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Best Backpacking Trails in California

Browse 17 backpacking trails with 183 miles (295 km) to hike and explore in California. Use our trail maps, elevation charts, pictures, and get directions to the trailhead to plan your next hike!

Trails in California

John Muir Trail (Duck Pass Trailhead to Vermillion Valley Resort)
47.6 Miles
76.6 km
Strenuous
One-Way
Matlock Lake
7.3 Miles
11.7 km
Moderate
Out-and-Back
Loch Leven Lakes
8 Miles
12.9 km
Moderate
Out-and-Back
Salmon Creek Trail
10 Miles
16.1 km
Moderate
Out-and-Back
Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley
37 Miles
59.5 km
Strenuous
One-Way
Gridley Trail to Nordhoff Peak
13.5 Miles
21.7 km
Strenuous
Out-and-Back
Parker Lake Trail
3.8 Miles
6.1 km
Hard
Out-and-Back
Ohlone Wilderness Trail
28 Miles
45.1 km
Strenuous
One-Way
San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain Trail
11 Miles
17.7 km
Strenuous
Out-and-Back
The Gate and South Gate Loop Trail - Squaw Meadow
5 Miles
8 km
Moderate
Loop
Simpson Reed Trail
0.6 Miles
1 km
Easy
Loop
River Beach Trail
0.5 Miles
0.8 km
Easy
Out-and-Back
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Showing 1 to 12 of 17 Hiking Trails

Before you leave...

MyHikes is an indie web platform aimed to make exploring public trails easier for everyone. The site has no investors and is owned and operated by one person, Dave Miller (Founder & Admin). As the Founder, main contributor, and doer-of-all-things for MyHikes, I share my trips with over-detailed write-ups for fun on a volunteer basis and I believe that public trail information should be available to everyone.

It takes a lot of time 🕦, money 💰, and effort (including espresso shots ☕) to run MyHikes, including hiking , mapping , writing , and publishing new trails with high-quality content... along with building new features, moderating, site maintainance, and app development for iOS and Android . I simply ask that if you find MyHikes' trail guides helpful to please consider becoming a Supporter to help keep the site, iOS, and Android apps available to everyone.

Supporters unlock website and in-app perks with a one-time payment of $25 (you renew) 😎👍. Or you can simply make a Donation of your choice without a MyHikes user account. Otherwise, telling your friends about MyHikes is the next-best thing - both quick and free 🎉

Thanks for visiting MyHikes and have a great hike!️

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Dave Miller
MyHikes Founder & Admin