13 Best Hiking Trails in San Jose

Having grown up in the Bay Area, I’ve always been thankful for how many hikes we have nearby. We are blessed with great weather year-round. I’ve put together my all-time favorite hiking trails in San Jose.

Information for San Jose Hikes

Located in the South Bay, San Jose is surrounded by tons of mountains and parks on all sides. Although its neighbor San Francisco up north is typically foggy, San Jose usually has mild weather in the winter and hot temperatures in the summer. In fact, summer weather in Santa Clara Valley can be anywhere from 10 to 15 degrees hotter than both San Francisco and Santa Cruz!

Silicon Valley has some of the best hikes on the West Coast, and you don’t need to go far to experience them.

The hiking trails in San Jose tend to be characterized by dirt paths, gentle elevation (instead of switchbacks), oak trees, sagebrush, and occasionally animals like deer and rabbits. Because you are usually surrounded by valleys, there are also great views.

Where to go Hiking in San Jose

Where are the best places to hike in San Jose, California? Keep reading for some of my favorite hiking trails in San Jose and further out in the greater Bay Area.

Hikes in San Jose

1. Almaden Lake Loop

1.5 miles | Flat | Not Dog Friendly for some portions

This quick, urban hike is a good option for a family-friendly stroll around Almaden Lake.

Although parts of it are dog friendly, there are also other parts where dogs are not allowed. If you want to bring your dog to Almaden Lake Loop, you will need to hike a there-and-back instead of a loop.

2. Deep Gulch to Mine Hill Trail, Almaden Quicksilver County Park

3 miles | 900 feet elevation gain | Dog Friendly

There are many hiking trails in San Jose Almaden Quicksilver County Park. This part specifically is full of interesting historic sites. At one time, it was one of the largest producing quicksilver (Mercury) mines. This Deep Gulch to Mine Hill Trail will take you to visit some of the historic sites from the Hacienda Entrance parking area.

For an added challenge, try the New Almaden Trail which cuts across the entire park. This trail is more difficult as it cuts up and down the park and is 14 miles round trip!

Read more about the historic sites and get a park map at the Almaden Quicksilver County Park website.

3. Coyote Creek Trail, Hellyer County Park 

Coyote Creek Trail is part of the longer Coyote Creek Parkway, a paved trail that goes for a distance of 15 miles. 2 miles of Coyote Creek Trail runs through Hellyer County Park which is located in South San Jose, just bordering Highway 101.

This is a very popular hiking trail in San Jose for bicyclists, parents with strollers, and hikers. It gets busy, especially on the weekends.

4. Alum Rock Park in Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve

Alum Rock Park is located in the Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve near the Berryessa area of San Jose. There are three great hiking trails in San Jose here: Penitencia Creek Trail, Eagle Rock Loop Trail, and Aquila Loop Trail. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed at Alum Rock Park.

Penitencia Creek Trail is only 3.5 miles and mostly flat. This is a very typical Bay Area hike with dirt paths and holly leaf-cherry, sagebrush, and oak trees. If you are lucky, you will also run into some of these Bay Area animals – black-tailed deer, rabbits, hawks and turkey vultures.

Eagle Rock Loop Trail is another easy hike in San Jose at 2.7 miles total distance. 

Aquila Loop Trail is a short 1.1-mile hike further into the park. You will see gently rolling hills.

5. Coyote Peak and Ridge Trail Loop, Santa Teresa County Park

3.8 miles | 700 feet elevation gain | Dog Friendly

The Santa Teresa Hills has a rich history of ranch life back in the late 1800s. Santa Teresa County Park has many good hiking trails in San Jose. It is located in the south of San Jose, on the way to Morgan Hill. There are a lot of easy hikes here for some quick exercise or a ‘hot girl walk.’

On the Coyote Peak and Ridge Trail Loop, you will get great views of the surrounding Bay Area. This is one of the best easy hiking trails in San Jose for a view at less than 4 miles.

6. Cottle Trail to Calero Reservoir and Lisa Killough Trail, Rancho San Vicente Open Space Preserve

8.3 miles | 700 feet elevation gain | Dog Friendly

Rancho San Vincente is part of Calero County Park, of the Santa Clara Valley’s more diverse park areas. There is boating in the Calero Reservoir and also a variety of hikes around the area.

One of the best hiking trails in San Jose is taking Cottle Trail to Calero Reservoir and then back to Lisa Killough Trail. You will get rewarding views at Lisa’s lookout but also some nice water views as you pass along the reservoir. Although this is one of the longer hiking trails in San Jose, it is worth the view and diversity.

Make sure you download the Rancho San Vicente Open Space Preserve map beforehand.

7. Mount Sizer Loop, Henry W. Coe State Park

16 miles | 4200 feet elevation gain | Not Dog-friendly

If you are looking for the most challenging day hikes in the SF Bay Area, this is it. This is a long hike that can be very dusty and relentlessly hot in the summer. But it makes for a challenging hike which means it will be rewarding after you finish.

Of all the hiking trails in San Jose, this is the one I would caution against if the weather is too hot. Although you will get amazing views of the surrounding area and mountain peaks, there can be very little shade in some portions.

