Northern California holds some of Earth’s most magnificent natural treasures. These ancient coastal redwoods have watched over the Pacific coastline for thousands of years, creating cathedral-like forests that inspire visitors from around the world.
Walking among these gentle giants feels like stepping into another realm entirely, where time moves differently and nature reigns supreme. The coastal redwood region stretches from the Santa Cruz Mountains all the way north to the Oregon border, offering endless opportunities for exploration.
Here are 20 spectacular coastal redwood hikes that showcase the very best of Northern California’s towering forests.
Lady Bird Johnson Grove – Orick
This popular 1.3-mile loop sits about 1,000 feet above sea level near the town of Orick, making it one of the most accessible old-growth redwood experiences in the region. The trail crosses a distinctive wooden bridge over Bald Hills Road before winding through mixed forest that includes some impressive ancient trees.
The elevated location means these redwoods look less red than their valley counterparts due to the extra moisture and elevation.
Fern Canyon – Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
This remarkable one-mile trail follows Home Creek as it courses through a 50– to 80-foot-deep canyon carved through rich sedimentary soils. The canyon walls sprout an amazing variety of luxuriant ferns and other moisture-loving plants, with thousands of tiny drops of moisture making them sparkle on sunny days.
You’ll wade through the creek and climb over fallen logs in this fantasy-like setting that served as a filming location for The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997).
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Stout Grove – Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
This short 0.7-mile trail visits trees that are hundreds, even thousands of years old, which means they’re often over 300 feet tall. Located near the Smith River in Crescent City, this grove offers some of the most photogenic redwood scenes in all the parks.
The trail sits next to the Smith River, where you can swim on a warm day, combining forest majesty with refreshing water access.
Tall Trees Grove – Redwood National Park
This trail requires advanced permits but rewards visitors with some of the tallest trees on Earth. The grove contains several record-holding specimens and provides an intimate experience with truly massive old-growth redwoods.
The hike involves a moderate descent into a protected valley where these giants have thrived for centuries, undisturbed by coastal winds.
James Irvine Trail – Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
This beautiful yet easy 4.5-mile hike (one-way) through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park leads to the beach at Fern Canyon with an elevation gain of just 450 feet. The trail begins behind the visitor center and meanders through some of the park’s finest redwood groves.
Many hikers use this as their route to Fern Canyon, creating a longer adventure that combines forest and coastal experiences.
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Muir Woods Main Trail – Mill Valley
Muir Woods National Monument contains 6 miles of trails with options ranging from a half-hour loop to longer hikes extending into Mount Tamalpais State Park. Located just north of San Francisco, this easily accessible park offers spectacular old-growth redwood viewing without the long drive north.
The main trail system provides excellent wheelchair accessibility and connects to more challenging backcountry routes.
Big Tree Trail – Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
This easy trail near the visitor center showcases some particularly impressive specimen trees in Prairie Creek. The trail stays relatively level and features interpretive information about redwood ecology and forest management.
It connects nicely with other park trails for those wanting to extend their forest exploration beyond the main attractions.
Redwood Grove Loop – Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton
Henry Cowell has the only remaining old-growth redwood grove in the Santa Cruz area, featuring a 0.8-mile loop with just 30 feet of elevation change. The oldest redwood trees in the park are about 1,400 to 1,800 years old, with the tallest measuring about 285 feet tall and 16 feet wide.
You can see the John C. Fremont tree where Lt. Fremont camped while surveying for the US government prior to California statehood.
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Redwood Loop Trail – Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Boulder Creek
Big Basin is California’s oldest State Park, established in 1902. It is home to the largest continuous stand of ancient coast redwoods south of San Francisco. The Redwood Trail loop offers easy access to some of the tallest and oldest redwoods anywhere, featuring the Mother of the Forest (the tallest tree in Big Basin) and Father of the Forest (known for its wide circumference).
The flat, well-maintained trail makes it perfect for families.
Berry Creek Falls – Big Basin Redwoods State Park
The Berry Creek Loop is considered one of the park’s best hikes. It combines magnificent redwood groves with spectacular waterfalls.
This moderate hike covers about 10 miles and takes you through varied terrain, including old-growth forest, creek crossings, and multiple waterfall viewpoints. The trail showcases the diversity of Big Basin beyond just the famous big trees.
