Merced, CA Hiking Trails and Maps

52 Reviews

Looking for the best Hiking trails around Merced?

Find the top rated hiking trails in Merced, whether you're looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hiking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

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Activities
Length
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Type
12 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Lewis S. Eaton Trail

5.9 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Tuolumne River Trail

2.3 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Virginia Corridor Trailway

2.7 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Merced River Trail

4.9 mi
State: CA
Gravel

Bear Creek Bikeway

3.6 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Hetch Hetchy Trail (Modesto)

3 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Sugar Pine Trail

4 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Los Banos Rail-Trail

2.1 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Black Rascal Creek Bikeway

4.5 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
The Peggy Mensinger Trail is a flat, paved, family—friendly greenway that runs west to east. With neighborhoods to the north and south, it provides a popular gateway for residents. The trail parallels...
CA 4.7 mi Asphalt
The Lewis S. Eaton Trail is the backbone of the growing trail network central to the planned 22-mile San Joaquin River Parkway. The main trail currently offers more than 5 paved miles through Woodward...
CA 5.9 mi Asphalt
The Tuolumne River Trail is a winding path that follows the course of its namesake river in Modesto. The scenic trail captures the true beauty of the region's landscape as it loops through dense...
CA 2.3 mi Asphalt
Modesto’s 2.7-mile Virginia Corridor Trailway is a suburban rail-trail well-used by walkers, runners, bicyclists, and families. Extending between Campus Way to the southwest and Woodrow Avenue to the...
CA 2.7 mi Asphalt
Tucked away in sparsely populated Tuolumne County, this portion of the Stanislaus National Forest’s Westside Rails to Trails route is a hidden treasure, combining spectacular scenery and a...
CA 5.5 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt
About 20 miles southwest of Yosemite National Park, the scenic Merced River Trail functions as both a bike/pedestrian trail and a lightly trafficked vehicular road used to access campsites and...
CA 4.9 mi Gravel
The Vernon McCullough Fresno River Trail runs along the dry river in Madera, offering a recreation and transportation amenity for the city's residents and visitors. The trail is divided in two by...
CA 3.4 mi Asphalt
The Bear Creek Bikeway parallels scenic Bear Creek just north of downtown Merced. The path grants access to the zoo at Applegate Park and amenities located within the park. On the trail's western end,...
CA 3.6 mi Asphalt
The Hetch Hetchy Trail extends diagonally through the northwestern portion of Modesto on the wide right-of-way of its namesake water pipeline, which runs underground in Modesto. Operated by the San...
CA 3 mi Asphalt
Community support has been integral to the creation of the Sugar Pine Trail and Clovis Old Town Trail, two adjoining rail-trails that link the communities of Fresno and Clovis. Joggers, cyclists,...
CA 4 mi Asphalt
The Los Banos Rail Trail offers a 1-mile alternative to non-motorized travel through downtown Los Banos between 2nd Street and Ward Rd. The trail occupies a disused rail right-of-way and includes...
CA 2.1 mi Asphalt
The Black Rascal Creek Bikeway follows the course of the small waterway through residential neighborhoods on the north side of Merced. The trail provides access to the Merced Mall and Black Rascal...
CA 4.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete

Recent Trail Reviews

Dry Creek Trail (Peggy Mensinger Trail)

Great ride for young children on their own. Keep an eye out for homeless, garbage, and the smell. Beyond that, it's a great ride. Though needs a little greenery.

August, 2023 by crowsonmikej

Great ride for young children on their own. Keep an eye out for homeless, garbage, and the smell. Beyond that, it's a great ride. Though needs a little greenery.

Virginia Corridor Trailway

ride

May, 2023 by michaelbear12

Great family trail! Stopped and had lunch at O’Brien store very close to the trail.

Hetch Hetchy Trail (Modesto)

Nice and easy

November, 2022 by 4q2tx9twnh

Easy trail to ride or walk.

Accordion

Dry Creek Trail (Peggy Mensinger Trail)

Nice trail thru town...perfect for all ages...

