Land of Medicine Buddha

Let's revisit Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel, one of our favorite hikes.

NOTE! The map pin is for a church parking lot. We all carpool from there.

Difficulty: moderate
Distance: 6 miles
Max Climb: 600 feet over 1.5 miles, total elevation gain close to 1000.
Hike Description: We park in Land of Medicine Buddha, then walk down the road to the trail entrance and go clockwise on the trail, ending at a meditation walk, a stupa and a temple.
Be warned: there is a stretch of the trail where there may be a lot of poison oak, however recently (Sept 2026) it was very clear.

Cost: Land of Medicine Buddha asks $20 per car - they deserve the money. Donation at the gift shop at the end or perhaps when we first enter.

Driving Directions: should take less than 45 minutes from Los Gatos.
Due to restricted parking at LMB, we meet at the church parking lot at Main St. and Parrish Lane in the village of Soquel and carpool from there: https://goo.gl/maps/NGkFT2M9YGdfiX7p9.

From the church: 0.7 mile north on Main St. right turn onto Glen Haven Rd. 0.4 mile then slight right onto Prescott Rd. There is a bridge just before LMB entrance, turn left and drive up hill to parking lot.

DISCLAIMER: South Bay Ramblers Hiking Meetup Group assumes ABSOLUTELY NO responsibility, including but not limited to injury or loss of any kind/form due to the use of information, or participating in activities found on this group/site. Please keep in mind that YOU ALWAYS HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK and that YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY. If you are not sure about the nature of a specific hike, contact the hike leader via the private message feature on this website. By becoming a member of the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Meetup Group and when you RSVP for this hike you are confirming your agreement to the rules and responsibilities of this group located here: https://www.meetup.com/SouthBayRamblersHikingGroup/