Some of the Best hiking Trails in Northern California

Pacific Crest Trail

When people think of California, they usually think of Los Angeles. The Southern California area with Hollywood and the San Diego Zoo steals the spotlight from Northern California, an area with some of the best hiking trails in the United States.

Truly, the northern half of the state is a hiker’s paradise with incredible views from mountaintops, lakesides, or the Pacific Ocean. Whether you’re looking for cascading waterfalls or stunning vistas, Northern California has an option for your next beautiful hike.

We’ll go over some of the best places for an easy hike and longer adventures. Many of these will be found in the state’s spectacular national parks.

Lost coast trail
Lost Coast Trail

The Lost Coast Trail

The Lost Coast Trail is a challenging but incredibly rewarding hike that runs along a remote and rugged section of the coastline. If you want to walk a wilderness area with a view of the Pacific Ocean, this is one of the best hikes you’ll find in the United States for an ocean view.

This nearly 25-mile trail takes you through the King Range National Conservation Area, where you’ll encounter towering redwood forests and colorful wildflowers. Keep an eye out for wildlife like seals, sea lions, and even whales. Your best chance of seeing whales on this trail are in the fall from September through January, or in March through June.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is a great place for hiking enthusiasts, with miles of trails. Located in Humboldt County, California, this state park offers a variety of hiking trails through stunning redwood forests, lush meadows, and a rugged coastline. It’s one of the best places to get a good look at these unique trees. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a beginner, there’s a trail for everyone to explore at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

James Irvine Trail
James Irvine Trail Flickr image by Justin Kern

One of the most popular hiking trails at the park is the James Irvine Trail. This 12-mile trail connects with the Fern Canyon loop and takes hikers through a pristine old-growth redwood forest, showcasing some of the tallest trees in the world. The trail winds through the magnificent Fern Canyon, a narrow gorge lined with lush ferns and waterfalls. The trail eventually leads to the beach, where hikers can enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. You can do this as a loop that starts and ends at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center, which has a parking area. You should bring a paper map with you while you do this trail and consider marking your path as you go. It is decently well-marked but has a lot of options, so it can get confusing.

Fern Canyon
Fern Canyon Flickr image by Kirt Edblom

If you’re visiting Humboldt County, Fern Canyon is a must-see. You will remember seeing it always. There is usually a herd of elk wandering around the Fern Canyon area. Keep a respectful distance from the elk and be careful taking photos. They are used to people enough that as long as you’re cautious, you should be safe. Truly, seeing a herd of wild elk in person is absolutely amazing, and just one of the things that makes Fern Canyon and James Irvine Trail so special.

Fern Canyon
Panorama of Fern Canyon by Wolfman

If you just want a short hike, don’t skip Fern Canyon. Just do the Fern Canyon “lollypop” loop, which is about a mile-long, round trip. You will still likely see wild elk, and you will see the 50-foot walls of the canyon covered in ferns. Be aware that sometimes this canyon floods in the winter which moves logs, and you may need to climb over logs when you’re at the base of the canyon. It is a steep climb up the canyon with 150 feet of elevation gain. Waterproof footwear that is still very solid for the climb would be recommended here.

Another of the popular trails here at the park is the Gold Bluffs Beach Trail. It is possible to do this connected with Fern Canyon as a loop with Miner’s Ridge Trail, Clintonia Trailer, and Gold Bluffs Beach as a loop. This will be about 7 miles and will have 790 feet of elevation gain. This round-trip trail starts at the visitor center and takes hikers through a beautiful coastal prairie and past ancient Native American sites. The trail eventually leads to the stunning Gold Bluffs Beach, where hikers can take a dip in the ocean or simply relax and take in the breathtaking views.

One of the best things about hiking at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife. The park is home to a diverse range of animals, including Roosevelt elk, black bears, coyotes, and mountain lions. Hikers should be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to avoid encounters with wildlife. The elk are a very common sight, and you need to be aware because in the woods, you might not see them until they’re quite close.

Overall, hiking at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is an unforgettable experience. With its stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and challenging trails, the park offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, you’re sure to have a great time exploring this majestic destination.

Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta is one of Northern California’s most iconic peaks, and hiking to its summit is a bucket-list adventure for many. The climb is steep and challenging, but the views from the top are truly spectacular. You’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

You can climb to the top of Mount Shasta via the Avalanche Gulch trail, though it’s not for the faint of heart. It is a popular trail that is around 11 miles round trip. You’ll climb up 7,300 feet in elevation gain. It offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

There is also Panther Meadow Trail. This is usually considered an easy route. It is approximately a 1-mile round trip. It’s popular, and you’ll see quite a few people along the way. You’ll get great views of the mountain on this short hike.

For a more moderate challenge, try the Heart Lake Trail starting out at Castle Lake. This is a 3-mile loop. This one is best done during the summer months.

Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail runs from Mexico to Canada, and Northern California is home to some of its most beautiful sections. The trail winds through the Sierra Nevada mountains, passing by alpine lakes, snow-capped peaks, and stunning meadows. Whether you’re planning a through-hike or just a day trip, the Pacific Crest Trail is a must-see for any hiker.

If you’re only going to hike a specific portion of the PCT, go for Sonoran Pass. This area is east of the bay area and is around 9 miles.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy nature walks to challenging summit hikes. The park’s geothermal features, including mud pots and steam vents, make for a truly unique hiking experience. And the summit of Lassen Peak offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

If you only have one or two days in this national park, you might want to try driving through the park and stopping along the way for short hikes. This way, you can see as much of the many diverse areas in the park as possible. In Lassen, it’s easy to just pull over at different stops and hike right off the main road through the park.

