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Land of Medicine Buddha Loop

Soquel, California

4.5/5
based on 4 reviews

Details

Distance

5.74 miles

Elevation Gain

915 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Caitlin Losi

The 'Enchanted Forest" loop at the Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel, an environmentally conscious meditation and retreat center, has a series of sacred terraces including prayer wheels, chimes and a gong.

Near the retreat, there is a short trail called "Eight Verses Pilgrimage Trail" providing people with the opportunity to meditate on thought transformation in a peaceful and picturesque outdoor setting. From there, a beautiful 6 mile loop will take you up to the top of the ridge and then back around to parking. There is also a more accessible two mile and half mile loop. 

As you walk up the driveway to LMB from the wooden bridge, enter a wide, unmarked path on your left. It begins in climbing ivy and follows a deeply-trenched, shallow stream for the first mile. A mile in, cross over the creek and begin a short, undulating climb. A mile from the creek crossing (about an hour into the hike), an unmarked trail on the left slips into Nisene Marks State Park via the West Ridge Trail. Keep right to continue along the loop.

At the next intersection, a mile farther, stay right again. Four miles into the hike, you’ll reach a third split marked with a more vivid set of prayer flags. Turn left here to enter the Enchanted Forest.

The Land of the Medicine Buddha trails are open every day from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and the bookstore / reception office is open every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Dogs are permitted but must be on-leash at all times while on the property and trails. 

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Features

Hiking
Bathrooms
Easy Parking
Forest
Scenic

Land of Medicine Buddha Loop Reviews

What a wonderful spot with a tranquil trail to follow through the forest. Definitely many forks, so it's difficult to be certain that you're on the right one. Only downside was the others on the trail who were speaking very loudly... I imagine this gets busy on the weekends.

The resort/trail head wasn't hard to get to; we got there early enough that we could park quite close but if you get there later you might have to do a bit of driving around to find a parking place. The trails were nice and we found lots of things to climb on. Some of it was flat but there are a lot of inclines and declines. Also, bring a trail map! Or at least make sure you know where you're going; we took a wrong turn thinking it would go back to where we'd been before and instead ended up at a different fork that went somewhere completely different.

There's multiple trails to choose from that are super easy and they are connected to the main retreat center. Lots of main features around the trail that are great picturesque spots for the typical social Media person 8 verses of thought transformation is a very short loop that provides a talking foundation to indirectly get insight of another person and how they perceive the world. I took a date here and it was very insightful. WARNING! Beginning April, 1, 2016 Due to the increased popularity they have changed their hours that are open to the public as it is a retreat center. Saturday : closed to the public all day Sunday : closed to the public until noon

There are multiple trails available, and each offers some great easy hiking with some areas that are great for some quiet reflection. The site is very weathered, though great care is put into the main features.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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