Hikers are stoked about these 5 Bay Area redwood trails
by Jennifer Charney on
AllTrails users rate these routes among the best
Redwood forests are great places to connect with nature, friends, and family, especially over the holidays. Check out these highly rated hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area according to alltrails.com.
Mill Valley, Marin County
4.8 stars out of 5; 1,215 reviews
Elevation gain: 1,151 feet
Trailhead: 0.3 miles down the Stapleveldt Trail from Pantoll Campground
Dogs: Prohibited
Crossing through Mount Tamalpais State Park and Muir Woods National Monument, hikers rave about this route’s enthralling redwoods, ferns, and wildlife, from deer to ladybugs. Hikers can avoid making the required parking reservations at Muir Woods by starting in Mt. Tam. This loop includes parts of the Fern Creek Trail, Bootjack Trail, TTC Trail, Stapleveldt Trail, Ben Johnson Trail, and Hillside Trail.
The Stream, East Ridge, and Canyon Trail Loop runs through a forest of young redwoods in Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. Photo by H Grimes, Flickr Creative Commons.
Stream, East Ridge, and Canyon Trail Loop
Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park Oakland, Alameda County
4.6 stars out of 5; 1,300 reviews
6.4 miles
Elevation gain: 853 feet
Trailhead: Redwood Gate, 7867 Redwood Rd, Oakland, CA 94619, Canyon Meadow Staging Area
Dogs: On leash
This route follows Redwood Creek at the bottom of a lush canyon lined with 150-year-old redwoods. The climb out of the canyon to the East Ridge Trail offers more sun and vistas.
Huddart County Park offers a peaceful redwood forest. Photo by maverickngw, Flickr Creative Commons.
Dean Trail and Campground Trail
Huddart County Park
Woodside, San Mateo County
4.6 stars out of 5; 663 reviews
3.6 miles
Elevation gain: 695 feet
Trailhead: Madrone Picnic Area
Dogs: Prohibited
Banana slugs and deer are among the denizens you may meet in this beautiful, shady redwood forest within easy reach of the population centers of the San Francisco Peninsula. Hikers like the quiet and lack of crowds, as well as the park’s amenities.
The Redwood Grove Loop Trail at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is accessible to wheelchair users.
Redwood Grove Loop Trail
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Felton, Santa Cruz County
4.6 stars out of 5; 1,406 reviews
0.9 mile
Elevation gain: 45 feet; wheelchair friendly
Trailhead: Just south of the parking lot, which is off Big Trees Park Road
Dogs: Prohibited
This wheelchair-accessible trail of compacted gravel and firm natural surface loops through an old-growth redwood grove with two fascinating features: the Fremont Tree, a large redwood with an opening in its trunk that is wide enough to wheel through, and a 1,500-year-old redwood that towers 277 feet.
The Pioneer Nature Trail offers a look at the ancient redwood forest of Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Photo by musicvet2003, Flickr Creative Commons.
Pioneer Nature Trail
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
Guerneville, Sonoma County
4.6 stars out of 5; 425 reviews
1.5 miles
Elevation gain: 72 feet; wheelchair friendly
Trailhead: Just north of the parking lot, which is off Armstrong Woods Road
Dogs: Prohibited
This marvelous wheelchair-accessible trail of compacted soil runs from the visitor center to the picnic area, meandering among ancient redwoods and offering views of Fife Creek. Signs describe the forest ecosystem and its history. Some signs offer a tactile experience.
Jennifer Charney, former Senior Manager of Marketing Communications, leads the production of many Save the Redwoods League publications. She brought a lifelong love of nature to her role, in which she served for 13 years.