September, 2021 by gabenerica1019

Nice trail thru town...perfect for all ages...

Merced River Trail

Autumn on Merced River Trail

November, 2020 by arlon_tl

Yes as described previously, after 5 miles the road is reduced to-a single track, or foot trail. The River is irresistible in its beauty, worth the trip. The old Railroad bed has experienced many Rock slides over the lay 70 years with no Matinence preformed. You will walk your bike plenty. It’s a great hiking trail.

Virginia Corridor Trailway

Perfect for biking

October, 2020 by sexylexy1957

I have been riding the trail for almost 4 years. It used to be my go to to get conditioning on my bike. I have put on over 4,000 miles since 2017, 3,000 on this trail. I love it. Most everyone is great, however, there is a major issue with people not picking up after their pets. The city provides doggie bags, it’s beyond me why people aren’t more respectful of this beautiful trail.

Dry Creek Trail (Peggy Mensinger Trail)

very enjoyable morning

July, 2020 by gdmartin5_tl

Took the bikes out for the first time with the wife on her first ride and we decided to ride just around the house and slowly worked her towards the trail and she loved it and did the entire ride and worked our way back home nearly 10 miles on her first ride!! Beautiful riding with great sites.

Lewis S. Eaton Trail

Highly Recommend

March, 2020 by acewickwire

Location: Fresno, CA
Parking: Shopping Center (Yosemite Freeway & Friant Rd). Drove into Woodward Park but decided not to pay the $5 ($3 senior) parking fee. Should have read Parking & Trail Access description closer. Noted some folks park in shopping mall across Friant Rd from the park entrance.
Trail Condition: Excellent wide asphalt pathway. Well maintained.
Signage: Trail is easy to follow without signage, follow white stripe down middle of trail.
Comments: Started at South end, rode to North end and returned. Lots and lots of walkers and few bikers on the trail, nice three day weekend afternoon to get outside. Wonderful views of the San Joaquin River valley and mountains in distance. Of the trails in the Fresno (Clovis) area we rode this one was the best. No busy intersections to navigate, enough curves and small up and down hills to keep this one interesting. Highly recommend this trail.

Sugar Pine Trail

Busy Intersections

March, 2020 by acewickwire

Location: Fresno, CA
Parking: Shopping Center (Yosemite Freeway & Friant Rd)
Trail Condition: Excellent wide asphalt pathway. Well maintained.
Signage: Trail is easy to follow without signage, follow white stripe down middle of trail.
Comments: Going West to East the first portion of trail is a nice ride with a couple of underpasses and only one intersection to navigate. There is a gated section in this first portion that is closed at night. This section is a wide old railroad bed with housing on each side and now a bunch of trees along the trail. Nice and quiet section. Once passed this gated area the trail parallels a main street with a number of major intersections, which is a significant detractor. In fact, we didn’t finish the trail after growing tired of navigating the intersections. A few walkers and bikers were encountered on trail. It is evident this trail is a rail-to-trail project. The greenway is very wide, flat and mostly straight. Without the many busy intersections to cross this would be a fine rails-to-trails trail.

Tuolumne River Trail

Very nice trail/picnic area during the day.

February, 2020 by family21

Had a nice walk with our family and dog on trail. The river and flora were beyond what we expected and a great way to spend 3 hours. I must say that the homeless population in the park was a little concerning but mostly kept to themselves.

Dry Creek Trail (Peggy Mensinger Trail)

Call this “Thousand Oak Trail”

December, 2019 by autodinman

Experience walking/biking under the canopy of thousands of oak trees on a flat, winding asphalt trail for all ages. I have always passed friendly folks and random bicycle police. (Thank you)

Virginia Corridor Trailway

5 Star Walk/Run/Bike Trail

November, 2019 by autodinman

Asphalt, clean benches, landscaping, and lights make this Modesto’s “go to” trail. Lots of folks walk, run and bike here. Just like anywhere, carry a whistle in case you need help.

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Accordion

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