Top Trails: Sacramento: Exploring Valley, Foothills, and Mountains in the Sacramento Region

Whatever you’re looking for today, there’s a trail for you near Sacramento.

Near California’s capital city, numerous trails access the Central Valley’s wildlife-filled wetlands and traverse riverside forests and grasslands. In the Coast Range and Sierra foothills, trails lead to scenic waterfalls, wildflower-studded meadows, and high mountain lakes. Longtime Sacramento resident and intrepid hiker Steven L. Evans has selected the 43 must-do hikes, the majority of which are within two hours of the city. Whether you’re looking for a scenic stroll, a full-day adventure, or even a spectacular alpine peak-bagging trip, you’ll find it here. Trails range from 1 to 10 miles and from sea level to 9,000 feet, and each trip includes elevation profiles, detailed maps, driving directions, and trail milestones.