Some of the trails you don’t want to miss are Bumpass Hell (2.7 miles round trip), Kings Creek Falls Trail (2.8 miles), and Manzanita Lake Loop (1.9 miles). If you have time, the Cinder Cone Trailer (4.7 miles) is truly amazing. You get the chance to hike around the rim of cinder cones, really seeing the effects of volcanic activity here. There aren’t many other hikes like the Cinder Cone Trail.

Rubicon Trail in South Lake Tahoe
View of Lake Tahoe from the Rubicon Trail by Ken Lund

Rubicon Trail in South Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a stunning alpine lake that straddles the border between California and Nevada. The area is home to dozens of hiking trails, ranging from easy strolls to challenging multi-day treks. Whether you’re looking for panoramic views of the lake or a peaceful hike through the forest, Lake Tahoe has what you’re looking for.

Rubicon Trail in South Lake Tahoe can be a slightly confusing option, but definitely a worthwhile one. The thing that’s unusual here is that while it’s a walking trail, it’s also world-famous as one for driving 4x4s.

This area is north of San Francisco, east of the bay area, and south of Reno, Nevada. The main trail is a 22-mile world-famous route for off-roading with serious 4-wheel drive vehicles. Enthusiasts come here to drive their vehicles over steep inclines with boulders and through deep water crossings. This adventurous 4-wheeling activity offers breathtaking views of the surrounding forests and valleys.

There are also hiking trails here that are gorgeous and meant for outdoor enthusiasts looking to use their legs. These offshoots meant for hiking are still just called the Rubicon Trail, so don’t let the simple naming structure confuse you.

Hikers and backpackers can stick to the trails that run parallel to the main county road.

There are quite a few different routes you can choose for yourself. One is to create a loop starting and ending from the Vikingsholm parking lot in Emerald Bay State Park. From there, you can get a full-day hike of about 11 miles.

Overall, the Rubicon Trail is an unforgettable experience for anyone seeking an adventure in the great outdoors. From the challenging terrain to the breathtaking views, this trail is a must see for off-road enthusiasts, hikers, and nature lovers alike.

Half Dome as seen from Yosemite Falls trail head
Half Dome as seen from Yosemite Falls trailhead. by Breese76

Half Dome in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is home to some of the most iconic hiking spots in the world. From the challenging Half Dome hike to the more leisurely Mist Trail, there’s something for every level of hiker here. The park’s stunning waterfalls, granite cliffs, and ancient forests make it a hiker’s paradise.

Hiking Half Dome in California’s Yosemite National Park is an unforgettable experience for outdoor enthusiasts. This iconic granite dome rises over 4,700 feet above the Yosemite Valley floor and attracts hikers from around the world.

The Half Dome hike is a strenuous 14 to 16-mile round-trip trek. The hike begins at the Happy Isles Trailhead and follows the Mist Trail, which leads hikers to the top of Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. From there, the trail becomes steeper and more challenging as it leads to the base of Half Dome.

The final ascent to the summit of Half Dome is the most challenging part of the hike. Hikers must climb a series of steep cables that run up the smooth granite face of the dome. The cables are anchored to the rock and provide handholds for hikers to pull themselves up the steep slope. The ascent can be intimidating, but hikers are rewarded with stunning views of the Yosemite Valley and surrounding mountains.

To hike Half Dome, hikers must obtain a permit in advance. The National Park Service issues a limited number of permits awarded through a lottery system. The permit is required to climb the cables to the summit of Half Dome, and hikers must carry it with them on the hike.

The Half Dome hike is not for everyone, and hikers should be aware of the risks involved. The trail can be crowded, and the cables can be slippery and dangerous in wet or windy conditions.

Mist Trail
The Mist Trail, looking west from the top of Vernal Fall.

Mist Trail in Yosemite

Instead of doing the entirety of the Half Dome hike, you could also experience Yosemite National Park via the Mist Trail. You have options here. You can do the full seven miles round to Nevada Fall. Or, you can do three miles round trip to Vernal Fall.

Either way, you’re experiencing Yosemite, and you’re seeing waterfalls.

It is still a strenuous hike no matter which way you go because it’s very steep.

The top of Vernal Fall is particularly gorgeous. You will be rewarded with views you’ll remember for the rest of your life for the efforts here.

 John Mure trail
Light filters through the trees along the John Muir Trail.

John Muir Trail

The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a world-renowned hiking trail that stretches over 211 miles through the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. The trail runs from Yosemite National Park in the north to the summit of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States.

The JMT is named after the famous naturalist and conservationist, John Muir, who played a key role in the creation of Yosemite National Park and the protection of other wilderness areas in the United States.

The JMT is a challenging hike. It climbs over several high mountain passes, including the famous Forester Pass. At this point, the trail is at an elevation of 13,153 feet. You will need to train and study on how to breathe at an elevation that high. This pass is not for everyone.

This trail offers unforgettable memories, even if you just hike a small portion of it.

The Best Hikes in Northern California

There are truly hikes in this state for every kind of hiker. You can find multiple great options in this state for hikes that will take you months. You can also see unforgettable views within half an hour of walking.

Whether you’re looking for challenging climbs, stunning vistas, or peaceful walks through ancient forests, Northern California has it all. So grab your hiking boots, pack a lunch, and get ready to explore the best that this amazing region has to offer.

Recent Posts