Looking for the best trails around Palo Alto?

Explore the best rated trails in Palo Alto, CA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Lincoln Hill Pathway and NWP Railroad Trail . With more than 102 trails covering 777 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

Recent Trail Reviews

Coyote Creek Trail

Hot Day on Coyote Creek Trail, Morgan Hill, CA

September, 2024 by cmartindunlop

I did this ride on Sunday afternoon, September 8, 2924, in 102 degrees. No joke. Must explain why it wasn’t very busy. I started at Anderson Lake County Park in Morgan Hill and went to Tully Road, just past the golf course south of downtown San Jose, and then turned around and returned to the park—40 miles, 1,190 feet elevation gain. Well maintained, all paved, relatively flat, and interesting trail with SO many squirrels and chipmunks dashing across the trail. Probably just playing with the bikers. Saw a flock of young turkeys on the trail. A hawk zipped close by me and tried to grab a rodent (missed). Lots of waterfowl in the ponds along the way. Vegetation became greener the further north I went from Morgan Hill, and more water in Coyote Creek. Saw coyote scat on the trail but no animals (too hot for them). There are several homeless campsites near the golf course, and even a rooster and cats and dogs. Overall, a great trail to see the arid landscape of the Santa Clara Valley (I live in the Pacific Northwest). Will plan to do it again in the springtime when it’s greener and not so hot, when I visit relatives again.

Shepherd Canyon Trail (Montclair Railroad Trail)

beautiful trail/ paved and flat

August, 2024 by amberrodeen

Beautiful shady trail short and sweet

Santa Cruz Coastal Rail Trail

Well paved, courteous trail goers. We ended at Bridges Park, visited Monarch exhibit. Safe walk but not relaxing had to cross 5-7 busy streets along the way.

June, 2024 by bcolbertrn

Well paved, courteous trail goers. We ended at Bridges Park, visited Monarch exhibit. Safe walk but not relaxing had to cross 5-7 busy streets along the way.

Accordion

Three Creeks Trail (CA)

Unfortunately not worth the risk

May, 2024 by andreaisais

Very short, one mile walking both ways. Too many homeless trash piles. Parking was questionable since it housed homeless vehicles and I had to hurry my child pass the van with drug smoke pouring out. The drive down Willow Street was lovely along the way to this location, we should have just parked there and walked along the tree lined streets instead. Very unfortunate.

Alameda Creek Regional Trails

A Trail Crosses the Shoreline, Creek, and Ponds with Seasonal Animals!

March, 2024 by jeerhsu

Alameda Creek Trail is one of my favorite trails which is long and mostly flat, crossing Alameda Creek, a couple of ponds, and the beautiful shoreline. If that's not enough, this trail connects to Coyote Hill, Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge, and crosses the Dumbarton Bridge to Palo Alto side. You can also meet many different animals in different seasons, and hope you will enjoy the experience!

Permanente Creek Trail

Nice access to San Francisco Bay Trail

August, 2023 by cjmeyerson

Permanente Creek Trail provides good access to the San Francisco Bay Trail from many points in Mountain View.

Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail

Pacific coast trail

August, 2023 by fb4rxhddjg

Easy flat trail highly recommend and beautiful.

Black Diamond Railroad Trail

interesting place to explore- go when it’s not too hot

July, 2023 by kawkaw999

Mostly this location is good to hike. MTB was tough since there’s some pretty steep hills and not a ton of room to run. me and my friend had fun but we had to walk our bikes up a couple times. We are also both almost 60 year old women so… Maybe a young 25 year old guy can write up those with no problem …¿ but we didn’t see anybody else riding bicycles there maybe one guy. a lot of the areas are not shaded or protected so don’t go when it’s over 90°. But it’s a beautiful spot with some cool areas to explore. but if I was gonna go back I would probably just go for hiking

Coyote Creek Trail

trail nice, but people make it feel unsafe

July, 2023 by vdreyer612

Trail is nice and well maintained but in the broad daylight, kind of shady with a considerable presence of homeless people by the Tully trailhead. Even carrying pepper spray, as a smaller young woman I felt kind of unsafe and was approached. The northern part of the trail (passes by a bunch of Amazon warehouses) does not have this issue but the stretch is much shorter. Would not come back here alone, or maybe at all. It’s a shame,because the trail itself is great, mostly flat, and scenic. Too Bad s

Visitacion Valley Greenway

Best part of Vis Valley

February, 2023 by doomstew

I am biased, but the Greenway is my favorite part of living in Vis Valley. My dog loves to go for walks through all 6 parks. There are a lot of varieties of birds through all the trails, along with some friendly neighborhood cats! There is a lovely coffee shop at the bottom on Leland Ave.

Marsh Creek Regional Trail

trail addition

December, 2022 by 4psb2wyvrd

They have just opened a new addition at the West End of the marsh Creek Trail. You cross over Concord Avenue and continue on for an approximate mile and a half to near the intersection of Vineyard Parkway. And marsh Creek Road

Great Highway Bike Path

Nothing Special

October, 2022 by acewickwire

Only rode a short section at Golden Gate Park. Trail is rough. Is wide but nothing great about it. Better to ride in Golden Gate Park.

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Accordion

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