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Cycling Mt. Madonna
Ride Four miles gaining 1,638’ at 7.6% average grade.
Mt. Madonna is a must-do climb if you are in the Santa Cruz area with a bike. The road is remote, narrow, has views of Watsonville far below, and redwood groves near the top of the climb. We highly recommend this bike climb.
Redwoods border the road along the last mile of the climb.
Never unbearably steep -- the steepest quarter mile is 13%.
Climb summary by Mike Persellin, Minneapolis, MN, USA:
Mt. Madonna is one of the last spurs of the Santa Cruz Mountains as they peter out into the agricultural lands north of Corralitos. The climb starts innocuously enough, but a right turn at just under two miles changes everything. From there, it’s 2.1 miles of steady double-digits until it eases up a half-mile from the finish at the county park. There are minute plateaus where you can catch your breath. Be sure to take a right at the stop sign on Summit and ride the short distance to the highest elevation at the park.
This 4,605 acre park is one of few in the county that permits dogs in the campgrounds.
Roadway Surface and Traffic Report: The road is narrow and there is very occasional traffic. The pavement is not the best and the descent is steep, so be careful coming down.
That’s a wrap!!