Fremont Older Open Space Preserve

Fremont Older sits on what Midpen calls the urban fringe, where the subdivisions of Cupertino and Saratoga meet the first ridges of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, known as Midpen, manages 739 acres here. The preserve reaches toward Mount Eden Road in the south and Stevens Creek County Park in the west. Hayfields, fruit trees and oak-covered trails tell the story of the farms that came before.

For Palo Alto hikers it is a good choice when Skyline is fogged in. It is close to the freeway, the climbs are short and the views stretch across the Santa Clara Valley. It also stands out among Midpen preserves for dogs: they are allowed on every trail. This guide covers parking, the loops, the rules and the history of a famous newspaper editor's country home.

Getting there and parking

From Palo Alto, take Interstate 280 south to Highway 85 and continue south toward Saratoga. Midpen's directions start from the De Anza Boulevard exit on Highway 85:

1. Exit at De Anza Boulevard. From northbound 85 turn left; from southbound 85 turn right.
2. Drive about 0.5 mile on De Anza toward the hills and turn right on Prospect Road.
3. At the first stop sign, turn left and cross the railroad tracks to stay on Prospect Road.
4. Follow Prospect Road for 1.3 miles, turning left after the Saratoga Country Club, to the preserve lot.

The Prospect lot is small and sits at the end of a residential road. Arrive early on weekends and do not park in the neighborhood if signs prohibit it. Midpen does not list a fee for its own lots. If you start from Stevens Creek County Park, expect Santa Clara County's vehicle entry fee in its main lots. The preserve opens half an hour before sunrise and closes half an hour after sunset.

Trails

Midpen's biking page counts 11 miles of multiuse trail through woodland, chaparral, rolling hayfields and former orchard. Download the official map before you go, since junctions come quickly.

Seven Springs Loop and Hunters Point

This is the classic first hike. Midpen describes a 2.5-mile loop through open hayfields and along oak-covered trails. Climb the Cora Older Trail to the Seven Springs and Woodhills Loop trails, where the exposed hilltop of Hunters Point gives sweeping views of the Santa Clara Valley. Return along the Hayfield Trail. Midpen puts Hunters Point at 900 feet.

Maisie's Peak

The highest point in the preserve is named for Maisie Garrod. Midpen's route starts at the Prospect Road lot and follows the Cora Older Trail to the Seven Springs Loop Trail, then the Hayfield Trail and finally the Coyote Ridge Trail. From the top the views sweep across the valley. Midpen does not publish a distance for this route, so check the map.

Into Stevens Creek County Park

Fremont Older's trails connect west into Stevens Creek County Park, which the county says has more than nine miles of single-track and multiuse trail. From there, trails continue to Picchetti Ranch Preserve on Montebello Road. Rules change at each boundary, especially for dogs and bikes, so carry both maps.

Bringing a dog

Midpen lists Fremont Older among its 11 dog-friendly preserves, with dogs allowed on all trails. Its map puts it the same way: dogs on leash are permitted on Fremont Older trails. The rules:

• Use a leash of 6 feet or less. Self-retracting leashes may extend to 25 feet but must be locked at 6 feet near other visitors.
• No more than three dogs per person.
• Keep dogs out of streams and ponds. Water areas are closed to dogs on all Midpen land.
• Bag the waste. The Prospect lot is one of four Midpen parking areas with dog waste bins in a pilot program, along with Pulgas Ridge, Lower Windy Hill and Thornewood.

The hayfield trails have little shade. Midpen warns that dogs overheat easily, so carry water for them and skip midday hikes in summer. If you cross into the county park or Picchetti Ranch, check the rules there first: Picchetti does not allow dogs. Our dog-friendly places guide and traveling with pets page have more ideas.

Bikes, horses and other rules

• Bikes: designated trails only, marked on the map. Helmets are required. The speed limit is 15 mph, or 5 mph when passing or on blind turns. E-bikes are not allowed on most Midpen trails. Midpen calls the preserve close enough for a quick ride after work.
• Horses: designated trails only. Helmets are recommended. Hikers and cyclists yield to riders.
• Wet weather: Midpen says the Wedding Trail and Upper Toyon Trail may close to bikes and horses in wet conditions. Its map notes seasonal closures on Toyon Trail segments. Both were listed as open at the time of writing.
• Also prohibited: drones and model aircraft, fires, smoking, swimming or wading and weapons.

Seasons and events

Winter and spring are the best months. The hayfields turn green after the first rains and wildflowers follow; see our wildflowers guide. Wet weather can close some trails to bikes and horses. Summer is hot on the open hilltops, so go early. Fall brings dry grass and fire season.

Midpen's calendar lists Tails and Twilight Trails outings at Fremont Older on two dates: December 13, 2026 and February 21, 2027. Check the listings for details and sign-up rules. Our nature programs guide covers other guided walks.

Safety

Carry water: Midpen recommends two quarts per person for every two hours. The open trails get hot. Cell service is sporadic on the preserves. Call 911 in an emergency and 650-691-1200 for other problems.

• Heat: start early in summer and watch dogs for heavy panting or weakness.
• Mountain lions are a natural part of the region. Do not run. Keep children and pets close, face the lion, stand tall, make noise and back away. Report sightings to 650-691-2165.
• Ticks are present and may carry disease. Check people and pets after the hike.
• Poison oak grows on most preserves.
• Rattlesnakes are especially active in warm weather.
• Coyotes are occasionally seen. Keep dogs leashed and close.

History

Midpen says Maisie Garrod and her brother R.V. Garrod bought part of this land in 1910 and used it for pasture, orchards and hay. The remaining hayfields and fruit trees are from that era.

The preserve takes its name from Fremont Older, a noted San Francisco newspaper editor. With his wife Cora he owned part of the land for 60 years. Their home, Woodhills, became a gathering place for well-known figures of the day. When Midpen bought the property in 1975, the house was scheduled for demolition. Local newspaper publishers Mort and Elaine Levine wanted to save it. The board approved a long-term lease under which they paid for the restoration, completed in 1979. Woodhills is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Levine family still lives there, so the house and garden are closed to the public. For more Midpen hikes near the valley, see our Rancho San Antonio guide.

Frequently asked questions