Boy Scout Tree Trail – Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
This 5+ mile round-trip trail passes through groves of giant redwoods with forest floors covered in ferns. The trail starts off the scenic dirt drive, Howland Hill Road, in the northern area of the park.
This is one of the more challenging yet most scenic hikes in the redwood parks, offering solitude and some of the most impressive tree specimens you’ll find anywhere.
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Damnation Creek – Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
This 3.4-mile trail involves a strenuous climb along a creek and is the only hike rated as hard on many park lists. The reward at the end of the tree and wildflower-lined path is the rugged California coastline, and it’s an astonishing sight to emerge from the forest to see the glittering ocean spread out in front of you.
This trail perfectly combines the towering redwood experience with dramatic coastal scenery.
Enderts Beach via Coastal Trail – Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
This gorgeous trail takes you along the rocky Pacific Coast, with towering redwoods and Douglas firs on the hills to your left. It leads to a beautiful beach perfect for tide pooling.
The contrast between ancient forest and wild coastline creates one of the most memorable hiking experiences in the redwood region. The beach features dark sand and smooth stones throughout and is usually not crowded at all.
Cathedral Redwoods Trail – Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton
To reach this breathtaking family circle of coast redwoods, take Pipeline Road to Rincon Fire Road, to Big Rock Hole Trail. This 4-mile round-trip hike with 300 feet of elevation change showcases some of the park’s most spectacular tree formations.
On the return trip, you can head to Cable Car Beach for a swim and continue back to the visitor center on the River Trail.
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Trillium Falls – Redwood National Park
This 2.6-mile moderate trail features a lovely waterfall near the beginning. It then continues through an attractive wood of well-preserved giant trees, with a pleasing grove of big redwoods at about the halfway point.
Located near the town of Orick, this trail offers a perfect blend of water features and massive trees. The relatively short distance makes it accessible for most hikers while still providing an immersive old-growth experience.
Simpson-Reed Trail – Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
This trail near Crescent City provides easy access to impressive redwood groves. The short nature trail loops through a beautiful section of old-growth forest with interpretive signs explaining redwood ecology.
This makes an excellent introduction to the redwood ecosystem for first-time visitors or families with young children seeking a gentler forest experience.
Nature Trail – Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, Guerneville
Located in Sonoma County near the Russian River, this reserve protects a magnificent grove of ancient redwoods in a more intimate setting than the larger parks. The easy nature trail winds past some truly massive specimens, including trees over 1,400 years old.
The park’s smaller size creates a more personal connection with these ancient giants while still providing the cathedral-like atmosphere redwoods are famous for.
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Meteor Trail – Big Basin Redwoods State Park
The Meteor Trail is a great way to wander among the giants at Big Basin Redwoods State Park without the crowds on the more popular trails. The trail tracks Rodgers Creek up to Middle Ridge Road.
This lesser-known route provides solitude while still delivering spectacular old-growth redwood viewing, making it perfect for those seeking a quieter forest experience.
Avenue of the Giants – Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Myers Flat
This isn’t technically a single trail but rather a collection of short walks along the famous 31-mile scenic drive through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Multiple trailheads offer easy access to some of the world’s most impressive redwood groves, including the Founders Grove and the Tall Tree.
The drive itself winds through continuous old-growth forest, with countless opportunities to stop and walk among these ancient sentinels.
Prairie Creek Trail – Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
This accessible trail within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park connects with the park’s extensive trail system. Starting near the visitor center, the trail meanders through classic redwood habitat alongside Prairie Creek itself.
The 14,000-acre park protects sandy beaches, open meadows grazed by Roosevelt elk herds, and stands of the world’s tallest living trees.
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Standing Among Giants Today
These coastal redwood forests represent more than just hiking destinations—they’re living monuments to resilience and time itself. Hiking through the coastal redwoods of California is simply magical, a journey through a wonderland of solemn giants, exuberant growth, and charming vistas.
Each trail offers its perspective on these ancient ecosystems, from the misty coastal approaches to the cathedral-like groves hidden in protected valleys. Whether you choose a gentle nature walk or a challenging backcountry adventure, walking among these gentle giants connects us to something far greater than ourselves, reminding us that some things in this world truly are worth preserving for future generations.
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