San Jose Ca

California, United States
 (4 votes, 4 reviews)
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
Easy
3.1 mi
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.
Easy
4.0 mi
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
Easy
5.9 mi
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
7.6 mi
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.
Moderate
4.0 mi
6.5 km
Monument Peak - Ed Levin County Park
4.2 mile trail in Ed Levin County Park, California
Moderate
4.2 mi
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
Moderate
5.2 mi
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
Difficult
8.0 mi
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
Difficult
13.0 mi
20.9 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.
Difficult
13.5 mi
21.7 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.
Difficult
16.0 mi
25.8 km
Mount Hamilton
Challenging climb to highest peak overlooking Silicon Valley
 

Skyline Ridge Regional Open Space

Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Alpine Pond
A family-friendly audio guide to a wildlife mecca in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Easy
0.3 mi
0.5 km

Uvas Canyon

Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Waterfall Tour of Uvas Canyon County Park
The best easy hike south of California's Silicon Valley.
Easy
1.0 mi
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.
Easy
1.3 mi
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.
Moderate
6.8 mi
10.9 km

Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Horseshoe Lake Circuit
1.4 mile trail near Vista Verde, California
Easy
1.4 mi
2.3 km
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.
Easy
2.4 mi
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.
Moderate
1.1 mi
1.8 km
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
A moderate 5.3 mile loop with a 900-foot climb. A great springtime wildflower hike!
Moderate
5.3 mi
8.5 km
Monte Bello Crossover
Multiple viewpoint loop hike along Skyline
Moderate
11.2 mi
18.0 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.
Difficult
15.0 mi
24.1 km

Stanford Campus

Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Stanford Campus Walk
Experience one the country's impressive University campuses
Easy
2.0 mi
3.2 km

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.
Easy
4.4 mi
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.
Easy
4.7 mi
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.
Moderate
3.7 mi
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
Moderate
5.4 mi
8.7 km
Little Yosemite and W Tree Scramble
Rock formations and rushing waters make this an excellent hike in the East Bay hills.
Moderate
6.7 mi
10.8 km
Sunol Wilderness to Mission Peak
This back-door route to Mission Peak is a wilder, quieter alternative to more popular trails
Difficult
10.2 mi
16.4 km
Rose Peak Hike From Sunol
Peak bag the jewel of Ohlone Wilderness, Rose Peak (3,817 ft.), in one day.
Difficult
17.8 mi
28.6 km
Rose Peak - Ohlone Regional Wilderness
17.8 mile trail in the Ohlone Regional Wilderness, California
Difficult
17.8 mi
28.6 km
Sunol Wilderness
A great way to see the East Bay hills; nature abounds just minutes from civilization
 
6.7 mi
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
Moderate
1.4 mi
2.3 km
Seven Springs Trail
2.6 mile trail near Cupertino, California
 
2.6 mi
4.2 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
Moderate
2.6 mi
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
Moderate
4.2 mi
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.
Moderate
4.0 mi
6.4 km
Pigeon Gap Trail - Alum Rock Park
4.7 mile trail in Alum Rock Park, California
Moderate
4.7 mi
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.
Moderate
8.1 mi
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.
Moderate
5.7 mi
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
Moderate
6.8 mi
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
Difficult
21.9 mi
35.2 km
Antler Point from Twin Gates
11.0 mile trail near Grant Ranch, California
 
26.2 mi
42.2 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.
Moderate
6.5 mi
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
Moderate
7.0 mi
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
Difficult
8.6 mi
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.
Moderate
7.3 mi
11.7 km
Difficult
8.1 mi
13.0 km
Black Mountain from Rhus Ridge, Rancho San Antonio
Great hike from Los Altos Hills, towering 2812' over Silicon Valley.
Difficult
9.8 mi
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
 
2.8 mi
4.5 km

Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve

Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Mt Umunhum
Woods Rd to Barlow Rd to Mt Umunhum Rd
Moderate
7.9 mi
12.7 km
Limekiln Trail to Priest Rock and Kennedy Trail
One of the best scenic workouts in the Sierra Azul OSP around Los Gatos/San Jose!
Difficult
6.4 mi
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.
Difficult
6.9 mi
11.1 km
Mockingbird Loop - Almaden Quicksilver County Park
3.7 mile trail around Almaden Quicksilver County Park
 
5.3 mi
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
Difficult
8.0 mi
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.
Difficult
11.9 mi
19.2 km
Ohlone Wilderness Trail
Rugged but rewarding trek is best way to see East Bay backcountry
Difficult
29.1 mi
46.8 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.
 
