Explore the best rated trails in San Mateo, 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 103 trails covering 753 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.
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 provides good access to the San Francisco Bay Trail from many points in Mountain View.
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
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
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.
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
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.
We rented bikes and followed the bike map provided by the rental outfit. The park is really nice and well worth a visit. Lots of trails and at times a bit confusing to follow a specific route. However, can't really get lost. Really enjoyed the portion of JFK drive that is blocked to traffic. Big wide boulevard with lots to see and enjoy. Could spend a lot of time just wandering all through the park. Recommend a visit.
We rented bikes and followed the bike map provided by the rental outfit. We rode on Washington Blvd through this area. It is a pleasant ride on a street through a residential area and golf course. Very little traffic. Saw a number of other bikers and walkers. Didn't see any trail signage for this trail. Although did see a trail parallel to the road at times but didn't see anyone on the trail. Think would really need to specifically look for the trail if intent on riding. The street was good.
I've mostly ridden the section between Hellyer Park and the Coyote Creek visitor center / Malaguerra Ave (great free parking). A superb ride with far less traffic than the Los Gatos trail. A couple of weeks ago I parked at the Tully Rd lot and took it south. I was a little creeped out about leaving my truck there and the number of homeless encampments from Tully south about a mile. I won't do that again. Another good parking place is the free dirt lot "Coyote Creek Trail Parking at Metcalf" on google maps.
If you're a fan of dedicated bike paths, and in the area, don't miss the opportunity to ride Lafayette-Moraga. Almost the entirety of the path is along a shaded corridor, gently curving back and forth, beautiful homes visible in wooded settings, quirky sections (e.g. a brief segment with many dozens of miniature bird houses hanging from trees), St. Mary's of Moraga's beautiful campus visible at one point.
I'd recommend starting from the Lafayette side. This trail is not flat: the out and back registered 600 vertical feet on Ride with GPS. Starting on the Lafayette side will result in about 5 miles of mildly climbing trail, a descent of about 2 miles at the far end, and then a somewhat steeper (but not steep) climb back to the summit. The last 4.75 miles of a round trip to Lafayette involves a swooping and delightful descent back to where you started. While the climbing is not negligible, it is well within the capabilities of even moderately fit riders.
My partner and I rode this trail on our tandem trike on a Wednesday, finding light to moderate foot and bike traffic. If you're family oriented, use caution with the younger riders, as on the downhill slopes some riders will be coming down in excess of the 15 mph speed limit.
Overall, a gem of a ride, scenic, interesting, and just enough of a challenge to feel that your heart and lungs benefited from a great day outside.
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