California Hiking: The Best Places to Go

When you’re thinking of enjoying some of the many California hiking trails, you’re going to be in for a real treat.

This state offers you a variety of amazing mountain hiking areas along with some incredible state and national parks where you can stretch your legs and enjoy the wonderful wilderness that surrounds you. Let’s take a look at some of the best places to go when you want to enjoy some hiking.

But First…

Before you head out on the trails, there are some things you should take with you. Whether you are day hiking or will spend the night in the wilderness, these items are meant to help keep you safe and provide you with at least a minimum level of comfort. Make sure you have:

•Navigation –Take a topographical map of the area and a compass

•Sun Protection –A large-billed hat and some sunscreen

•Insulation –At least a windbreaker and a poncho

•Illumination –Headlamp and/or flashlight

•First Aid Supplies –Check to make sure it has what you need

•Fire –Matches and Firestarter cubes

•Tools –A good multi-tool is a must

•Nutrition –Some lightweight food

•Hydration –Plenty of water

•Emergency Shelter –A lightweight tend

Put all of these items in a small backpack that can be easily taken with you. The water can go in a portable pouch with a straw for you to drink from.

Let’s Get Hiking

John Muir Trail

This California hiking trail is part of the Pacific Crest Trail and it stretches along 211 miles from Yosemite National Park through Kings Canyon ending in the Sequoia National Park. You might not want to complete the entire trail, but it’s certainly worth the time if you do. This can be an amazing place to go hiking and see what nature has to offer.

Fern Canyon

It may be hard to drive to Fern Canyon, but once you get there, you’ll have some amazing hiking trails to enjoy where you can wander through nature and enjoy what the wilderness has to offer. Every time you make a turn in the canyon you’ll find another amazing view that makes it easy to enjoy. Make sure you take your camera along for some great pictures.

Yosemite Falls Trail

The tallest waterfall in America is located along this trail and will give you the most fantastic view of the area around the water flowing over the rocks. This is one of the most popular California hiking trails and it will give you some amazing views, even when you’re not near the Yosemite Falls area. You’ll be impressed with Columbia Rock which is a 1,000-foot ascent to give you an amazing view of much of the park.

San Andreas Fault Line Trail

This hiking trail is relatively short and easy to make it the perfect hike to take with small children. It doesn’t take long to complete this trail and you’ll see amazing flowers in bloom if you head to this trail in the springtime. After you’re done, you can say that you’ve seen the San Andreas Fault line and take some impressive pictures along the way.

Whiskeytown Falls

Another relatively short hike, you will have to pay to view the falls by trekking up and down along this trail. Among the California hiking trails, this is one of the most beautiful. Whiskeytown Falls is located about 45 minutes outside of Redding and the hike itself is only three miles long. It will seem like a lot more because of the up and down trail you have to deal with on your way to a gorgeous site.

Mount Shasta

The majestic view of Mount Shasta is inspiring and has become one of the most popular and beautiful places to hike in this state. This is a great place to enjoy nature and you can enjoy the variety of trails. Take the Gray Butte Trail if you want a 3.5-mile hike that has an elevation of 7,000 feet that increases by 750 feet during the hike to the end of the trail.

Joshua Tree Short Loop

If you want to enjoy one of the desert areas during your California hiking adventures, this is one for you. Located in the Joshua Tree National Park, you can enjoy a nice hike that only elevates about 300 meters from the starting point. You’ll see some of the gorgeous rock formations and the beauty of the desert around you that will give you some amazing photos and memories to enjoy.