State 35, also known as Skyline Boulevard, is a hiker's ticket to paradise— a scenic highway providing access to dozens of trails in multiple parks and preserves. Many are part of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD), which celebrates its 30th birthday this year. Join the party — take a hike.

In our list below, all distances are round trip unless otherwise noted. Some trailheads are not obvious from the road; follow driving directions carefully. For all of the hikes listed, parking is available at or near the trailhead. With just two exceptions (noted), access is free. Any Open Space Preserve (O.S.P.) is part of the MROSD.

Trails are generally clearly marked, and maps are stocked at many (but not all) of these trailheads. It's a good idea to call in advance to request maps from the agencies that administer these hikes. Pick up maps in person, call to request them, or download them from the Web.

Flowers along the Ancient Oaks Trail

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (330 Distel Circle, Los Altos; www.openspace.org or 650/ 691-1200) publishes free maps covering many of these hikes. Since not all of these hikes fall under the jurisdiction of the MROSD, here are some additional resources.

Hikes 1–27: Trail Map of the Central Peninsula and Trail Map of the Southern Peninsula are published by the nonprofit Trail Center of Palo Alto and distributed by Wilderness Press (Berkeley; www.wildernesspress.com or 800/443-7227; $6.95 each).

Hikes 26, 31, 34, 35, and part of hike 27: Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation (www.parkhere.org or 408/355-2200).

Hikes 28, 29, 30, 32, 33: Castle Rock State Park (15000 Skyline Blvd., Los Gatos; 408/867-2952; map $1).

Minot/Hershman Studio

1. Whittemore Gulch Trail and Harkins Ridge Trail

2. Redwood Trail

3. Purisima Creek Trail, Harkins Ridge Trail, and Soda Gulch Trail

4. Huddart Park loop

5. Phleger Estate trails

6. Tafoni Trail

7. Methuselah Tree

8. Gordon Mill Trail and Lawrence Creek Trail

9. Sierra Morena Trail, Skyline Trail, and Alambique Trail

10. La Honda Creek trails

11. Spring Ridge Trail and Hamms Gulch Trail

12. Anniversary Trail

13. Lost Trail, Razorback Ridge Trail, Eagle Trail, and Hamms Gulch Trail

14. Crazy Pete's Road and Valley View Trail

15. Clouds Rest Trail and Meadow Trail

16. Bay Area Ridge Trail, Hawk Trail, and Mindego Ridge Trail

17. Borel Hill Trail and Ancient Oaks Trail

18. Old Page Mill Trail

19. Stevens Creek Nature Trail and Canyon Trail

20. Black Mountain summit

21. San Andreas Fault Trail

22. Franciscan Trail and Lost Creek Trail

23. Horseshoe Lake loop

24. Ridge Trail to Alpine Pond

25. Peters Creek Loop Trail and Long Ridge Road

26. Grizzly Flat Trail

27. Saratoga Gap Trail, Charcoal Road, and Alternate Trail

28. Saratoga Toll Road, Travertine Springs Trail, and Saratoga Gap Trail

29. Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail

30. Summit Meadows Trail and Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail

31. Summit Rock loop

32. Castle Rock

33. Saratoga Gap Trail and Ridge Trail

34. Indian Rock

35. Skyline Trail and Sanborn Trail