The 20 Best Hiking Trails in San Francisco
If you enjoy hiking and being one with nature, the city of San Francisco has a lot to offer when it comes to hiking trails. The city is nestled in an area that is surrounded by mountains and beautiful rolling hills and even the Bay Area offers an array of hiking trails and parks with beautiful, scenic views.
According to Trail Link, there are over 107 trails that cover 774 miles of beautiful landscape for you to explore. Read on for a detailed list of 20 of the best places to hike in the San Francisco area.
20 Hiking Trails San Francisco
1. Twin Peaks
A great hiking experience for all skill levels and ages, Twin Peaks offers amazing panoramic views of San Francisco along with the Bay Area. If you hike on a clear day, you will be able to see Alcatraz, the downtown area of San Francisco, and even the Golden Gate Bridge.
This trail is located in the Twin Peaks Nature Area and you will be able to spot tons of native wildlife in beautiful trees and plants along your hike. If you want to avoid crowds, it is best to hike the Twin Peaks trail at sunrise. Twin Peaks is considered to be an easy trail that is 2.1 miles long.
2. Mount Davidson Park
If you have been seeking out an urban hike, Mount Davidson Park is the one you want to hike. This loop trail comes highly recommended by people who live in the San Francisco area. This trail will lead you through San Francisco’s natural rainforest areas and is located at the highest point in the area.
You will be able to have amazing views of the city in the Bay Area while winding your way through eucalyptus trees and plenty of wildflowers. This is a great trail for the entire family since it is considered to be an easy one and it is one and a half miles long.
3. Land’s End Trail
If you are looking for a moderate skill-level trail that will provide you with a wild hike in the Bay Area, Land’s End trail is the one to visit. There are abandoned structures, such as Sutro baths and shipwrecks along the rocky shorelines as you wind your way into a serene natural environment that tends to be a little rugged.
You will have great views of the Bay from the trail as well as the shoreline, but be sure to wear a very good pair of shoes so the trail will not become too difficult for you to navigate. According to Urban Outdoors, this 3.5-mile trail is very hilly and rocky in places.
4. Angel Island
Once the point of entry for people coming into the United States through customs, Angel Island is now a gorgeous park situated in the middle of the San Francisco Bay. If you hike this 4.8-mile-long trail on a very clear day, you will be able to see amazing views of San Francisco as well as Marin headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge.
This trail is an easy one that the whole family can enjoy and if you hike around the island’s perimeter road, which is about five miles long, you will get even better breathtaking views. Mount Livermore also offers a great spot to check out the gorgeous surroundings. The best time to visit this beautiful park is on a weekday or very early in the morning since it is one of San Francisco’s major tourist attractions.
5. Golden Gate Bridge and Park
If you are looking for an easy-to-moderate trail, the 3.4-mile long Golden Gate Bridge and Park is the place to head to for a hike. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most well-known landmarks in the United States, but what many people do not know is that there is a pedestrian trail that goes across the bridge.
Along with that trail, there is an entire network of trailers in the area. The trail across the bridge offers an easy to moderate stroll that is 1.7 miles one way. The total length of the trail is 3.4 miles and it is great for walking or trail running.
6. Glen Canyon Park
Located in the heart of San Francisco, Glen Canyon Park boasts a two-mile loop trail that is easy for hikers of all skill levels. This amazing trail offers several beautiful, elevated views of the city as you hike through rocky hills, open meadows, and densely wooded areas that will put you in the mind of being surrounded by nature even though you’re in the city. This trail is 1.9 miles long and is family-friendly as well as dog-friendly.
7. South Headlands Loop
For a moderate trail that is longer, since it comes in at 7.8 miles in length, the South Headlands Loop is one of the most popular hiking trails in San Francisco. It is located in Marin Headlands, which is a scenic park that is located across the area from the Golden Gate Bridge.
This loop is a bit more vigorous and sports a variety of rocky coastline terrain that may be more difficult for some to hike. It is definitely worth it for more experienced hikers since there are plenty of beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge as well as the shoreline and the downtown area of San Francisco.
8. Tennessee Valley
The Tennessee Valley Trail is 3.4 miles long. It is considered to be one of the most scenic trails in the Marin Headlands. It is not only a beautiful trail to tackle, but an easy one as well. You will have access to both seaside trails and amazing views of the Marin Headland’s rocky bluffs.
You start out on the trail in the meadows beneath the headlands. Then you will stroll all the way to the coast so you will have more than enough photo opportunities a beautiful landscape. This is a great hike for the entire family.
9. Tomales Point
This trail isNestled in the Point Reyes National Seashore area. Tomales Point offers 9.4 miles of magnificent scenery on a moderate skill-level trail. This area along the coastline at Point Reyes National Seashore offers plenty of local wildlife.
Including deer and elk, along with colorful wildflowers, especially during the spring time of the year. Some sections of this beautiful park were closed in 2021 due to a wildfire. Check for updated information before you head to this beautiful trail to hike.
