This trail is envisioned for future development and is not open to the public.

Location

The project follows a former railway alignment that travels through eastern downtown, generally between Story Road (at Story Road Landfill) and Highway 101.

Description

The City is working cooperatively with the VTA and developers to convert a former railway alignment into a bicycle/pedestrian corridor that traverses the neighborhood.

Once developed, the trail would link Berryessa BART, Lower Silver Creek Trail and Coyote Creek Trail.

December 2025 Update

2026: Based on community feedback and support to leave the trestle in place, the City will separate the project into distinct trail segments. The upcoming Master Plan will address the segment to connect Selma Olinder to the upcoming 28th Street/Little Portugal BART Station. 

2025 – 2027 Master Plan and Environmental Impact Report:
The Five Wounds Trail is a proposed public trail facility the City of San José is planning for the Five Wounds neighborhood east of downtown. Named for the landmark Five Wounds Portuguese National Church located centrally along the trail, the future trail will be approximately 2-miles in length and will generally follow the alignment of the former Western Pacific Railroad right-of-way (ROW). The Five Wounds Trail is planned as a Class 1 facility: a paved asphalt surface that is intended for recreational activities, such as walking, jogging, cycling, or skating, and commuting. The scope for the Master Plan & Environmental Impact Report includes trail alignment, bridge/trestle alternative, environmental clearance, geotechnical & drainage analysis, and cost estimate for proposed improvements. Meetings and material will be posted as they are available.

Additional Context:

• 2020: the City was awarded a $83,000 grant through State Coastal Conservancy to begin feasibility study on one-mile City-owned segment of the trail. The City added funding of $167,000 to complete the feasibility study in 2022.
• 2023: the City hired an independent engineering consultant to produce a Bridge Type Selection, Trestle Evaluation, Trestle Historic Resource Evaluation, Trestle Secretary of the Interior Standards to guide the City’s decision on the Coyote Creek crossing and existing trestle. The reports were published in 2023.
• 2024 and 2025: the City, through an RFP process, awarded a $890,000 contract to BKF Engineers to conduct a Master Plan and Environmental Impact Report for 1.6-miles of trail. Completing the Master Plan will allow the City to apply for State and Federal grants for design and construction.

Distance

2.17 miles (11,445') estimated.

Map

• Five Wounds Trail Map

Planning Documents

The community has worked with San José State University to develop a Community Concept Plan for the trail alignment. 

• Five Wounds Trail Feasibility Study (Story Road to Whitton Avenue)

Reports

• Bridge Type Selection
• Trestle Evaluation
• Trestle Historic Resource Evaluation
• Trestle Secretary of the Interior Standards
• Summary of information on the Coyote Creek Trestle

Designation

This project is not part of a regional, state, or nationally-recognized trail system.