Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge

99 miles with 10,600 feet of climbing
(Route has changed)
Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge • Route Profile
Route Profile

Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge • Climbs

Cat. 2: Mile 41
Cat. 3: Mile 2, 13, 27, and 71
Cat. 4: Mile 9, 35, 55, 58, 69, 88, and 94

Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge • Description

The Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge is a great event leading over ridgetops and through the redwood forest of Santa Cruz County. In addition to a challenging century, a metric and double metric century route is available. The century route consists of a big, counter-clockwise loop connected to a smaller, clockwise loop.
The ride starts in Scotts Valley, located in the coastal mountains between San Jose and Santa Cruz. After a short warm-up on Glenwood Drive, climbing begins in earnest on Mount Charlie Road. Then Summit Road, Bear Creek Road, and Skyline Boulevard lead along a ridge, before Big Basin Way drops down into stunning Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Next Jamison Creek Road, a timed hillclimb, heads up steep switchbacks to Empire Grade, before Pine Flat Road and Bonny Doon Road drop down again. Martin Road leads up to Ice Cream Grade and Felton Empire Road down into Felton. Then Zayante Road climbs back to Summit Road, completing the first loop.
After following the ridge on Summit Road and Old Summit Road, Soquel San Jose Road descends, and Laurel Glen Road, Mountain View Road, and Branciforte Drive continue on. Finally Granite Creek Road ascends to Scotts Valley, completing the second loop and century route.

Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge • Interactive Map

Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge • Pictures

Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge • Skyline Boulevard
Skyline Boulevard
Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge • Big Basin Redwoods
Big Basin Redwoods
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See Also: Gran Fondos & Centuries and Super Centuries