Details
Features
About this place
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.
Leave No Trace
