Everything within 20-30 miles radius of San Jose Area. At one Time you could just Click on the activity of your choice and find lots of trails to DO IT on. However Everytrail has gone down hill over the last 1/2 year and is no longer the best site to find activities on. BUT oh Well.... Our Favs are Biking, walking and hiking.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Guadalupe River Park in downtown San Jose
Get out of the office and see the Heritage Rose Garden and other downtown San Jose attractions
Get out of the office and see the Heritage Rose Garden and other downtown San Jose attractions
Easy
3.1 mi/
5.0 km
5.0 km
Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge Exploration
The nation's first urban National Wildlife Refuge is a jewel on the San Francisco Bay.
The nation's first urban National Wildlife Refuge is a jewel on the San Francisco Bay.
Easy
4.0 mi/
6.4 km
6.4 km
Bayview and Red Hill Trails at Coyote Hills Regional Park
Gentle climbs, scenic bay views and traces of American Indian heritage await at the west edge of Fremont, California
Gentle climbs, scenic bay views and traces of American Indian heritage await at the west edge of Fremont, California
Easy
5.9 mi/
9.5 km
9.5 km
Alviso section of Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge
Easy trails and mass migrations make this one of the best birdwatching locales in the San Francisco Bay Area
Easy trails and mass migrations make this one of the best birdwatching locales in the San Francisco Bay Area
Easy
7.6 mi/
12.2 km
12.2 km
The Stanford Dish Hike
A scenic 4-mile loop on steep, paved trails with great views on Stanford University and the San Francisco Bay.
A scenic 4-mile loop on steep, paved trails with great views on Stanford University and the San Francisco Bay.
Moderate
4.0 mi/
6.5 km
6.5 km
Monument Peak - Ed Levin County Park
4.2 mile trail in Ed Levin County Park, California
4.2 mile trail in Ed Levin County Park, California
Moderate
4.2 mi/
6.8 km
6.8 km
San Andreas-Sanborn Loop at Sanborn Skyline County Park
Excellent hike through the redwoods just west of Saratoga and south of San Jose, California
Excellent hike through the redwoods just west of Saratoga and south of San Jose, California
Moderate
5.2 mi/
8.4 km
8.4 km
Ohlone College to Mission Peak
Gradual route is a less-strenuous option for hiking to the top of the popular East Bay peak
Gradual route is a less-strenuous option for hiking to the top of the popular East Bay peak
Difficult
8.0 mi/
12.9 km
12.9 km
Peters Creek Loop
All-day hike to grove of ancient redwoods in Portola Redwoods State Park is a must if you can do the distance
All-day hike to grove of ancient redwoods in Portola Redwoods State Park is a must if you can do the distance
Difficult
13.0 mi/
21 km
21 km
Mission Peak via Bay Area Ridge Trail and Ed Levin Park
Extra-strenuous hike goes to Monument Peak, Mission Peak and back over 14 miles in an excellent spring outing.
Extra-strenuous hike goes to Monument Peak, Mission Peak and back over 14 miles in an excellent spring outing.
Difficult
13.5 mi/
22 km
22 km
Sanborn Skyline Park to Castle Rock State Park
All-day trek takes the best trails at two great parks along Skyline Boulevard southwest of Silicon Valley.
All-day trek takes the best trails at two great parks along Skyline Boulevard southwest of Silicon Valley.
Difficult
16.0 mi/
26 km
26 km
Skyline Ridge Regional Open Space
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Alpine Pond (Spanish)
A family-friendly audio guide to a wildlife mecca in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
A family-friendly audio guide to a wildlife mecca in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Easy
0.3 mi/
0.5 km
0.5 km
Alpine Pond
A family-friendly audio guide to a wildlife mecca in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
A family-friendly audio guide to a wildlife mecca in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Easy
0.3 mi/
0.5 km
0.5 km
Alpine Pond (Mandarin Chinese)
A family-friendly audio guide to a wildlife mecca in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
A family-friendly audio guide to a wildlife mecca in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Easy
0.3 mi/
0.5 km
0.5 km
Skyline Ridge Habitats
Explore 4 plant communities—riparian, forest, chaparral, grassland—in a short, scenic hike in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Explore 4 plant communities—riparian, forest, chaparral, grassland—in a short, scenic hike in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Easy
2.0 mi/
3.2 km
3.2 km
Uvas Canyon
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Waterfall Tour of Uvas Canyon County Park
The best easy hike south of California's Silicon Valley.
