Golden Gate National Recreation Area Trails

Find your path to discovery and adventure

For many of us, the sprawling and spectacular trail system at Golden Gate is how we experience the parks and encounter their many wonders. More than just a line through the woods or a swath across a bluff, the trail is where we can marvel at nature, learn about culture, and understand history. Trails are as unique and complex as the ecosystems they help protect, or the extraordinary people who help care for them. Stay up to date on any closures. Introduce yourself to one of the trails in the Golden Gate National Parks. And get ready to meet magic.

Topic List - Trails

County

Park

Difficulty Level/Rating

Easiest

Moderate

Moderately Strenuous

Strenuous

Very Strenuous

A staircase leads downward amid spiky agave plants at Alcatraz Island.

Agave Trail

Wrapping around the southern edge of the island, this trail literally presents a "different side" of The Rock.

This 0.6-mile, easy walking trail features plenty of its spiky succulent namesake (planted to slow erosion and serve as a verdant fence), as well as breathtaking views of the San Francisco skyline.

Habitat restoration volunteers work on Alta Ridge

Alta Trail

Difficulty Level: Moderately Strenuous

Trail Length: 5.02 miles round trip

This is a long but gradual climb from the eastern side of the Marin Headlands. This fire road is in good condition, making for an easy route to meander along.

Baquiano Trail

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Trail Length: 2.22 miles round trip

Driving up to the parking area is steep, and it's a premonition of what the trail will be like. You guessed it, the ascent will be too. However, switchbacks make the climb much easier. Near the top of the ridge, it flattens out and becomes a fire road.

Batteries Loop Trail

Difficulty Level: Easiest

Trail Length: 0.97 miles round trip

This trail involves walking along a dirt trail through several Civil War-era military batteries near a cliff edge. It also includes several areas where terrain varies and involves stairs.

Batteries to Bluffs Trail

Difficulty Level: Strenuous

Trail Length: 0.70 miles round trip

Stretching from just south of the Golden Gate Bridge to Battery Crosby, the trail offers spectacular coastal panoramas, views of the Golden Gate, and a safe descent to Marshall’s Beach.

Ranger leads a demonstration at Battery Chamberlin

Battery Chamberlin Trail

Difficulty Level: Easiest

Trail Length: 0.15 miles round trip

The army built Battery Chamberlin on Baker Beach in 1904 to protect the harbor’s minefields.

Battery Crosby Trail

Difficulty Level: Easiest

Trail Length: 0.27 miles round trip

This short segment of the Batteries to Bluffs Trail takes visitors to Battery Crosby, an Endicott-era battery completed and armed in 1900 to protect the underwater minefield outside the Golden Gate.

On the first Saturday and Sunday of each month (from 11 am to 3 pm), you can see a

Battery East Trail

Difficulty Level: Easiest

Trail Length: 0.80 miles round trip

One of the signature trail improvement projects of the Parks Conservancy, the multi-use Battery East Trail features eye-popping views of the soaring towers of the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as an overlook/seating area to admire the span and San Francisco Bay.

Battery Spencer Trail

Difficulty Level: Easiest

Trail Length: 0.86 miles round trip

Battery Spencer Trail is a 0.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Sausalito, California that offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is accessible year-round.

Battery Wagner along the Kirby Cove Road in the Marin Headlands.

Battery Wagner Trail

Difficulty Level: Easiest

Trail Length: 0.13 miles round trip

The 0.8-mile Battery Wagner Trail affords visitors a stellar view of the Golden Gate Bridge, perfect for snapping some photos.

Golden Gate Bridge view from Battery Yates at Fort Baker

Battery Yates Trail

Difficulty Level: Easiest

Trail Length: 0.30 miles round trip

After visiting Cavallo Point and the beautifully restored Colonial Revival buildings along the main parade at Fort Baker, be sure to make a side trip to Battery Yates, located just off Satterlee Road.