947 Calming Hikes by jamiegarrard
first prev 1 next lastThese hikes are peaceful. They are hikes that are a little more simple, but help lift your spirits if you're a little stressed or anxious. Take the time to enjoy yourself on these hikes.
East Ridge Trail
Oakland, California
6.9 miles E of Oakland, CaliforniaA wide, gentle ridge trail weaving through Oakland's redwood-covered hills to a waterfall — accessible all year with ladder bug clusters in the trees each winter.
Hike Added on 7 Sep 2018 0.5-0.6 mi
Grizzly Peak Trail
Berkeley, California
2.1 miles NE of Berkeley, CaliforniaA trail through the Berkeley Hills with sweeping San Francisco Bay views at the peak — great for runners, dog walkers, and out-of-town guests on a clear day.
Hike, Mountain Bike Added on 7 Sep 2018
Muir Woods National Monument
Mill Valley, California
1.9 miles W of Mill Valley, CaliforniaA national monument with several suggested hikes from the visitors center, including a 2-mile loop leaving the boardwalk into the towering old-growth redwoods, plus guided tours and programs.
Hike Added on 25 Jul 2018 5.6 mi
Quarry Trail
Cool, California
2.0 miles N of Cool, CaliforniaA riverside hike along an old limestone railway line to a dramatic amphitheater quarry — wildflowers peak April through June, and the historic railway story (scrap metal for WWII) adds a fascinating layer.
Hike Added on 20 Jul 2018 0.3 mi
Burney Falls
Burney, California
9.2 miles N of Burney, CaliforniaA 129-foot year-round waterfall draped in green fern curtains in Shasta County — accessible from a parking lot with multiple trail angles, best visited early morning or just before sunset.
Hike Added on 20 Jul 2018 1.3 mi
Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail
Orick, California
2.5 miles NE of Orick, CaliforniaA short, quiet 1.5-mile round-trip trail through towering redwoods at 1,200 feet, often in the clouds, dedicated to Lady Bird Johnson by President Nixon in 1969.
Hike Added on 20 Jul 2018 0.1-0.9 mi
Natural Bridges State Park / Monarch Butterfly Trail
Santa Cruz, California
2.0 miles SW of Santa Cruz, CaliforniaA coastal California trail where Monarch butterflies blanket eucalyptus trees from mid-October to mid-February, leading to a sandy beach with a dramatic rock arch and stunning sunsets.
Hike Added on 20 Jul 2018 4.0 mi
Palomarin Trail
Bolinas, California
3.7 miles NW of Bolinas, CaliforniaA 5-mile northern Marin coastal hike past ocean overlooks, varying terrain, and forested paths to the stunning Alamere Falls — with an optional Bass Lake swim on the return.
Hike Added on 18 Jul 2018 0.9 mi
Trail of the Cedars
Apgar Village, Glacier National Park
13.2 miles NE of Apgar Village, Glacier National ParkAn easy wheelchair-accessible loop through towering 500-year-old cedars up to 100 feet tall in Glacier National Park, with gorge views of glacial Avalanche Creek and a footbridge over the water.
Hike Added on 9 Jul 2018 0.4 mi
Glen Alpine Falls
South Lake Tahoe, California
6.6 miles SW of South Lake Tahoe, CaliforniaA roadside waterfall near Lake Tahoe — wider than it is tall — with roadside parking, a scenic overlook, and the option to scramble down the rocks for a closer look.
Hike Added on 18 Jun 2018
Fern Canyon
Orick, California
7.9 miles N of Orick, CaliforniaA lush, fern-draped canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods featured in Jurassic Park — just 1 mile of trail with stream crossings, elk on the 8-mile dirt road approach, and a vault toilet at the trailhead.
Hike Added on 31 May 2018
Garden of Eden
Felton, California
2.0 miles SE of Felton, CaliforniaA popular Santa Cruz Mountains swimming hole with sunny beaches, blue water, and cliffs for jumping — multiple pools for all ages, with no campfires allowed in the area.
Hike, Swim Added on 31 May 2018
