Elevate Your Spring with These Beginner-Friendly Hiking Trails
Photo by Amabelle Nguyen ‘25
Who doesn’t love breathing in fresh air, basking in warm sunshine, and enjoying gorgeous views? Hiking is a popular pastime for many nature lovers, especially during the spring and summer as temperatures start rising. Though some believe there is no room on the trail for novices, that could not be further from the truth. Hiking is for everyone! The following mile-long routes scattered across the Bay Area are beginner-friendly but just as rewarding and enjoyable.
South Bay
San Jose residents don’t have to search far for top-tier trails. Enjoy the sights of rolling grassy hills and serene lakes at Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve’s Aquila Loop Trail and the Almaden Lake Park. They range between 1.1 and 1.4 miles, which both take around half an hour to complete. Venture further south into Morgan Hill for the Uvas Canyon Short Waterfall Loop in Uvas Canyon County Park. This 1.8-mile trail can be finished in a little over an hour. The view of the beautiful waterfall at the end makes this lengthy hike worth it!
Santa Cruz County
Just a 45-minute drive away from the South Bay, Santa Cruz County is an area with varied terrains and spectacular sights. In Santa Cruz, Old Cove Landing Trail is a 2.4-mile loop that takes an average of 45 minutes to complete, with a splendid beachside view. In Felton, the Eagle Creek Trail at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is 1.7 miles, walkable in a little under an hour. The majestic redwood trees native to the Santa Cruz region are the main highlight of the route.
San Francisco
Though San Francisco is known for its skyscrapers and urban landscape, there is plenty of nature and trails to observe. The Cliff House Walk in Land’s End Trail at Golden Gate National Recreation and Mount Davidson at Mount Davidson Park are about a mile long. Taking only half an hour to complete, hikers are greeted with the sight of a beach nestled among rocky mountains and an aerial view of the city in its glory.
If you stay local for spring break, hiking is the perfect activity to disconnect from your screen and reconnect with nature. An opportunity to explore hidden gems in the area, these trails can feel like a mini getaway without even leaving town. These trails are a fantastic way to ease your way in as a rookie. Strap on sneakers, wear some comfortable athleisure, and try out one of these hikes!
