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6 Epic Northern California Hiking Trails Worth the Drive from San Francisco
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6 Epic Northern California Hiking Trails Worth the Drive from San Francisco

While we’re lucky to have tons of great hikes here in the Bay Area, you’ll have to hit the road to get to some of the best spots Northern California has to offer.

From Yosemite to the Trinity Alps, these six destination hikes are worth the road trip adventures.

Yosemite National Park: Half Dome (14 to 16 miles round trip)

(Courtesy of Pixabay/cyndipadilla/CC)

If there’s one hike in California that you’ll never regret driving several hours for, it’s Half Dome. The trail, an incredible 4,800-foot climb that winds its way up fixed metal cables along the rock face, is nothing short of iconic. Hiking Half Dome isn’t as easy as just showing up at YosemiteHowever, to protect the world-class route and ensure the safety of Half Dome hikers, Only 300 trail permits They are issued daily between Memorial Day and mid-October (225 for day hikers, 75 for backpackers) and day hikers can apply for the permit lottery in the preseason or 48 hours in advance. Remember that this 14- to 16-mile hike is one of the most challenging and dangerous in the country. Once you start climbing those cables, there’s no turning back.

Distance from SF: 4.5 hours (193 miles)

// nps.gov/yose

Big Pine Creek, Inyo National Forest: North Fork Trail (9.5 miles round trip)

(Courtesy of @vagando.se)

First lake on the North Forks Trail in the Inyo National Forest.

Located between Mammoth and Sequoia-Kings Canyon, the North Fork of Big Pine Creek Trail It is an incredibly beautiful mountain landscape with glacier-fed lakes and rocky peaks. 9.5 miles round trip The trail meanders through canyons and forests, gradually ascending to the first of the trail’s seven crystal-clear pools. From First Lake, the route continues to Second Lake, a somewhat more beautiful body of water than its predecessor, located at the foot of Temple Crag. If you want to spend more time exploring (a few miles further on are Third Lake and the rapidly shrinking Palisade Glacier), pick up an $11 entrance fee. Permit to spend the night in wilderness areas of the Inyo National Forest before leaving.

Distance from SF: 7 hours (322 miles)

//fs.usda.gov

Lassen Volcanic National Park: Lassen Peak Trail (4.9 miles roundtrip)

(Courtesy of @johnaheywood)

President Teddy Roosevelt once said that nothing in the world “is worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty.” He was not talking about the Lassen Peak Trailbut it might as well have been: This hike is steep, rocky, and sometimes snowy during the summer months. But the views from the 8,500-foot summit of the national park’s namesake are unmatched: a panoramic feast of rugged mountains and volcanic craters graced with alpine lakes and evergreen groves. Just remember that the Lassen Peak Trail It’s only five miles long, and once you reach the top, the return is pleasantly downhill.

Distance from SF: 4.5 hours (243 miles)

// nps.gov/lavo

Bridgeport, CA: Travertine Hot Springs (2.4 miles roundtrip)

(Courtesy of @backpack.epic.adventures)

Travertine hot springs It’s not just a destination hike—it’s a hike to an epic destination. The short, well-maintained trail is easy enough to draw crowds on summer weekends, but if you do a little exploring once you reach the travertine-edged natural pool just over a mile from the parking lot, you’ll find that there are more places to relax during the day than first meets the eye (rumored to be 10 pools in total). Located near the town of Bridgeport, the views of the distant Sierra are gorgeous, and in spring and fall, the already beautiful landscape is transformed into something truly magical by wildflowers and changing colors.

Distance from SF: 5.25 hours (230 miles)

// alltrails.com

Trinity Alps Wilderness Area: Canyon Creek Trail (17 miles round trip)

(Courtesy of @joelhuntmusic)

Possibly the most impressive trail in California’s most underrated recreation area, Trinity Alps, the Canyon Creek Trail Canyon Creek Trail is an adventurer’s paradise. Surrounded by jagged granite peaks, dotted with cool blue lakes, and bordered by a snowy river with multiple waterfalls, this hike is just about perfect. With 17 miles of often challenging terrain, the Canyon Creek Trail pushes the limits of a day hike (camping permits are free if you want to stay overnight) but is honestly worth the trip.

Distance from SF: 5.25 hours (282 miles)

//fs.usda.gov

King Range Wilderness Area: Lost Coast via Horse Mountain Creek (9.5 miles round trip)

(Courtesy of @lonestarhiker)

For a coastal walk as spectacular as those in Point Reyes National Seashore But with only a fraction of the traffic, you’ll want to head to the Lost Coast. It’s best known for its multi-day backpacking route. In fact, you can get to the best part of this route. 9.5 mile day hike Through the King Range Wilderness. From an unpaved gravel road, the trail slowly descends through groves of trees that gradually give way to coastal dunes and a beach so secluded you’ll be one of the few to see it up close. The return is mostly uphill, so take some time at the water’s edge to recharge before setting off.

Distance from SF: 4.75 hours (232 miles)

// blm.gov/visit/king-range-wilderness

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