Bay Area hikes provide a healthy way to get out of the city for a few hours and recharge in nature. The diverse flora and fauna of various Bay Area regions makes spending a day on the trail both an education and an adventure.
North Bay
Mount Tamalpais State Park boasts trails for outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels. Beginners may want to try the Lighthouse Trail, which stretches over 1.2 miles and leads directly to the Point Bonita lighthouse.
One of the best Bay Area hikes for intermediate hikers is the 2.8 mile Ring Mountain trail, which offers varied landscapes and exquisite flower displays during the Spring months.
Skilled hikers may want to tackle the Kent trail, which runs along Alpine Lake. The trail is 5.2 miles and passes directly through a Redwood forest, which makes the steep and rocky path worth climbing.
East Bay
The Diablo Range is not for beginner hikers, but for intermediate to skilled hiker some breathtaking views and challenging trails can be found. Murietta Falls and Mission Peak are two of the best Bay Area hikes available in this region. Hikers should bring plenty of water and be prepared for a strenuous hike up a steep grade. Flag Hill Loop is a less intense hike that nonetheless includes a 900 foot incline that is enough to challenge any trekker.
Peninsula/South Bay
Bay Area hikes in Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda counties are too many and varied to list. The cream of the crop is as follows:
Big Basin. The Waterfall Loop takes hikers through Redwood groves for the entire 11 mile loop, which is easy enough for beginners to handle.
Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. Thirteen miles of prime hiking trails can be discovered in this changing landscape that includes forested areas, grassy plains and lush creeks.
Henry Coe State Park. Park headquarters offers trail maps that detail hikes for every skill level. Mountain lions do inhabit this terrain, though they rarely approach humans. Hikers should follow carefully all instructions from park rangers in this region to ensure safety.
Bay Area hikes are available for every age group and skill level. From paved paths to steep grades, there is literally something for everyone in this picturesque region.
Images via John Lemieux, Kevin, donjd2