The best easy hike south of California's Silicon Valley.
Easy
1.0 mi/
1.6 km
1.6 km
Arastradero Preserve
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Arastradero Preserve Redtail Loop Trail
Nice 1.4 mile trail for a quick hike with kids. Also suitable as an extension to other trails in Arastradero.
Nice 1.4 mile trail for a quick hike with kids. Also suitable as an extension to other trails in Arastradero.
Easy
1.3 mi/
2.1 km
2.1 km
Mountain Biking in Arastradero Preserve
Some of the best mountain biking trails in the Stanford area. A good variation of single and double track.
Some of the best mountain biking trails in the Stanford area. A good variation of single and double track.
Moderate
6.8 mi/
10.9 km
10.9 km
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Alpine Pond at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
Get your nature fix and add a short hike at this bucolic pond in the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco.
Get your nature fix and add a short hike at this bucolic pond in the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco.
Easy
2.4 mi/
3.9 km
3.9 km
San Andreas Fault Trail Exploration
The San Andreas Fault runs nearly the length of the state. See it up close and personal.
The San Andreas Fault runs nearly the length of the state. See it up close and personal.
Moderate
1.1 mi/
1.8 km
1.8 km
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
A moderate 5.3 mile loop with a 900-foot climb. A great springtime wildflower hike!
A moderate 5.3 mile loop with a 900-foot climb. A great springtime wildflower hike!
Moderate
5.3 mi/
8.5 km
8.5 km
Epic Bay Area Ridge Trail Hike in the Santa Cruz Mountains
This 15-mile loop passes through five parks that promise some of the best hiking in the San Francisco Bay Area.
This 15-mile loop passes through five parks that promise some of the best hiking in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Difficult
15.0 mi/
24 km
24 km
Stanford Campus
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Long Ridge Open Space Preserve
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Easy Hike at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve
A ramble along Peters Creek past Wallace Stegner's bench.
A ramble along Peters Creek past Wallace Stegner's bench.
Easy
4.4 mi/
7.1 km
7.1 km
Sunol Regional Wilderness
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Maguire Peaks Loop Hike
Hike Maguire Peaks Loop and you might be lucky enough to see the herd of Tule Elks.
Hike Maguire Peaks Loop and you might be lucky enough to see the herd of Tule Elks.
Easy
4.7 mi/
7.6 km
7.6 km
Flag Hill Loop, Sunol Regional Wilderness
A short, steep hike up Flag Hill promises grand scenery and offers a great way to introduce your kids to hiking.
A short, steep hike up Flag Hill promises grand scenery and offers a great way to introduce your kids to hiking.
Moderate
3.7 mi/
6.0 km
6.0 km
Eagle View Trail
Eagle View is one of the best of many great trails at Sunol Wilderness in the hills east of Fremont, California
Eagle View is one of the best of many great trails at Sunol Wilderness in the hills east of Fremont, California
Moderate
5.4 mi/
8.7 km
8.7 km
Little Yosemite and W Tree Scramble
Rock formations and rushing waters make this an excellent hike in the East Bay hills.
Rock formations and rushing waters make this an excellent hike in the East Bay hills.
Moderate
6.7 mi/
10.8 km
10.8 km
Sunol Wilderness to Mission Peak
This back-door route to Mission Peak is a wilder, quieter alternative to more popular trails
This back-door route to Mission Peak is a wilder, quieter alternative to more popular trails
Difficult
10.2 mi/
16.4 km
16.4 km
Rose Peak Hike From Sunol
Peak bag the jewel of Ohlone Wilderness, Rose Peak (3,817 ft.), in one day.
