Batteries to Bluffs Trail

Stretching 3,664 feet from just south of the Golden Gate Bridge to Battery Crosby, the Batteries to Bluffs Trail offers visitors a chance to enjoy the area’s historic gun batteries, seeps and springs, coastal plants and wildlife, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate.

Interestingly, the natural features that make this place so special also made building the trail especially challenging.

Though rugged looking, the Presidio's steep coastal bluffs are highly prone to erosion and crumbling. The site’s vibrant but fragile ecology includes locally rare and endangered native plants and a wide diversity of wildlife that needed to be protected throughout the construction process.

Special techniques were used to remove trees from the Presidio bluffs while protecting sensitive habitats and species Parks Conservancy Photo

Project managers had to get creative, using special techniques that included delivering pre-cut construction materials by helicopter. By the time the trail opened in 2007, the project—a partnership of the Parks Conservancy, National Park Service, Presidio Trust, and Trails Forever — had set new standards for trail construction and habitat protection throughout the parks. The Batteries to Bluffs Trail ultimately received a 2008 Beautification Award from San Francisco Beautiful.

Care of the trail and surrounding natural and historic treasures continues today, learn how you can become a part of the team!

Thanks

In addition to donations from thousands of individual community members, this project has received support from the following:

• Amgen
• Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
• FedEx
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
• Wells Fargo