California, United States
Hiking trails near San Francisco
111 quality-checked hiking routes are currently mapped within 60 km of San Francisco, California, United States. Together their route lines cover 1.4k km. The average route is 12.6 km with 390 m (1,280 ft) of recorded ascent.
- 111
- Trails
- 60 km
- Search radius
- 11
- Easy routes
- 2.6 km
- Closest
The directory difficulty mix is 11 easy (10%), 87 moderate (78%) and 13 hard or expert (12%). 6 routes (5%) are recorded as loops. Difficulty is calculated from available distance and elevation data; it is not a statement about technical terrain or current conditions.
The most frequent route tags are mountain (16), river (7), coastal (4), canyon and gorge (3). The highest recorded point in this set is 1,164 m (3,819 ft). The place-level planning field lists varies by region as the preferred season; check each route and official notices for live access and weather. ADT - California - T - Seg 9, ADT - California - T - Seg 8, ADT - California - T - Seg 7 currently lead this page’s directory ranking, which uses route completeness and computed route scores rather than editorial field testing.
Choose by the details
How do these routes differ?
A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.
Shortest mapped distance in this sample
55.8 km
ADT - California - T - Seg 7Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.
Lowest recorded ascent in this sample
1,020 m
ADT - California - T - Seg 86 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.
Return logistics
0 recorded loops
Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.
Plan the return journey →| Route | Distance | Ascent | Moving time | Shape |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADT - California - T - Seg 9 | 70.3 km | 1,539 m | 18 hr | Point to point |
| ADT - California - T - Seg 8 | 77.4 km | 1,020 m | 19 hr | Point to point |
| ADT - California - T - Seg 7 | 55.8 km | 1,646 m | 15 hr | Point to point |
| California Coastal Trail | 55.9 km | 1,263 m | 14 hr | Point to point |
| Bay Area Ridge Trail - 01 - North Bay | 308 km | 5,538 m | 81 hr | Point to point |
| Bay Area Ridge Trail - 04 - San Francisco and Peninsula | 152 km | 4,980 m | 43 hr | Point to point |
Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.
Other places nearby
Guides around San Francisco
- Moderate Hiking Trails near San Francisco87
- Hiking Trails Under 5 km near San Francisco73
- Best Mountain Hikes near San Francisco16
- Hard Hiking Trails near San Francisco13
- Easy Hiking Trails near San Francisco11
- Family-Friendly Hikes near San Francisco11
- Dog-Friendly Hikes near San Francisco10
- Hiking Trails Over 20 km near San Francisco10
- Best Riverside Hikes near San Francisco7
- Best Long-Distance Hikes near San Francisco5
Frequently asked questions
Plan with more confidence
All planning articles →Choosing a route
How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label
Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.
Read article →Understanding the map
Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb
Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.
Read article →Planning your day
Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace
Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.
Read article →