and other matters that may impact your hike, join our Hiker Hub newsletter list!