57 trails · 525 trail miles · Best season: April – November (varies by region)
California has more hiking variety than any other state — from the granite domes of Yosemite and ancient sequoia groves to coastal redwoods and stark desert landscapes. The PCT runs the state's entire length.
Best Season
April – November (varies by region)
Terrain
Sierra Nevada, coastal cliffs, redwood forests, desert
Top Trail: Mount Whitney Trail
California has 57 hiking trails covering 525 trail miles across 3 national parks and 49 state parks.
The best hiking season in California is April – November (varies by region). The terrain includes sierra nevada, coastal cliffs, redwood forests, desert.
The top hiking destinations in California include Yosemite National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Death Valley National Park, Redwood National Park.
Notable long-distance and iconic trails in California include John Muir Trail (211 mi), Pacific Crest Trail (CA section, 1,690 mi), Lost Coast Trail (25 mi).
The highest-rated trail in California is Mount Whitney Trail. The average trail difficulty across the state is Moderate.