|
Hiking & Backpacking Regional Guide
California Trail Guide
Desert. Alpine tundra. Rainforest. Breezy coast. California is like the superstore of hiking: it's all here—you just have to know where to find it. If you look at a map of northern California, you'll see mountains: from the Warners in the extreme northeast to the central spine of the Cascades (home of Mount Shasta) to the Klamaths and the Siskiyous in the northwest, these vast wildernesses are California redwood country. And don't miss the northern California coast, where you'll find Redwood National Park and, if you're lucky, the fabled Lost Coast.
Moving south, you'll encounter Lassen Peak, a slumbering volcanic giant, and beyond that, America's most storied wilds, bar none: the High Sierra. Along with half-a-dozen national forests, all the household names are here: Tahoe, Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon.
South and east of the High Sierra, snow-capped peaks and lush forest give way to barren Death Valley and the rattlesnake-ridden Mojave. The mountains rise again on the southern California coast around Los Angeles. It's amazing how much great hiking is here so close to so much sprawl: the San Bernadinos, the Sierra Madre, and all the way up to Big Sur. East of L.A. is famed Joshua Tree National Park, and south is yet more desert, including Anza-Borrego.
Go as far south in California as it's possible to go, and you'll reach the little-know town of Campo and the Mexican border. You probably don't know Campo, but you should: it's home to the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches from Campo to Canada and passes through a more diverse collection of ecosystems, including most mentioned here, than virtually any other trail in America.
Still can't decide? Check out GORP's picks for the best hiking in the state, or go straight to our regional index.
California Regional Index
Mountains of Northern California
Northern California Coast
Sierra and Lassen
Southern California Mountains
Desert Country
California Coastal Trail In the making—a 1200-mile trail that runs through desert and rainforest, past cities and wilderness, across beaches and along high ridges.
Hiking with Kids in the Santa Monica Mountains Relief from LA for the whole family.
Whitney or Won't He Hiking to the highest point in the lower 48 is an extreme test of planning, perseverance, and patience.
Inyo Mountain Wilderness A spectacular desert range soaring from the Saline Valley to Waucoba Mountain.
Mojave National Preserve California's vast desert wilderness attracts hikers, wildlife lovers and amateur geologists to a remarkable ecosystem.
Weird Music and Wild Ways Camping in the eerie stillness of a California desert winter.
San Bernardino National Forest Deservedly one of the most popular national forest, with over 500 miles of trails.
San Gorgonio Wilderness Southern California's highest peak is also tip tops for hikers.
Southern California
Discovering Lassen - Find the inside scoop on Lassen Volcanic National Park, with hidden gems revealed.
South Sierra Backpacking - Superb high country exploration in and around Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Parks.
Trails of San Gabriel - Turn your back on the buzz of Los Angeles and find peace in these gentle mountains and craggy canyons.
No Snow Zones - Los Padres National Forest, where hikers go to escape the snow in California.
Coastal San Diego -
Short walks along the Pacific in the sun-kissed land of eternal good weather.
Trinity Alps Wilderness Northern California's most spectacular mountain wilderness.
San Jacinto Wilderness Precipitous granite peaks outside of Palm Springs.
Ventana Wilderness Low elevation, but rugged hiking in the Santa Lucia range south of San Francisco—when the Sierra is snowbound. . .
Big Tree Bonanza - Three primo hikes in Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park, from short and moderate to a 46-mile challenge.
Lassen Volcanic National Park Cinder cones, bubbling mud, stunning views and forests: Lassen is all about hiking.
Lassen National Forest From high to low, more than 460 miles of trail over incredibly varied terrain.
Walking with the Stars Three great hikes near Los Angeles.
Summiting Mt. Shasta Legends and practicalities of getting to the top.
Leaving Los Angeles Angeles National Forest has a wealth of near-wilderness escapes just outside the city.
Eldorado National Forest - Over 350 miles of trails in the high (and low) Sierra.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area - Coastal solitude in San Francisco city limits, not to mention the Marin Headlands and more.
Joshua Tree National Park From easy ambles to clambering over big, big boulders.
Soaking in the South Cascades Rustic hotsprings near Lassen Volcanic National Park and Mount Shasta.
Death Valley National Park Stellar hiking and desert solitude in the vast Mojave.
Sierra National Forest Yosemite's next door neighbor has lots grandeur of its own, without the crowds.
Point Reyes National Seashore California dreaming -- secluded beaches, exotic wildlife and wilderness hikes.
Death Valley's Wildrose Peak A day hike up to a summit from which the highest and lowest land in the Lower 48 can be seen.
Marin County's Cataract Trail -- Don't let the name fool you—an easy walk in the woods of Mount Tamalpais.
The Tao of the Desert -- Lessons learned in Joshua Tree National Park .
Destination: Desolation -- A hiking journal about exploring Desolation Wilderness in the Eldorado National Forest
Tahoe Rim Trail -- Building a 150 mile trail for hiker, horseback rider, and skier around the world's largest and deepest alpine lake.
Day Hiking in the Eastern Sierras narrative of some great day hiking opportunities!
Hiking and Backpacking in Inyo National Forest In-depth info, maps, and photos on trails for dayhiking and backpacking in Inyo's High Sierra!
Tahoe National Forest Hiking & Backpacking From the heights of the Sierra Buttes to the solitude of the American River Canyon, hikers will be rewarded with beautiful scenery, occasional glimpses of wildlife, and trails suited to every taste and ability.
Hiking, Backpacking & Horseback Riding in Los Padres National Forest
A couple of dozen trail descriptions including the Santa Inez Mountains outside Santa Barbara.
Hiking in Mendocino National Forest
a bunch of dayhikes, including the Yolla Bolly Mountains north of San Francisco.
Trails on the Modoc National Forest
a trio of dayhikes.
Selected Hiking Trails in Plumas National Forest a ton of hikes, including the Feather Falls National Recreation Trail, an 8 mile round trip through ecologically rich lands to the 6th highest waterfall in the U.S.
Hiking in Yosemite National Park
GORP's favorites out of Tuolomne Meadows!
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Selected Trails A sampling.
Joshua Tree National Park
A sampling
Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park A sampler in Cedar Grove, Giant Forest and Grant Grove.
Hiking in Sequoia National Forest Dozens of hikes, including one through a grove of hundreds of giants!
Six Rivers National Forest Hiking and Backpacking Trails
a trio of trails in the forest plus a bunch in the Smith River National Recreation Area.
 Check out California hiking links around the web.
Return to  Top
|
from Away.com
Powered by Trip.com