Peak bag the jewel of Ohlone Wilderness, Rose Peak (3,817 ft.), in one day.
Difficult
17.8 mi/
29 km
29 km
Rose Peak - Ohlone Regional Wilderness
17.8 mile trail in the Ohlone Regional Wilderness, California
17.8 mile trail in the Ohlone Regional Wilderness, California
Difficult
17.8 mi/
29 km
29 km
Sunol Wilderness
A great way to see the East Bay hills; nature abounds just minutes from civilization
A great way to see the East Bay hills; nature abounds just minutes from civilization
n/a
6.7 mi/
10.8 km
10.8 km
Fremont Older Opoen Space Reserve
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Tony Look Trail at Stevens Creek Park
Hiking above the reservoir at Stevens Creek Park
Hiking above the reservoir at Stevens Creek Park
Moderate
1.4 mi/
2.3 km
2.3 km
Santa Teresa County Park
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Stile Ranch Trail at Santa Teresa County Park
One of the best wildflower hikes in San Jose, California, is on this twisty trail at the southern edge of the city
One of the best wildflower hikes in San Jose, California, is on this twisty trail at the southern edge of the city
Moderate
2.6 mi/
4.2 km
4.2 km
Coyote Peak Loop at Santa Teresa County Park
Get a nice workout in on this trail in San Jose's popular Santa Teresa County Park
Get a nice workout in on this trail in San Jose's popular Santa Teresa County Park
Moderate
4.2 mi/
6.8 km
6.8 km
Alum Rock Park
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Alum Rock Exploration
Alum Rock Park, created in 1872 as the first municipal park in California, offers ancient rocks & new geologic changes.
Alum Rock Park, created in 1872 as the first municipal park in California, offers ancient rocks & new geologic changes.
Moderate
4.0 mi/
6.4 km
6.4 km
Pigeon Gap Trail - Alum Rock Park
4.7 mile trail in Alum Rock Park, California
4.7 mile trail in Alum Rock Park, California
Moderate
4.7 mi/
7.6 km
7.6 km
North Rim Trail to Boccardo Trail at Alum Rock Park
Hike to the backcountry just beyond the popular park on southeast edge of Silicon Valley.
Hike to the backcountry just beyond the popular park on southeast edge of Silicon Valley.
Moderate
8.1 mi/
13.0 km
13.0 km
Joseph D. Grant County Park
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Dutch Flat and Dairy Trails at Grant County Park
A great loop hike for wildlife and wildflower scouting at the park in the hills east of San Jose.
A great loop hike for wildlife and wildflower scouting at the park in the hills east of San Jose.
Moderate
5.7 mi/
9.2 km
9.2 km
Yerba Buena to Halls Valley Trail Loop at Joseph D. Grant Park
One of the best hikes in the county park in the hills east of San Jose, California
One of the best hikes in the county park in the hills east of San Jose, California
Moderate
6.8 mi/
10.9 km
10.9 km
Perimeter loop hike at Grant County Park
This beefy 22-mile trek hits all the high points of the park in the hills east of San Jose
This beefy 22-mile trek hits all the high points of the park in the hills east of San Jose
Difficult
22 mi/
35 km
35 km
Castle Rock State Park
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Castle Rock State Park Loop: Saratoga Gap and Ridge Trails
Great views, challenging hiking in the hills southwest of Silicon Valley.
Great views, challenging hiking in the hills southwest of Silicon Valley.
Moderate
6.5 mi/
10.5 km
10.5 km
Calero County Park
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Javelina Loop - Calero County Park
Get a good workout while nature watching in this 7-mile hike on the southern rim of Silicon Valley
Get a good workout while nature watching in this 7-mile hike on the southern rim of Silicon Valley
Moderate
7.0 mi/
11.3 km
11.3 km
Bald Peaks Loop at Calero County Park
Hikers and equestrians get the view from on high at this park south of San Jose, California
Hikers and equestrians get the view from on high at this park south of San Jose, California
Difficult
8.6 mi/
13.8 km
13.8 km
Rancho San Antonio County Park
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Wildcat Canyon Loop at Rancho San Antonio
Escape the crowds and take in the sights on this loop at the popular park west of Cupertino.
