California hosts many of America’s best long distance trails. The trails mirror California’s diversity, but the trails and routes all showcase the best of California and are over 30 miles in length. The trails range from the John Muir Trail world class mountain epic to the Bay Area Ridge circling one the most populous areas of the US. The Bigfoot Trail, America’s newest long distance trail, features towering redwoods and hidden mountain glens of the Trinity Alps. Enjoy ten of Bay Area’s and California’s most interesting long distance trail in alphabetical order.
- Bay Area Ridge Trail
- Distance: 550 miles around the Bay Area
- Surface: 350 miles open on trail – remainder on roads and fireroads
- Season: All four seasons
- Highlights: BART connects 75 parks and open spaces. Favorite areas include Skyline Drive in Santa Cruz Mountains, Marin hills, and Mission Peak area in the East Bay
- Bigfoot Trail
Distance: 360 miles in Northern California from Trinity Alps to Redwood National Park- Surface: Mostly trail, currently ~100 miles on forest service roads
- Season: Spring to Autumn
- Highlights: America’s newest & best named long distance trail. Favorite areas include the Trinity Alps and the giant trees of Redwood National Park. If you’re lucky, you may spot the trail’s most elusive creature, the Sasquatch.
- CA Coastal Trail
Distance: 1200 miles along CA coast- Surface: 600 miles complete
- Season: All four seasons
- Highlights: Started in 2001 by the California Coastal Conservancy to connect the CA coast with one hiking trail. Favorites include Big Sur, Extensive trails along San Mateo Coast (including Cowell-Purisima), and remote sections of Mendocino Coast
- High Sierra Route
Distance: ~195 miles from Yosemite to Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park- Surface: 1/3 on trail. 2/3 off trail traverses
- Description: California’s most adventurous route runs parallel to John Muir Trail. Experience the High Sierra without the crowds. It requires advanced route finding, lightweight, and backcountry skills.
- John Muir Trail
Distance: ~215 miles from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney- Surface: trail
- Season: May – October
- Description: Called the prettiest long distance hike in the world. Favorites include Mt Whitney summit, Ansel Adam wilderness and Mt Ritter views, and Forrester Pass. The JMT follows the PCT for 160 miles. Plan in advance due to non trivial permits.
- Lost Coast Trail
Distance: 53 miles with two sections from North to South. Most hike the 25 miles from Mattole River to Shelter Cove. Continue 28 miles south to Sinkyone State Park- Surface: Beach & trail
- Season: All four seasons – check for winter storms and tide tables
- Highlights: Hike the only CA Coastal Area without a road. Enjoy black sand beaches, high coastal mountains, and deserted beaches. Check tide tables on the north section since some areas are impassable at high tide. Most hike North to South so wind is at your back.
- Pacific Crest Trail
Distance: 1699 PCT miles in CA from the Mexican border to Oregon border (of 2650 total)- Surface: Trail
- Season: April – September
- Highlights: Thru-hike or section hike one of the world’s most famous long distance trails. Highlights include the High Sierra, trail culture, and Mt Lassen National Park.
- San Francisco Bay Trail
Distance: 500 miles around San Francisco Bay- Surface: 340 miles completed – many on paved multi-use trails
- Season: All four seasons
- Highlights: Enjoy the 2nd largest Marsh in United States (behind Everglades) on multi-use trails. Favorites includes in the Baylands near Palo Alto and the Coyote Hills near Fremont.
- Skyline to the Sea Trail
Distance: 31 Miles from Castle Rock State Park to Big Basin State Park at the Pacific Ocean- Surface: 100% trail
- Season: All four seasons
- Highlights: The Bay Area’s first long distance descends from Skyline drive at 2600’ feet to the Ocean. Favorites include the redwoods of Big Basin (CA’s oldest State Park), Berry Creek Falls in Big Basin, and the Santa Cruz Mountain vistas in Castle Rock state park. Camping options abound and Santa Cruz 35 and 40 buses can help with route logistics.
- Tahoe Rim Trail
Distance:165 miles around Lake Tahoe- Surface: Trail
- Season to Hike:June through September
- Highlights: Enjoy 360 degree vies of 6,240’ Lake Tahoe. Favorites include Desolation Wilderness, Granite Chief Wilderness, Mt Rose Wilderness, and the Freel Roadless area. Logistics are the easiest of any long distance trail, and the trail shares 50 miles of the PCT.