Guides
Castle Rock State Park Loop: Saratoga Gap and Ridge Trails
Castle Rock State Park Loop: Saratoga Gap and Ridge Trails
Saratoga, California, United States
 
Moderate: 6.5 miles, Half day
Great views, challenging hiking in the hills southwest of Silicon Valley.
The Stanford Dish Hike
The Stanford Dish Hike
Stanford, California, United States
 
Moderate: 4.0 miles, 1 hour or less
A scenic 4-mile loop on steep, paved trails with great views on Stanford University and the San Francisco Bay.
Ohlone Wilderness Trail
Ohlone Wilderness Trail
Livermore, California, United States
 
Difficult: 29.1 miles, Multiple days
Rugged but rewarding trek is best way to see East Bay backcountry
Sunol Wilderness
Sunol Wilderness
Fremont, California, United States
 
A great way to see the East Bay hills; nature abounds just minutes from civilization
Flag Hill Loop, Sunol Regional Wilderness
Flag Hill Loop, Sunol Regional Wilderness
Fremont, California, United States
 
Moderate: 3.7 miles, 1-3 hours
A short, steep hike up Flag Hill promises grand scenery and offers a great way to introduce your kids to hiking.
Waterfall Tour of Uvas Canyon County Park
Waterfall Tour of Uvas Canyon County Park
Morgan Hill, California, United States
 
Easy: 1.0 miles, 1-3 hours
The best easy hike south of California's Silicon Valley.
Best hikes to Mission Peak summit
Best hikes to Mission Peak summit
Mission Peak Regional Preserve, California, United States
 
Avoid the crowds get more enjoyable miles on these approaches to the East Bay peak
Murietta Falls via Ohlone Wilderness Trail
Murietta Falls via Ohlone Wilderness Trail
Livermore, California, United States
 
Difficult: 11.9 miles, Full day
A tough-but-rewarding hike to the San Francisco Bay Area's highest waterfall.
Mountain Biking in Arastradero Preserve
Mountain Biking in Arastradero Preserve
Palo Alto, California, United States
 
Moderate: 6.8 miles, 1 hour or less
Some of the best mountain biking trails in the Stanford area. A good variation of single and double track.
Sunol Wilderness to Mission Peak
Sunol Wilderness to Mission Peak
Sunol Regional Wilderness, California, United States
 
Difficult: 10.2 miles, Full day
This back-door route to Mission Peak is a wilder, quieter alternative to more popular trails
Black Mountain from Rhus Ridge, Rancho San Antonio
Black Mountain from Rhus Ridge, Rancho San Antonio
Los Altos Hills, California, United States
 
Difficult: 9.8 miles, Full day
Great hike from Los Altos Hills, towering 2812' over Silicon Valley.
Guadalupe River Park in downtown San Jose
Guadalupe River Park in downtown San Jose
San Jose, California, United States
 
