Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Looking for the best hiking in Carmel-by-the-Sea? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Carmel-by-the-Sea. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Carmel-by-the-Sea

  • Felton, California

    Redwood Grove Loop

    4.0
    0.93 mi / 144 ft gain
    Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located just a few miles north of the city of Santa Cruz, along Highway 9. The park is home to an array of hiking and biking trails, but the crown jewel of the park is the Redwood Grove Loop Trail, which is only a 1/4 mile in from the park's entrance. Many peo...
    Read more
  • Scotts Valley, California

    Lodato Loop Trail

    5.0
    1.24 mi / 315 ft gain
    Lodato Loop Trail is a loop trail that is moderately difficult located near Scotts Valley, California.
    Read more
  • Felton, California

    Limestone Kilns and Big Ben Redwood Loop

    5.0
    8.37 mi / 1598 ft gain
    Henry Cowell Redwood State Park is a super easy destination to get to from Santa Cruz, but the seclusion of the Fall Creek Unit makes this a big bang for buck hike. This hike will take you to Big Ben, a medium sized old growth Redwood, and the abandoned Henry Cowell Lime and Cement Company Kilns ...
    Read more
  • Felton, California

    Fall Creek Trail

    5.0
    7.21 mi / 1096 ft gain
    This quiet 10 mile hike features a winding creek and tall redwoods throughout the trail.  The parking at the Fall Creek Trailhead is limited, so it is best to get there before 10am.  There are redwoods very close to the trail and a good portion is alongside the creek.  Most of the trail is dirt, ...
    Read more
  • Morgan Hill, California

    Uvas Canyon Waterfall Loop

    4.0
    1.48 mi / 463 ft gain
    Uvas Canyon offers up to 6-miles of hiking trails, which includes a 1.5 mile loop, which runs along Swanson Creek and passes many of the park's waterfalls. To take short loop, head North out of the parking lot to the Swanson Creek Trail. Once you find Swanson Creek Trail, you'll be on the Waterfa...
    Read more
  • Paicines, California

    Condor Gulch Trail to High Peaks Trail Loop

    4.6
    8.63 mi / 2147.42 ft gain
    It’s hard to believe how many people don’t know about this place, which was newly designated as a National Park in January 2013. Pinnacles National Park is hidden just south of San Jose in the Gabilan Mountains, and is a short drive for anyone living in the Bay Area. With beautiful rock spires p...
    Read more
  • Paicines, California

    Balconies Cave Trail

    2.63 mi / 617 ft gain
    Balconies Cave Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Paicines, California.
    Read more
  • Paicines, California

    Hike the Juniper Canyon, High Peaks, Tunnel Trail Loop in Pinnacles NP

    5.0
    4.3 mi / 1200 ft gain
    Pinnacles National Park is located just over two hours outside of San Francisco (depending on the traffic). It was designated the 59th national park in 2013 and while it is small it offers beautiful views and unique wildlife viewing. Keep an eye out for California condors on this hike! This trail...
    Read more
  • Davenport, California

    Greyhound Beach and Greyhound Rock

    0.26 mi / 128 ft gain
    The trailhead is at the Greyhound Rock State Marine Conservation Area which is directly off Highway 1. There is a large paved parking lot with a good amount of trees so finding a shady parking spot isn't that difficult (if that's important to you). The parking lot is located on the beach cliffs ...
    Read more
  • Paicines, California

    Hike to Bear Gulch Reservoir in Pinnacles National Park

    3.5
    1.5 mi / 275 ft gain
    Start the hike from the Bear Gulch Trail Parking lot.  While pulling in, the trail head is on the left.  The Trail is marked Reservoir, Caves, and High Peaks.  Continue down the trail until faced with a junction.  Make sure to admire rock formations while hiking!At the junction take the Bear Gulc...
    Read more
  • Paicines, California

    Hike the Old Pinnacle Trail in Pinnacles National Park

    5.0
    9 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Start at the Old Pinnacles Trailhead and embark on a roughly 9 mile long adventure surrounded by amazing geological rock formations and natural landscapes. Bask in the peace of nature... meander through meadows alongside the West Fork of Chalone Creek and into Old Pinnacles. Continuing on at the ...
    Read more
  • Paicines, California

    Hike the High Peaks & Balconies Cave Loop

    5.0
    8.4 mi / 1540 ft gain
    This hike can begin at Old Pinnacles Trailhead (East Entrance) or Chaparral Trailhead (West Entrance) and can be hiked in either direction. This description is from Old Pinnacles Trailhead, hiking clockwise, which gets the most demanding part of the hike done first. From Old Pinnacles Trailhead w...
    Read more
  • Paicines, California

    Camp in Pinnacles National Park

    4.0
    / 1819 ft gain
    Pinnacles Campground is accessible from the east side of the park, and you generally lose cell service about 20 minutes before the park entrance. The campground offers tent camping, group camping, and a handful of RV sites. The tent and group sites have individual picnic tables and fire rings, an...
    Read more
  • Big Sur, California

    3 Branches of the Limekiln

    4.0
    1.98 mi / 696 ft gain
    The Limekiln Trails offer up a moderate hike with defined trails, creek crossings, and limited elevation. From the parking area, head east under the canopy of redwoods until you get to the bridge, where there’s a kiosk marking the trail. The three branches are ~0.5 miles each, making it easy to ...
    Read more
  • Big Sur, California

    Camping at Limekiln State Park

    4.3
    This campsite is split into two sections and is located directly below a bridge along Route 1 the Pacific Coast Highway. Be cautious turning into the park as the incline and turn are quite serious.Below the bridge are campsites located both along the tree line and tiered up along the hill. Under ...
    Read more
  • Gilroy, California

    Redfern Pond via Hunting Hollow

    5.0
    7 mi / 1263 ft gain
    Henry W. Coe State Park, northern California's largest, provides outdoor enthusiasts with over 89,000 acres of land to explore, as well as 22,000 acres of designated wilderness area. With all of this space, the outdoor adventures are seemingly endless. We recommend a multi-day backpacking trip to...
    Read more