8. Rose Peak, Ohlone Wilderness in the Sunol Wilderness

19.5 miles | 4000 feet elevation gain | Dog Friendly but not recommended

Ok this actually might be the most challenging day hike in the SF Bay Area. At 19.5 miles, this hike up to Rose Peak is not for the faint of heart. At 3,817 feet, Rose Peak is one of the tallest peaks in the surrounding area. This hiking trail in San Jose is no joke!

Although the 19 miles is a little tedious, there are some good stopping points along the way like Little Yosemite, a scenic gorge on Alameda Creek. 

Bring lots of water and hiking safety gear as you head to Rose Peak. You may be able to pick up some water refills at the campgrounds along the way, but I suggest calling ahead to make sure.

You will need a permit to hike the Ohlone Wilderness.

Note: Another great hike not mentioned here is the Alviso Slough Trail. Unfortunately, the hike is closed for construction due to the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project.

Hikes Beyond San Jose

9. Deer Hollow Farm, Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve

2.8 miles | 200 feet elevation gain | Not Dog Friendly

This kid-friendly hike to Deer Hollow Farm is located near Cupertino and Los Altos at Rancho San Antonio. Although this is not a hiking trail in San Jose, Rancho San Antonio is only about 10-15 minutes away.

There are many trails in this park, but the quick 2.8-mile stroll to an open farm might be one of my favorites! This is an enjoyable short-distance hike that kids will enjoy. The dirt path is easy to walk, and you may see bikers here too. San Jose trails never disappoint.

10. Seven Springs Loop Trail, Fremont Older Open Space Preserve

2.6 miles | 560 feet elevation gain | Dog-friendly

Fremont Older Open Space Preserve is a popular hiking area closer to Cupertino and Saratoga. Although this is not directly in San Jose, it is very popular for those living in the South Bay.

Seven Springs Loop is an easy and very popular hike that will give you views of the surrounding towns.

11. Ridge Trail, Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

3.6 miles | 600 feet elevation gain | Not Dog-friendly

People will ask me: What are the hidden gems in San Jose, CA? As a local, this is one of my favorite hikes. Although it is technically in San Mateo County, the Russian Ridge and really anywhere through Route 35 is an amazing day trip or date option.

You will get spectacular views along the Ridge Trail. The best time to go is 1-2 hours before sunset so you can see the sun glowing across the mountains. It’s truly a beautiful sight! Just make sure you are back before dark.

As an added hidden tip for the San Jose and Cupertino area, check out of the mountains that are neighboring you on the west. Head to Route 9 and check out places like Castle Rock or Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve.

12. Bayview and Meadowlark Loop Trail, Coyote Hills Regional Park

4.9 miles | 200 feet elevation gain | Dog-friendly

Coyote Hills Regional Park is a beautiful park near Fremont, CA. There are tons of trail options here for hikers, horses, and bikers.

One of my favorite hiking loops is the Bayview and Meadowlark Loop. It takes you around the marshes with a nice view of the water. You will also likely run into some sheep!

13. Berry Creek Falls Loop, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

10.2 miles | 2,339 feet elevation gain | Not Dog-friendly

A question I have gotten before is: “What are the best scenic hikes in the Bay Area for intermediate hikers?” Waterfalls hikes in Big Basin Redwoods State Park have always been my favorite.

Due to the ongoing drought in California, there are not many hiking trails in San Jose with waterfalls. Everything is dried up! To get to the waterfalls, you will have to venture out further west by the redwoods and ocean coastline like in Santa Cruz.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park is home to our beautiful redwood trees and also Berry Creek Falls. Although this hike takes you 10 miles in distance to complete, it is a rewarding hike with a waterfall.

Go to the Big Basin Redwoods State Park website for the latest information on trail openings and closures with the fires.

Looking for more hiking ideas in Santa Cruz?

Recommended Hiking Gear

When going on the best hiking trails in San Jose, you will want to make sure you have the right hiking gear.

Hiking Boots / Shoes

Here are some of my favorite hiking boots. I personally have Hoka’s because I don’t need as much sturdy ankle support, but the right hiking shoe will depend on your individual needs. Most of the hiking trails in San Jose will be doable with just sneakers and not formal hiking boots.

Sun Protection

Sun protection is a must whenever you are hiking, but especially hiking out in San Jose and the general Bay Area. Here are some items I use for sun protection every time I am out hiking.

Water Storage

My general rule of thumb is 1L of water per hour while on the hiking trails in San Jose. Here are some of my favorite water storage containers – I especially love the Drom Bags. In the summer when it is above 80 degrees F, I will sometimes go up to 1.5L of water per hour.

Summer Hiking Clothing

Summer hiking clothing will keep you cooler than your normal workout gear. This is crucial for hiking trails in San Jose- especially in the summer. You definitely want to stay away from cotton and look for clothing that is breathable and sweat-wicking. For more details on why that is, check my post on Essential Hiking Clothes!

Summary

There are so many hiking trails in San Jose, it can be hard to choose from. There are a ton of parks in and near San Jose that offer a variety of hiking trails. From more casual hikes to strenuous hikes with lots of elevation, San Jose is a great area for hiking.

It can get pretty hot in the summer, so hiking in San Jose should be done in the morning when it is not too hot outside. In the winter though, the hiking trails in San Jose are perfect because the weather is so pleasant.

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