4.7
(135)
3,724
hikers
224
hikes
Hiking around Brisbane offers diverse landscapes, from extensive eucalypt forests and bushland to lush subtropical rainforests and coastal wetlands. The region features numerous national parks, including Mount Coot-tha, D'Aguilar, Lamington, and Springbrook, providing a wide array of trails. Hikers can explore areas with waterfalls, volcanic plugs like the Glass House Mountains, and varied terrain suitable for different experience levels.
Last updated: April 26, 2026
5.0
(3)
68
hikers
33.3km
09:06
530m
520m
The San Francisco Crosstown Trail offers a difficult urban hiking experience, spanning 20.7 miles (33.3 km) with a total elevation gain of 1730 feet (527 metres). You can expect to spend around 9 hours and 6 minutes traversing this route. As you hike, you will discover incredibly diverse scenery, moving through quiet neighborhoods, hillside communities, and well-known green spaces. The trail features a mix of asphalt paths, dirt trails, wooden planks, and city streets, including numerous staircases. Keep an eye out for the vibrant mosaic art on the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps as you explore. You will also encounter some steeper sections along the way.
Planning your journey on the San Francisco Crosstown Trail requires some preparation. Since extensive signage is not always present, it is highly recommended that you use a map or a navigation app like komoot to stay on track. Parking is generally available near various access points if you drive. However, public transport can also be utilized to reach different sections of the trail, offering flexible starting and ending points. Consider breaking the route into shorter segments if you prefer a less strenuous day.
This unique urban thru-hike connects diverse neighborhoods and green spaces across the city, offering a fresh perspective on San Francisco. You will encounter tranquil forests, public art, and stunning coastal views, especially near Lands End with its vistas of the Pacific Ocean and Golden Gate Bridge. The trail provides a comprehensive tour of the city's varied landscapes, from bustling streets to serene natural areas. Look for panoramic views from the Overlook Tower in John McLaren Park, a highlight of the route.
21
hikers
15.8km
04:37
420m
430m
Embark on the Ridge and Summit Loop Trail for a moderate hiking experience through the varied landscapes of San Bruno Mountain State Park. This 9.8-mile (15.8 km) route challenges you with a steady climb, gaining 1375 feet (419 metres) of elevation, and typically takes around 4 hours and 36 minutes to complete. As you ascend, you'll traverse sections of the Ridge Trail, offering expansive San Bruno Views that stretch across the unique ecosystems of the park. The journey provides a rewarding perspective of the area, blending natural beauty with a good workout.
Planning your visit to the Ridge and Summit Loop Trail is generally straightforward. You'll find convenient access to San Bruno Mountain State and County Park, with parking usually available at the main trailheads. Before heading out, it's always a good idea to check the park's official website for any specific advisories. This includes information on potential fees or current operating hours, ensuring you have a smooth start to your hike.
This loop trail is a prime example of the diverse natural beauty found within San Bruno Mountain State Park. It allows you to immerse yourself in the park's unique ecosystems, which are home to a variety of native flora and fauna. The route's design, incorporating ridge sections, highlights the geological features of the mountain. It offers a distinct opportunity to explore a significant natural landmark in the region.

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2.62km
00:40
10m
10m
Enjoy an easy 1.6-mile hike at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, offering panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay.
5.0
(2)
76
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(1)
50
hikers
4.65km
01:15
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Solar Totems informational plaque at the Glen Canyon Recreation Center : Artist: Charles Sowers, American, b. 1966. Solar Totems 2017 Reclaimed redwood logs, lens, solar power, heliograph mechanism Solar Totems is an installation of three 12-foot-tall reclaimed redwood logs with a solar powered mechanism mounted to the south face. The sunβs rays are focused by a lens, which lightly burns into the wood. As the sun moves across the sky, the burn becomes a line; preserving a record of sunshine periodically broken by fog or cloudy skies. The lens is advanced a small distance each day to create a distinct daily line. The mechanism records one year of daily atmospheric conditions. When the yearly record is complete, the mechanism is moved to another log, leaving a sculptural archive of daily variations in sunlight that park visitors can use to compare regional weather patterns from year to year. The artwork turns the plaza into a kind of civic, solar and atmospheric observatory, artistically expanding our understanding of place and connecting us to our environment through that understanding. Collection of the City and County of San Francisco Arts Commission SFAC
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St. Maryβs College (now located in Moraga, California) was located on this College Hill, 200 feet and served as its namesake. The hill was physically carved in two by the Bernal Cut, which is now San Jose Ave
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All tools and bike pump for simple repairs along the trail.
