As one of Silicon Valley’s most renowned tech cities, you might not know that San Jose has good hiking, but this city is rich in hiking options for everyone!

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The best hikes in San Jose

The northern

California

city of San Jose boasts loads of hiking trails ranging from moderate to challenging—and with access to foothills and mountains all around, you are bound to find a trail that quenches your hiking thirst!

Best for views: Castle Rock State Park

Distance: Varies

Difficulty: Moderate

Trail type: Out and back, loop

Elevation gain: N/A

Parking: On-site and nearby

Dogs: Yes

Starting point: Saratoga Gap Trail, Los Gatos, CA

Castle Rock State Park is nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains right next to San Jose. The park has tons of trail options giving you breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys and California’s famous redwoods.

Many hikers visit Castle Rock for its numerous outdoor bouldering and rock climbing locations—and if you’re not into climbing, you can enjoy watching climbers along the trail as you hike!

Take a short hike to make it family-friendly, or book a camping ground along the trail to complete the Skyline to Sea backpacking route that begins at Castle Rock.

Pro Tip Arrive early to get an on-site parking spot and bring cash to pay the parking fee.

Best for dogs: Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Distance: Varies

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

Trail type: Varies

Elevation Gain: N/A

Parking: On-site and street

Dogs: Yes

Starting Point: 21785 Almaden Rd, San Jose, CA

Almaden Quicksilver might be San Jose’s most popular hiking location, with dozens of miles of trails to hike—you could visit every weekend and see something new every time.

Many hikers and trail runners bring dogs along to hike at Quicksilver—but, as always, be sure to keep your dogs leashed so they stay safe! And bring lots of water for yourself and your dog.

Quicksilver has multiple parking locations and trailheads, and most have bathrooms available, making it a super convenient day trip.

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Best for Instagram: Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve

Distance: 1.1-9.8 miles

Difficulty: Varies

Trail type: Varies

Elevation Gain: N/A

Parking: Yes

Dogs?: N/A

Starting Point: Sierra Rd, San Jose, CA

While Mission Peak might be the most Instagrammed hiking spot in the San Jose area, Sierra Vista is equally Instagrammable and more original. The open space preserve has various trails with varying distances—and you don’t have to walk far to get a photo location that will be perfect for your grid.

Pro Tip Want to make your pictures look extra groovy? Bring a film camera—a disposable Kodak will even do!

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Best for families: Montgomery Hill

Distance: 1.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Trail type: Loop

Elevation Gain: 239 ft

Parking: On-site

Dogs?: Yes

Starting Point: Montgomery Hill Trail, San Jose, CA

This short and flat hike in San Jose is a great spot for families and small children. Dogs on leashes are welcome, too.

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Best for a challenge: Mission Peak

Distance: 6 miles

Difficulty: Challenging

Trail type: Out-and-back

Elevation Gain: 2,517 ft

Parking: On-site

Dogs?: Yes

Starting Point: Mission Peak Regional Preserve, Fremont, CA

Climb to the top of Mission Peak to take a picture at one of San Jose’s most Instagrammable vistas. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen!

This steep hike takes around 3-4 hours to complete and is completely unshaded. You’ll want to bring tons of water and sun protection and be extra careful on hot days since heat exhaustion on this trail is common.

Pro Tip For an extra challenge, try doing a trail run at Mission Peak!

Best for dates: Rancho San Antonio

Distance: Varies

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Trail type: Loop

Elevation Gain: N/A

Parking: On-site

Dogs?: Yes

Starting Point: Rancho San Antonio County Park, Cupertino, CA

With over 25 miles of trails, Rancho San Antonio has tons of hiking options from easy to moderate, so you’ll have no trouble holding a steady conversation as you explore the park.

Much of Rancho San Antonio is shaded, and some trails will bring you past various entertainment (like a small animal farm) that will keep your interests piqued.

Even though it’s shaded, be sure to bring water and sunscreen in case you find yourself on a sunny portion of a trail.

Tips for hiking in San Jose

With San Jose’s abundant hiking options, you’ll want to make sure you are adequately prepared for any trail you hit. Here are our favorite tips for hiking in San Jose:

Prepare for varying weather conditions. San Jose can get hot—but it can also get chilly on mountain trails, even in the summer. Check the weather for conditions, and bring a light jacket in a backpack if you plan to hike in the early morning or late evening. If you are hiking in winter, you’ll want to wear a sweatshirt or jacket.

Bring sunscreen! Even in the winter, San Jose can be sunny, and some trails offer little to no shade. Apply sunscreen before your hike to make sure you are protected from the sun, and bring sun protection like sunglasses and a good hat.

Watch out for mountain lions. Mountain lions are a common predator in the San Jose area, and sightings are somewhat common. Avoid solo hiking when possible, and keep small children close to you. If you insist on hiking alone, consider carrying bear spray as emergency protection (yes, you can use it on mountain lions).

Bring water. Hiking in any area requires hydration—so bring 1-2 bottles of water with you. On hot days, bring more water than you think you’ll need.

How to save money on car insurance in San Jose

Most hiking in San Jose will require having a car to drive to trailheads—and that means you’ll need ample

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FAQs

Can you hike in San Jose right now?

Yes! Essentially all San Jose hiking trails are open year-round, and winter conditions are moderate. Just check for trail closures if conditions are wet or rainy.

Is San Jose good for hiking?

You bet! San Jose has dozens of hiking spots in the area ranging from easy walks through nature preserves to challenging mountain climbs.

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