Hiking is a popular activity for both individuals and families. Here in the Bay Area, we’re gifted with some of the best nature trails in the state. While many students are familiar with local trails such as Mission Peak in Milpitas, or Alum Rock in San Jose, there are plenty of other hiking trails to visit this summer with varying ranges of scenery and difficulty.
One of the more familiar trails, Mission Peak combines the convenience of proximity with a medium-difficulty trek. I have hiked to the peak a couple of times in the past few years, once in the summertime and once in the fall. The weather is always an important factor when hiking no matter the location, but a good rule of thumb is to go early in the morning. Mission Peak during the summertime is not the most enjoyable hike due to the lack of shade; it’s particularly disappointing for those with heat intolerance, and because of the overall lack of major viewing points until you reach the end. With the trail being strictly uphill and the scenery being nothing beyond rolling hills, the trail is one-dimensional. Compared to many other trails that run through forests or are situated nearby streams or lakes, Mission Peak, in spite of its locality, is not the most dynamic option.
Alum Rock provides both a flat landing area in the forest for recreation, volleyball, and picnic areas, as well as waterfalls scattered across the mountainous terrain that surrounds the landing zone. Due to the sheer amount of activities, it’s a great location to spend your summer if you’re looking to pair your morning hike with an afternoon full of activities. Alum Rock ranks slightly above Mission Peak because of how much more greenery and shade there is, in addition to its dynamic location that pairs both hiking conditions with strolls and leisure.
Alviso Marina County Park in San Jose has a popular trail to walk through, with the yellow-framed door being a notable attraction point for photos. The 9-mile-long trail spans across the Bay Area wetlands, marshes, and ponds paired with views of the mountains that provide a backdrop of Milpitas. Though the trail is mostly flat terrain, there are many bends in the path and calming views of the still water all around you. This trail is definitely on my list for this summer, especially for viewing sunsets.
Moving a bit farther down the South Bay, Castle Rock in Los Gatos is a hiking spot not for the weary, but provides some of the best mountain views and forest sceneries out of the locations on this list. The last time I hiked here was in 2019, and yet I can still remember how the cool forest air brushed my face as I balanced from log to log. In addition, Castle Rock offers plenty of different routes to take; the one that I chose provided quite a bit of forest shade throughout the trail, and the end of the trail offered a panoramic view of the Santa Cruz mountain range.
For people looking to hike this summer, look no further than local trails.