Escape the crowds and take in the sights on this loop at the popular park west of Cupertino.
Moderate
7.3 mi/
11.7 km
11.7 km
Black Mountain from Rhus Ridge, Rancho San Antonio
Great hike from Los Altos Hills, towering 2812' over Silicon Valley.
Great hike from Los Altos Hills, towering 2812' over Silicon Valley.
Difficult
9.8 mi/
15.8 km
15.8 km
Deer Hollow Farm at Rancho San Antonio
Easy hike to a barnyard full of cows, chickens and other critters is a favorite spot at the park west of Mountain View
Easy hike to a barnyard full of cows, chickens and other critters is a favorite spot at the park west of Mountain View
n/a
2.8 mi/
4.5 km
4.5 km
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Limekiln Trail to Priest Rock and Kennedy Trail
One of the best scenic workouts in the Sierra Azul OSP around Los Gatos/San Jose!
One of the best scenic workouts in the Sierra Azul OSP around Los Gatos/San Jose!
Difficult
6.4 mi/
10.3 km
10.3 km
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Mining Sites at Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Remnants of San Jose's mercury mining history lie in the hills of Almaden Quicksilver Park.
Remnants of San Jose's mercury mining history lie in the hills of Almaden Quicksilver Park.
Difficult
6.9 mi/
11.1 km
11.1 km
Mockingbird Loop - Almaden Quicksilver County Park
3.7 mile trail around Almaden Quicksilver County Park
3.7 mile trail around Almaden Quicksilver County Park
n/a
5.3 mi/
8.5 km
8.5 km
Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Mayfair Ranch Trail at Rancho Canada del Oro
Strenuous hike promises great views of the rugged backcountry southwest of San Jose, California
Strenuous hike promises great views of the rugged backcountry southwest of San Jose, California
Difficult
8.0 mi/
12.9 km
12.9 km
Ohlone Wilderness
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Murietta Falls via Ohlone Wilderness Trail
A tough-but-rewarding hike to the San Francisco Bay Area's highest waterfall.
A tough-but-rewarding hike to the San Francisco Bay Area's highest waterfall.
Difficult
11.9 mi/
19.2 km
19.2 km
Ohlone Wilderness Trail
Rugged but rewarding trek is best way to see East Bay backcountry
Rugged but rewarding trek is best way to see East Bay backcountry
Difficult
29 mi/
47 km
47 km
Mission Peak Regional Preserve
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
San Francisco Bay Area
Temperature, terrain and amenities make the Bay Area one of the world's top destinations for outdoor recreation.
Temperature, terrain and amenities make the Bay Area one of the world's top destinations for outdoor recreation.
n/a
Guides
A scenic 4-mile loop on steep, paved trails with great views on Stanford University and the San Francisco Bay.
Rugged but rewarding trek is best way to see East Bay backcountry
The best easy hike south of California's Silicon Valley.
4.2 mile trail in Ed Levin County Park, California
A short, steep hike up Flag Hill promises grand scenery and offers a great way to introduce your kids to hiking.
A tough-but-rewarding hike to the San Francisco Bay Area's highest waterfall.
A family-friendly audio guide to a wildlife mecca in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
A great way to see the East Bay hills; nature abounds just minutes from civilization
Get your nature fix and add a short hike at this bucolic pond in the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco.
One of the best wildflower hikes in San Jose, California, is on this twisty trail at the southern edge of the city
This back-door route to Mission Peak is a wilder, quieter alternative to more popular trails
Avoid the crowds get more enjoyable miles on these approaches to the East Bay peak
Community Trips
A really nice hike through Montebello that includes Black Mountain and the Stevens Creek Nature Trail.The hike started off wonderfully with a coyote hunting gophers in the grass some distance away from me. I was downwind of him so while he was preoccupied with getting his breakfast he ended up drifting up the ridge quite close to me. I saw two coyotes today and neither seemed very concerned with my presence. In my past experience they...