10. Nimitz Way Trail at Inspiration Point
Nimitz Way Trail is touted as one of the more challenging trails in the San Francisco area. On one side of the trail you will be able to see gorgeous views of the city, while on the other side you will be able to spot Green Mountains and beautiful lakes that look as if they are very remote and untouched by civilization. This trail is for moderate to vigorous-skill-level hikers and is 5.9 miles long.
11. Alamere Falls Trail
If you want to head out on a longer hike, Alamere Falls Trail is the place you want to be at since it offers 13.8 miles of well-marked paths along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean. As you walk around this moderate-skill level trail, you will be able to spot the Alamere Falls as they flow down from the top of a rocky bluff into the ocean.
There are many hills and lakes surrounding this area, which helps to facilitate a very quiet and serene environment. You will also have access to the beach area when you get near the end of the trail, but be careful because it is a steep entryway and it can be slippery at times.
12. Dipsea Trail (Muir Woods)
For anyone searching for a very challenging trail to hike, the Dipsea Trail in Muir Woods brings the action. It is one of the most highly recommended trails in the San Francisco area for hiking. It is situated near the Muir Woods National Monument area.
The trail begins in the very dense and foggy Redwood Forest and runs all the way to the shore in the Stinson Beach area. This 9.7-mile trail features very steep inclines and descents and provides plenty of challenges and beautiful scenery, even for the most experienced hikers.
13. Berry Creek Loop at Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Are you looking for a longer hiking trail that is flanked by many trees and trail winds to keep you cool? One shaded during your Bay Area hike? The Berry Creek Loop at Big Basin Redwoods State Park is the trail you want.
It is an 11.2-mile-long trail that will take you through the amazing Redwood Forest to a beautiful waterfall. This trail offers some challenges for moderate-level hikers. Both beautiful bridges, scenic wooded trails, and amazing views of the city and nature areas.
14. Mount Diablo Grand Loop
Located in the beloved Mount Diablo State Park, the 6.8-mile-long Mount Diablo Grand Loop is a great trail for moderate-level skill hikers. It features lush, green rolling hills and magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. You can hike through rugged desert-type terrain and blowing grasses.
15. Donner Creek Loop
If you like to be able to enjoy waterfalls while you hike, the Donner Creek Loop may be just the trail for you. It is a moderate-level trail that offers 5.1 miles of some of the most scenic Bay areas with four different waterfalls for you to check out.
You also have plenty of pretty views of the valley down below as well as the surrounding mountain peaks. You’ll be able to cross some smaller streams, so it is recommended that you wear waterproof hiking boots on this trail, especially after a good rainfall.
16. Eagle Peak Loop
For a moderate to difficult level hike that is a bit strenuous but invigorating, the Eagle Peak Loop is a great option. Eagle Peak loop offers 7.6 miles of gorgeous views and a challenging trail within the Mount Diablo State Park area. You will have great views of the Mitchell Canyon.
On very clear days, you will be able to see the Sierra Nevada Mountains as well as bright, beautiful wildflowers. You may need trekking poles on this hike since there are some very steep inclines and descents with loose gravel on them.
17. Batteries to Bluffs Trail
The Batteries to Bluffs trail offers hikers the opportunity to descend down a bluish-green Serpentine hillside. The serpentine hillside connects them to the very peaceful area of Marshall’s Beach. This is nearly a mile of pedestrian walkway along the beautiful shoreline.
Located near the Golden Gate Bridge with plenty of views of the ocean as well as nearby Bluffs. This trail is an easy one that is great for the entire family, and it is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
18. Cataract Falls
Cataract Falls is 3.3 miles long and is a hot spot for hiking near the city of San Francisco. Hikers will be able to experience the fairytale-style woodland areas. As well as, gorgeous rushing mountain waterways while following the Cataract Falls Trail that is nestled in the Mount Tamalpais area. It is a great spot for you to take your family.
The trail is also great to go with a group of friends to have a picnic and relax in the shaded areas of this trail. This trail features wooded boardwalks as well as trails made of gravel. You will get to see several different waterfalls as you hike along this moderate-level path.
19. Muir Woods Trail
The Muir Woods Trail is 2.2 miles long. Known as one of the most popular trails that are located in and near the Muir Woods National Monument area. It is an easy trail that people of all ages can enjoy! It offers an opportunity for people to have a glimpse into the very massive Redwood forests that Northern California is known for.
The trail is fairly flat, so it is a great experience for groups of people or families with a variety of different levels of hiking experience. A fee is administered per person to enter, so you should check for the race ahead of time.
20. Castle Rock Trail
Castle Rock Trail Loop is located in the western part of the beautiful Mount Diablo State Park. This 5.9 mile trail is referred to as one of the most popular trails for moderate-level hikers. It offers beautiful displays of wildflowers, rock formations, and views of different areas of Mount Diablo Park. The trail features a couple of pretty steep inclines, but it is easy overall.
You might even be able to spot some pastures of cows grazing as you make your way along this trail with your family and friends. If you are a more experienced hiker, you can brave a claim up the side of Mount Diablo.
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