Merry-Go-Round Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This route makes for a great four-mile loop in Mount Madonna Park, allowing runners to take in some of the highlights of the park.

From the Sprig Lake entrance trailhead, go through the horse trailer parking area to get to the start of the trail. Stay to the right at the split to start your run on the Merry-Go-Round Trail for a total of 1.5 miles of a steady and sometimes steep climb. The going will be well-worthwhile as you'll be shaded by towering trees.

Turn left on Tie Camp Trail and go 1.1 miles. This part of the trail goes through a really beautiful section of redwoods. Take in the shade and the beautiful views. Finally, turn left on the Ridge Trail and go 0.6 of a mile.

This trail is a fairly nondescript descent and is more of a connector than a destination trail. This will join the Merry-Go-Round Trail where you go 0.2 miles to get back to the trailhead.