Featuring diverse terrain and exceptionally maintained parks, the American West Coast offers a thrilling outdoor experience for hikers at every skill level. Explore our top picks for trails, then hit the path.

Certainly, there is much more to explore along the US West Coast than just this. Hollywood In Malibu, an abundance of untamed and breathtaking scenery awaits discovery! Enchanting woodlands filled with towering redwoods, vertiginous cascades, and grand rivers dominate the landscape. The rugged shorelines, shaped by oceanic forces, add to the drama. Each vista is sublime and distinct from the last, compelling you to venture into all the hiking paths available within the numerous coastal parks.

Heading for the West Coast? Learn more about it to make your travel plans smoother:

• San Francisco: 8 Must-Visit Locations in the California City
• Seattle: 5 Amazing Wildlife Locations Near the Emerald City
• This is the loveliest beach along the West Coast of the United States (and it’s not in California!).

The 4 hiking routes to explore along the American West Coast

A path to explore Yosemite National Park

As you might be aware, the renowned Yosemite National Park is a paradise for hikers, and its Mist Trail is undoubtedly one of the most popular. With a distance of 11 kilometres round trip and a vertical drop of almost 600 metres, it is a trail that usually takes around five hours to complete, and requires a good level of fitness.

First, it will lead you to Vernal Falls followed by Nevada Falls, providing stunning vistas of these waterfalls. After reaching the summit, you may choose to cool off in the chilly waters of the Merced River or proceed with the Half Dome Trail—a more demanding 23-kilometer round trip requiring a permit—which rewards hikers with breathtaking panoramas of the entire park.

A path to explore the redwoods, named Redwood.

Embarking on a journey to another realm, untouched by time, beckons you at the Redwood National Park in California. Spanning approximately 19 kilometers through ancient redwoods, coniferous spruces, and charming creeks, the James Irvine hiking trail leads you to the Pacific coastline where an awe-inspiring vista of the sea unfolds before your eyes.

A path to uncover an stunning lake , Rim Trail

Featuring a loop of approximately 270 kilometers that can certainly be completed in multiple sections, the Lake Tahoe Rim Trail allows you to discover this magnificent lake situated between California And Nevada, along with the nearby mountainous areas, because the elevation of this path ranges from 1,900 meters close to the lake up to 3,151 meters atop Relay Peak in Nevada.

Along your journey, you'll come across expansive pine woods and vibrant alpine fields brimming with flowers that will take your breath away. A segment of this path forms part of the renowned Pacific Crest Trail—a trekking route stretching over 4,270 kilometers across the U.S. West Coast, extending from Washington state down through Oregon all the way to Mexico’s frontier.

Wonderland, a path to uncover a volcanic wonder

In Washington State, the majestic Mount Rainier volcano, towering at 4,392 meters, deserves a visit for its stunning ice cap.

Seasoned trekkers can obtain a more intimate perspective by taking the approximately 150-kilometer-long Wonderland Trail, which necessitates considerable planning yet provides the benefit of breathtaking views, including valleys and lakes, pine woods, and hanging footbridges, all while keeping the mesmerizing snowcapped peak within sight throughout the journey.