Uvas Canyon is one of the loveliest locales in the San Francisco Bay Area after a couple weeks of winter rains. I hiked 5.3 miles with 1476 feet of elevation gain over nearly four hours (lots of breaks for pictures and enjoying the scenery). Hike writeup at Two Heel Drive.
After having hiked a portion of the Ohlone Wilderness trail from Lake
Del Valle to Murietta Falls last February, I felt compelled to hike the
full 28 miles of this trail, connecting Lake Del Valle to Stanford
Avenue in Fremont, which is the west-facing foot of Mission Peak.This
sure seemed challenging. 28 miles is long, even over two days. The
climb to Rose Peak is strenuous for sure. And then, Mission Peak comes
as a "bonus".After doing a...
I hiked the hard way -- up Horse Heaven Trail -- at Mission Peak Regional Preserve from the Stanford Avenue entrance just off Mission Boulevard in Fremont. I also did this to test my new Garmin eTrex Vista CX unit to see how it would work with my iMac ... it\'s always fun trying to make PC stuff work on a Mac. Handy programs: GPS Photo LInker -- http://www.earlyinnovations.com/gpsphotolinker/ ... -- geocodes photos based on...
A couple of weeks ago, I was poking around EveryTrail looking for a fun hike. I stumbled across Vaudesir's "Lake Del Valle to Murrieta Fall (Ohlone trail)", and immediately favorited it. A little more digging turned up tommangan's Ohlone Wilderness Trail Guide, who mentions that Murietta Falls only run after "several days of rain". With the Bay Area getting nigh-endless rain for the last week, it seemed like an ideal time to...
Castle Rock beautiful in foggy weather in the fall. Great camping/hiking area for relaxing and bouldering.
WHEN : March 21, 2009
WHERE: Alum Rock Park
DIRECTIONS: From 680 take Mckee Road east, turn left on White Road and then right on Penitencia Creek Road. Take this road all the way into the park and park in the FIRST PARKING LOT at the entrance.
http://www.sjparks.org/Parks/RegionalParks/arp/index.asp
TRAILS: North Rim Trail > Detour to Eagle Rock > Back to North Rim Trail > Todd Quick Trail > Boccardo Loop > Weather Loop > Back to...
Sunol Loop Hike - Sunol Regional Park EBRPD
Mission San Jose District, California, United States
6.1 miles
6.1 miles
This trip is to hike the big loop of Sunol Regional Wilderness covering Flag Hill and Cerro Este Overlook. It also contains part of the famous Ohlone Wilderness trail.Type: Out-and-back loop hikeLength: 6.2 MilesDuration: 2 hr 45 min.Elevation Gain: 1,960 ft.Difficulty Level: ModerateTrailhead: Bridge over Alameda creek near the visitor centerRoute (Summary):Visitor Centor -> Flag Hill -> High Valley Camp -> Cerro Este Overlook -> Visitor CentorRoute (Detailed):OT12 -> Bridge -(L)-> Flag Hill Trail -> SO3 -(R)-> Flag Hill...
Lexington Reservoir to Hicks Road - Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve
Lexington (historical), California, United States
11.9 miles
11.9 miles
This is a very classic hike that I do at least once a year. Sam and I staged a car at Hicks Road and drove down to Lexington Reservoir. We climbed up Priest Rock Trail all the way to Kennedy Road. This is was a good exercise. The temperature was ideal, we never felt chilly or hot. In less than 2 hours, we were on the ridge, and we continued on the...
EveryTrail shows this hike as 15.9 miles, while Garmin's MapSource says 16.1. I'm splitting the difference and calling it 16 miles. :)This was a long hike that kicked my butt, since I think it's longest single-day hike I've ever done. I made very good time overall, even though my body was completely uninterested in maintaining the pace I wanted it to after about mile 10.Around mile 13, I gave in and took...
Reviews
