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Humboldt County, California

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Humboldt County

  • Trinidad, California

    Hike Trinidad Head

    4.8
    1.5 mi / 300 ft gain
    Park in the large parking lot at Trinidad Beach. The trailhead is at the south end of the parking lot. The loop trail can be hiked in either direction.The trail is half dirt singletrack, half paved switchbacks, and climbs steadily to the top of Trinidad Head. The view of the ocean and California ...
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  • Trinidad, California

    Strawberry Rock Trail

    5.0
    2.99 mi / 505 ft gain
    To get there: From the south, take the Trinidad exit, from which you will take a slight left/ go straight onto Trinidad Frontage rd. From The north, get off at the Trinidad exit, cross under the freeway, and take a left on Trinidad Frontage rd. Once on Trinidad Frontage rd, go straight to the end...
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  • Redcrest, California

    Hike through the Founder's Grove in Humboldt Redwoods State Park

    5.0
    1.3 mi
    The Founder's Grove is easily accessed from Highway 101 in northern California. The grove is also on the Avenue of the Giants Scenic Highway. This area, named after the founders of the Save the Redwoods League, is flat and has a relatively open understory making it one of the most picturesque gro...
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  • Orick, California

    Hike Lyons Ranch

    4 mi
    This is really a dirt road that is gated off from Bald Hills Road. The trail head parking can fit about 6 cars but seldom do people venture out this way. After all, the attraction of Redwood National Park is the redwoods but this high prairie is definitely worth exploring.The walk to the ranch is...
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  • Humboldt County, California

    Hike the Humboldt Redwoods River Trail

    3.4 mi / 450 ft gain
    You probably won't find as many people along this trail (which I like!) as it's unmarked and sits just south of Rockefeller Loop which draws a good number of visitors, primarily because it has the tallest trees (also definitely worth a visit!). The River Trail is a relatively short, flat hike wit...
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  • Humboldt County, California

    Hike the Rockefeller Forest Loop

    0.7 mi / 20 ft gain
    From the Avenue of the Giants turn west onto Mattole Road. Continue 1.5 miles to the Rockefeller Forest trailhead.Rockefeller Forest is a less well known grove in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It's distance from the main road shelters the forest from traffic noise. The trail is wide and smooth, ...
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  • Trinidad, California

    Patrick's Point Trail

    5.0
    0.21 mi / 92 ft gain
    Patrick's Point Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Trinidad, California.
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  • Trinidad, California

    Wedding Rock Trail

    5.0
    0.23 mi / 85 ft gain
    Wedding Rock Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Trinidad, California.
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  • Orick, California

    Tall Trees Grove, Redwood Creek, Emerald Ridge Loop

    4.4
    4.41 mi / 1043 ft gain
    Day 1: Check with the Rangers station before heading up for best camping opportunities. Assuming you've checked with the rangers for approval...if there are openings, off of the main road, there are side streets with access to the beaches. Pull into one of these areas and drive down as far as you...
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  • Humboldt County, California

    Hike the Emerald Ridge - Redwood Creek Loop

    6 mi / 900 ft gain
    This loop begins at the Tall Trees Trailhead.  To access this parking area, you must have a permit that you can obtain from the Kuchel ranger station.  The gate is locked.  When you get the permit, the ranger will also give you the combination to the gate.  Once you drive through, close the gate ...
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  • Humboldt County, California

    Hike to Tall Trees Grove, Redwood NP

    5.0
    3.9 mi / 690 ft gain
    NOTE: You need a permit, albeit free, to do this hike.First, you'll need to go to the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center just off Highway 101 south of Orick, CA. Once there, write down your license plate number and go up to the counter and ask one of the rangers for a permit for Tall Trees Access Ro...
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  • Garberville, California

    Explore the Avenue of the Giants

    5.0
    The Avenue of the Giants is a scenic 31 mile long highway that is surrounded by 51,222 acres of giant redwood trees in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. This road offers amazing views of the redwoods. The Avenue of the Giants runs through many small towns that offer tons of tourist attractions.Th...
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  • Orick, California

    Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Redwood NP

    4.0
    1.35 mi / 92 ft gain
    This hike starts in the parking lot of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Picnic Area. As one of the more popular hikes in Redwood National Park, it is a good idea to get there early to secure parking and miss the crowds. To get to the parking lot from the Kuchel Visitor Center, travel north on Highway ...
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  • Petrolia, California

    The Lost Coast: Mattole to Black Sands Beach

    4.8
    25.05 mi / 653 ft gain
    This is an absolutely stunning 25 mile thru-hike on the northern part of California's coast. To accomplish this hike, you'll either need to bring 2 cars or use a shuttle service. It's recommended that you drop one car at the Shelter Cove Trailhead (40.0455053,-124.0778196) and either use one of t...
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  • Orick, California

    Trillium Falls

    2.68 mi / 469 ft gain
    Trillium Falls trail is a nice little hike through a second growth and old growth redwood forest. The trail is lined with sweet smelling ferns and has plenty of shade the entire route. This would be good for a midday hike in summer.  The trail starts from the Elk Meadows Day Use parking area. St...
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  • Garberville, California

    King's Peak via Lightning Trailhead

    5.0
    4.79 mi / 1942 ft gain
    King's Peak is the tallest peak in the King Range, the home of the famous and spectacular "Lost Coast". At an elevation of 4,000' and less than 3 miles from the ocean, King's Peak provides stunning views in all directions: of canyons, beaches, foggy valleys, and the many greenhouses that dot the ...
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