HILL CLIMB HIKES San Francisco Bay Area

Need a good workout, or just enjoy hiking to the top of tall places? These are the highest and hardest hill hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area.

[{"selector":"#anim-ef38aa16-3368-4acc-8093-58a18485b7e2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2ca78ccd-896a-4dd6-9515-c74fad668f34","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.92356%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d4aa7a34-8bd4-49e3-a2f7-4e48da2b634c","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"translate3d(0, -1130.75377%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"translate3d(0, -317.967960124%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"translate3d(0, -108.100060412%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"translate3d(0, -40.594060343%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"translate3d(0, -17.639758812%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":1600,"fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aa51e772-2189-4029-9084-c7b0072d0778","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"translate3d(0, -2293.41669%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"translate3d(0, -644.908773228%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"translate3d(0, -219.25063556400002%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"translate3d(0, -82.33365917100001%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"translate3d(0, -35.777300364%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":1600,"fill":"both"}] Tap to see the hikes!

WINDY HILL

[{"selector":"#anim-baf364c7-5d12-4055-b5c1-d1668c306a99","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-109.71223%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c9b30d3d-08ae-4d3e-bd0e-4ad634b75320","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e051468b-1977-4d6e-b81c-76f546037121","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7c2686c1-bdeb-4a61-b946-625c96b2169f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f927e476-c126-460a-ab64-aea9c445b8a3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-107.71429%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This peninsula hike packs a punch with steep fire roads leading up to Skyline ridge. Keep an eye out for California poppies in the spring.

LEARN MORE

[{"selector":"#anim-2834f9e6-32b6-48e1-bfbc-efc089cd1dc5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-107.26257%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b88fabd7-d9a3-4dc8-b987-5b2e1fa7bfaf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-91c2f6fd-c4ac-4708-bd04-2a138b95b235","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b52cd5cc-e6e0-4842-a240-7f42a5c7030a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ed525eaa-c27c-4a48-9101-64782db21651","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-107.5419%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] While not quite as dramatic as the name implies, this is still a tough hike through rolling hills to a broad sunny summit with views over the bay and Santa Cruz Mountains.

LEARN MORE

[{"selector":"#anim-622a75f5-98a0-444c-8203-94a422c62a87","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-105.93221%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7c276eff-65ac-4327-8fb9-c0efe24fb386","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-70a8f8a1-5e5a-4196-85b4-6f270f78cb85","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b10871a0-de05-4b91-8faf-dff67536a3b5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a2140000-e7ed-4695-93fd-6f5f97d793e3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.23306%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Sierra Azul OSP is known for its steep fire roads, and this hill hike offers plenty as you climb with views of the bay and a dramatic rolling ridgeline.

LEARN MORE

[{"selector":"#anim-767ccde8-8878-4e0a-908e-cdca2d518886","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-107.21925%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f3efdea6-1be7-473b-bc16-f342159fdbe0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac980507-cfc1-4e06-8d0d-1b51648e001a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-49fb4d6b-d179-4745-a91c-c6168ba83845","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7b20a007-327d-48ba-afdc-0c2b78c3f34e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-107.67046%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This dramatic sea-to-summit Bay Area hike starts from the coast near Pacifica and offers gorgeous ocean views the whole way.

LEARN MORE

[{"selector":"#anim-3da9a4a5-41c9-46b6-87af-c8e2acefed07","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-108.25688%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8b46d10c-9fb3-4ef5-b32c-3be6c1c17c68","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c933c69-a3c8-4660-b2fd-1c2c47fa080b","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7ebb8f0b-f746-4ced-872e-7bc55a1f169a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a3d165e9-cfaa-4687-a548-6116ee05ac9f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-107.67046%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A classic East Bay hike and popular training route for hikers and runners, this climb packs a punch with 2000 feet of climbing in under 3 miles.

That's just an overview! Find distances, route descriptions, and more at Exploring Wild.

[{"selector":"#anim-278aed2a-dcea-4a92-8631-e364ff47bccd","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f9d2488e-eb58-4fd7-9101-28b4f9050303","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c12088fb-4528-4fcd-b31c-09890c7aa989","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"translate3d(0, -878.96814%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"translate3d(0, -247.165840968%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"translate3d(0, -84.029354184%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"translate3d(0, -31.554956225999998%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"translate3d(0, -13.711902983999998%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":1600,"fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1edbf05d-70c2-4255-919f-291254d32ba2","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"translate3d(0, -1771.19432%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"translate3d(0, -498.059842784%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"translate3d(0, -169.326176992%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"translate3d(0, -63.585876088000006%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"translate3d(0, -27.630631391999998%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":1600,"fill":"both"}] Swipe up for more! Learn more

LOVE HIKING?

[{"selector":"#anim-7d81f134-b6da-48d8-a8e7-a0a1ae4e25a0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2e5d81c0-3588-471f-80d9-9b8aff2400e8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-187.61905%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ef9bbe7b-7da9-4b66-a891-6bc57145092b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-676c41fe-5723-4e97-b0b9-50fdf5576202","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-187.61905%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-375145a2-c58b-4b8e-84aa-dc0e3400cff8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":950,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6426f5aa-edec-46fb-ae59-edd8c73f334a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 231.41775%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":950,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c350140e-68e1-45a9-add6-b95989abe3ae","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":900,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a414004b-9148-4bcc-8c34-e94478991ada","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 771.11008%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":900,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6ecd2705-4a06-4753-92e5-b014eb9eb940","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5102780b-7d99-4328-b735-bd2079db4e24","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-187.61905%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":100,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-281b8f6e-6203-4cc7-8680-1a180a736d22","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d0bcde2a-bc4e-40e7-88b4-8862d01b01ca","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-125.9542%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8bfdfed6-f579-45b1-8012-d645c8eeb2ec","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6aeb4fd9-9d72-4461-a83d-a97988461b7c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-126.15385%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0690a212-98af-4c54-9838-6bcf2500576e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-29a37af7-20ab-4e18-bd4f-50786dcbd150","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-126.15385%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Here's more: Should You Hike in Trail Running Shoes? How to Hike Tahoe's Mount Tallac For lots more, visit my website: 9 Ways to Care for Hiking Gear

HILL CLIMB HIKES San Francisco Bay Area

5 HARD

IN THE

Need a good workout, or just enjoy hiking to the top of tall places? These are the highest and hardest hill hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area.

WINDY HILL

LEARN MORE

LEARN MORE

BLACK MOUNTAIN

LEARN MORE

MT. EL SOMBROSO

LEARN MORE

MONTARA MOUNTAIN

LEARN MORE

MISSION PEAK

That's just an overview! Find distances, route descriptions, and more at Exploring Wild.

LOVE HIKING?