Best Places to Jog in Los Gatos

: If you're looking for a place to do your long runs, or some "long-slow-distance" work, this is the place. The trail, which is mostly paved, is about 10 miles long or 16 kilometers, perfect for marathon training. Some sections are not paved, such as those leading up to Lexington Dam.

 For shorter and faster "pedal-to-the-metal" distances, the new paved path at Oak Meadow Park—the gem of Los Gatos parks—is the spot for your workout. This 12-acre recreation hub gives you access to the Los Gatos Creek Trail and Vasona County Park for more exercise, if desired.

For those doing speed work, this is the perfect location. You can monitor your progress on a nice, cushiony 400-meter track that's perfect for timed lap repeaters, distance pyramids, sprints and fartleks. Just remember to move to the right lanes while warming up or cooling down. Faster runners use the inside lanes.

HEINTZ OPEN SPACE TRAIL: For the super brave who like hills and dirt and getting grungy and sweaty, this is your destination. There are some easy short trails that begin at Regent Drive and connect to the Santa Rosa Open Space Preserve, but there are also some difficult longer trails that will require hiking abilities. This trail is maintained by the Town of Los Gatos so you're in for an amazing treat. 

ST. JOSEPH'S HILL: Accessed through the Los Gatos Creek Trail, Jones Trail and Novitiate Park, a portion of this gorgeous open space follows the historic alignment of Jones Road, which was used in the last century by stagecoaches and pack teams. This was an important route, bringing people, supplies, and equipment over the precipitous St. Joseph's Hill and then down into Los Gatos. The area offers challenging trails for anyone interested in improving their speed and strength, and most important of all, their endurance.