The park is one of the more isolated parks in the South Bay, and is relatively quiet. In the few times I've been there, I've been surprised how few people I see. The historical sites are interesting, and you will get nice views of the Santa Clara valley and the surrounding mountains.
Bikes are basically restricted to fire roads in the park. This is not as bad as you might think, because there are only a few miles of singletrack, and they're so overgrown that they're not even that fun to hike (I speak from experience here). Be careful of the official map, as it is a bit "off" in my opinion. Some of the landmarks are on the opposite side of the trail from what the map shows... Most of the climbs are very well graded and not really that hard, although they can be fairly long. They would be difficult if it was hot though, as most of the climbs are exposed. Being fire road, there really isn't much technical challenge at Almaden, except for dodging deer and trying not to slide out on the loose corners.
This is a good place to go if you want a nice mellow ride, or if you want to get in a decent amount of distance in a short time period.
At 1.2 miles, you reach the top of the climb at Capehorn Pass. There is a picnic table here if you want to stop and have a snack or just take in the nice views to the Northeast. When you're ready to continue, head straight across the pass and begin downhill (to the West) on Randoll Trail (another fire road). Randoll remains more or less flat as it contours around the mountain, and you can make good time. After 0.5 miles, you will reach the Day Tunnel site. You could stop for a break here if you want, but the tunnel is not visible. Continue on, enjoying nice views of the valley to the North.
In another 0.6 miles, you will reach a fork. Continue to the left, now on Santa Isabel trail - still a fire road (the fork to the right is Randoll, and is off-limits to bikes). The trail soon makes a short climb, and then levels out again as it continues following the contour. You will rejoin Randoll trail (make sure you take the turn to the left) in 0.4 miles. After another 1.4 miles of rolling trail, you will reach Prospect Trail #3, which you won't even notice unless you're looking for it. Prospect #3 is off-limits to bikes, so continue on Randoll. The trail soon begins dropping, and after 1.6 miles, you will come to a T-intersection with Mine Hill trail.
Turn left (uphill) on Mine Hill trail. As you begin another climb, you can look down to your right and see Guadalupe Reservoir (off-limits to swimming). Up and to your right is Mt. Umunhum. The trail again is well graded, and the climb, though long, is not as bad as it looks. After 1.4 miles and 500 vertical feet, the trail finally flattens out. The flat area doesn't last long though, as the trail again begins climbing.
In another 0.8 miles, the trail finally flattens again at a 3-way intersection known as Bull Run. There are picnic tables here if you want to rest and enjoy the scenery. Continue straight (flat) on what is now Castillero trail (the fork to the left - downhill - is Mine Hill trail, which would be a shortcut back to the car...however, it was closed when I biked here). Castillero climbs a bit more and soon reaches the ride's high point at about 1600 feet. A gentle downhill takes you down to Mine Hill, where you can see an old furnace.
Just above the old Mine Hill structure, take the fork to the left, downhill (still Castillero trail). The trail drops quickly for 0.4 miles, and then meets up with the old town site of English Camp. If you're in the mood for some history, drop down to the site and look around. If not (or when you're done), take the fork to the left as you drop another 0.1 miles to rejoin Mine Hill trail.
Continue right (downhill) on Mine Hill trail as it drops quickly another 0.9 miles to Capehorn Pass. From here, retrace the route you took at the start of your ride 1.2 miles downhill back to the parking area.
From here, enjoy a nice 2 mile descent to Randoll Trail, and then head back toward Capehorn Pass. The first few climbs on Randoll aren't too bad, and once you pass the 7.25 mile mark, you're basically done climbing for the ride. There are a couple big-ring rollers (one of which has a steep crown which requires a quick downshift to your middle ring), but nothing serious, so the ride back to Capehorn goes by pretty fast. Then it's a quick 1.2 miles to the car.
I personally thought the loop was a bit more fun in this alternate direction, but I wrote it up the other way first since that's how I first rode it...
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