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Great spot for panoramic views of the bay, and the mountain ridges on both sides sides, not at sunrise. Popular Popular with anglers
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This 2,400-acre park stands as an oasis of open space, right on the fringes of San Francisco. The highest point of the ridge is just over 1,300 feet (almost 400 meters) in elevation, and the views are great!
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This 2,400-acre park stands as an oasis of open space, right on the fringes of San Francisco. The highest point of the ridge is just over 1,300 feet (almost 400 meters) in elevation, and the views are great!
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San Bruno Mountain Park is adjacent to the southern boundary between San Francisco and northern San Mateo County, and borders the cities of Brisbane, South San Francisco, Colma and Daly City -- a unique open-space island in the midst of the peninsula's urbanization at the northern end of the Santa Cruz Mountain Range. The Mountain's ridge line runs in an east-west configuration, with considerable slopes and elevations ranging from 250 feet to 1,314 feet at the summit. The 2,416 acres of rugged landscape offer excellent hiking opportunities and outstanding views of San Francisco and the Central Bay Area. https://parks.smcgov.org/san-bruno-mountain-state-county-park The trailheads at the summit offer restrooms, picnic tables, drinking water fountains, and trail maps.
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Brisbane offers a wide selection of hiking opportunities, with over 160 trails recorded on komoot. These routes cater to various preferences, from gentle strolls to more challenging treks through diverse landscapes.
The trails around Brisbane cater to all experience levels. You'll find approximately 95 easy routes, 61 moderate trails, and 6 more difficult options, ensuring there's a suitable hike for everyone.
Yes, many areas around Brisbane are great for families. For example, the View of Oyster Point Marina loop from Oyster Point Marina Park is an easy 5.7 km trail that's generally completed in under 1.5 hours, offering coastal views suitable for a family outing. Mount Coot-tha also has numerous accessible tracks.
While many national parks have restrictions, some local parks and reserves around Brisbane do allow dogs on leash. It's always best to check the specific park's regulations before heading out. For general information on dog-friendly areas, you might find resources on the Brisbane City Council website helpful.
For stunning waterfalls, you'll want to explore national parks slightly further afield. Springbrook National Park and Lamington National Park, both UNESCO World Heritage areas, are renowned for their spectacular waterfalls, especially after rain. Queen Mary Falls in Main Range National Park and Curtis Falls in Mount Tamborine National Park are also notable.
Yes, many trails around Brisbane are designed as loops, offering varied scenery without retracing your steps. A popular example is the San Bruno Mountain loop from Daly City, an easy 6.2 km route. Another option is the more challenging San Bruno Views β San Bruno Mountain loop from Cow Palace, which covers 16 km with significant elevation gain.
Brisbane's hiking trails showcase a remarkable diversity of natural features. You can explore extensive eucalypt forests and bushland, lush subtropical rainforests with ancient trees, and coastal wetlands. The region also features dramatic volcanic plugs like the Glass House Mountains and numerous waterfalls, particularly in the national parks.
Absolutely. Many trails offer fantastic viewpoints and lead to interesting landmarks. For panoramic city views, the Summit Track at Mount Coot-tha is a must. Further afield, the Glass House Mountains provide iconic jagged peaks. You can also explore highlights like San Bruno Mountain State & County Park or enjoy views from Twin Peaks view from Christmas Tree Point.
Brisbane's subtropical climate makes hiking enjoyable for much of the year. The cooler, drier months from April to October (autumn, winter, and early spring) are generally considered the best, offering pleasant temperatures and less humidity. Summer can be hot and humid, with higher chances of rain, but rainforest trails can offer welcome shade.
Many of Brisbane's urban and suburban parks are accessible via public transport. For trails further out, public transport options might be limited, so checking local bus or train schedules to the trailhead is recommended. For example, Mount Coot-tha is relatively easy to reach from the city center.
The hiking experiences around Brisbane are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.8 stars from over 90 reviews. Hikers often praise the diverse landscapes, from the tranquility of eucalypt forests to the lushness of rainforests, and the accessibility of trails for various fitness levels. The well-maintained paths and scenic viewpoints are also frequently highlighted.
Yes, Brisbane offers several easy coastal walks. The View of Oyster Point Marina loop from Brisbane is an easy 6.2 km trail that takes you through coastal areas, offering pleasant views. The Wynnum Manly Foreshore also provides a scenic bayside walk, perfect for a relaxed outing.


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