Easy: 3.1 miles, 1-3 hours
Get out of the office and see the Heritage Rose Garden and other downtown San Jose attractions
Community Trips
Mariposa Lily Photo
IMG_7051 Photo
Wind poppy Photo
Toad Photo
Ohlone Wilderness Trail
by Vaudesir on May 09, 2009
Scotts Corner, California, United States
29.1 miles
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...
Coyote down on the ridge Photo
Hunting Photo
Saw me finally Photo
Crossing the trail about 20 feet away Photo
Black Mountain Loop
by antonyw on Apr 16, 2010
Vista Verde, California, United States
7.0 miles
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...
Looking up Photo
Morning sun on rocks Photo
Horse Heaven Trail marker Photo
IMG_6776.jpg Photo
Horse Heaven Trail to Mission Peak Summit
by tommangan on Nov 20, 2008
Fremont, California, United States
6.0 miles
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...
Swanson Creek Trail (Sveadal, California, United States) Photo
Unidentified falls (Sveadal, California, United States) Photo
More Swanson Creek (Sveadal, California, United States) Photo
Swanson Creek (Sveadal, California, United States) Photo
Uvas Canyon Waterfalls, 3-08-09
by tommangan on Mar 08, 2009
Sveadal, California, United States
5.3 miles
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.
Williams Gulch fall Photo
Schlieper Rock Photo
Snow! Photo
Murietta Falls Photo
Murietta Falls
by navratil on Jan 24, 2010
Mendenhall Springs, California, United States
14.9 miles
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...
spectacular fog sight (San Lorenzo Park, California, United States) Photo
sun rays thru tree (San Lorenzo Park, California, United States) Photo
dew on coniferous tree (San Lorenzo Park, California, United States) Photo
fellow hiker takes a break (San Lorenzo Park, California, United States) Photo
Castle Rock
by photohiker on Oct 15, 2006
San Lorenzo Park, California, United States
3.8 miles
Castle Rock beautiful in foggy weather in the fall. Great camping/hiking area for relaxing and bouldering.
IMG_1100.jpg Photo
IMG_1101.jpg Photo
IMG_1103.jpg Photo
IMG_1105.jpg Photo
Lexington Reservoir to Hicks Road - Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve
by Vaudesir on May 08, 2010
Lexington (historical), California, United States
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...
IMG_5551.jpg Photo
IMG_5555.jpg Photo
IMG_5556.jpg Photo
IMG_5561.jpg Photo
Almaden Quicksilver Circuit
by croyle on Jan 09, 2010
Guadalupe (historical), California, United States
15.9 miles
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...
Picture_168.jpg (Mission San Jose District, California, United States) Photo
Picture_176.jpg (Mission San Jose District, California, United States) Photo
Picture_182.jpg (Mission San Jose District, California, United States) Photo
Picture_184.jpg (Mission San Jose District, California, United States) Photo
Sunol Regional Wilderness
by sea2sky on Mar 07, 2009
East Bay Regional Park District, California, United States
13.6 miles
WHEN: March 7, 2009 WHERE: Sunol Regional Wilderness Calaveras Road exit off I-680; left on Geary Road Sunol, CA 94586 Tel: (925) 862-2601   TRAILS: Indian Joe Nature Trail -> Canyon View Trail -> Backpack Road -> McCorkle Trail -> Eagle View Trail -> Welch Creek Road -> Upper MaGuire Peaks Trail -> MaGuire Peaks Trail -> Lower MaGuire Peaks Trail -> Welch Creek Road -> High Valley Road -> Cave Rocks Trail -> Indian Joe Creek ->...
DSC00054 (Mission San Jose District, California, United States) Photo
DSC00055 (Mission San Jose District, California, United States) Photo
DSC00056 (Scotts Corner, California, United States) Photo
DSC00057 (Scotts Corner, California, United States) Photo
Sunol Loop Hike - Sunol Regional Park EBRPD
by jasonchiu on Mar 28, 2009
Mission San Jose District, California, United States
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...

Reviews
Achaetes
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars, was that I prefer solitude and this was one of the most crowded hikes we've done yet. There was a line at the single bathroom, so I didn't go before or after the hike. There was a stream of people heading up the Hidden Valley Trail. Luckily tommangan's route took us to the right instead to Horse Heaven Trail. This was much less traveled and I started to feel less stressed out. We were greeted almost immediately by a flock of turkeys, which was cool. The rest of the hike to the summit was pretty much uphill all the way. Tough, but a great workout and a great feeling of accomplishment afterwards. You'll also be rewarded with awesome 360 views from the summit.
Visited on Nov 19, 2011

by Achaetes on Dec 26, 2011 at 05:01:02 pm
lohrfam111
Hiked at Lexington Reservoir County Park, St. Joseph's hill. Beautiful views of SC Valley.
Visited on Aug 20, 2011

by lohrfam111 on Aug 21, 2011 at 02:06:43 am
RobFosse
Sierra Road is one of the most challenging climbs (on a bike) anywhere in NorCal. 3 miles long and climbs almost 2000'. Very scenic, like looking down on the city from the top row of a grand stadium. It's the ONLY road that the Tour of Calilfornia has included EVERY year!
Visited on May 18, 2011

by RobFosse on May 24, 2011 at 09:37:59 am
Touchstone
One of my favorites. Beautiful scenery and great hiking possibilities.
Visited on Apr 11, 2009

by Touchstone on Dec 27, 2011 at 12:18:13 pm

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What people are saying...

california, Mission Peak, biking, milpitas, San Jose, Cupertino, Morgan Hill, Bayland, Fremont, bay area, Santa Clara, palo alto, Mountain biking, Sunnyvale, bike, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Los Altos, trail, Cycling

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