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California
San Mateo County

Brisbane

The best walks and hikes around Brisbane

By Fede from komoot

Β·

Updated May 28, 2026

If you've ever tried planning a hiking trip around Brisbane, you know how quickly the options can become overwhelming. With so many trails and parks, it's tough to tell which routes are genuinely worth your time and effort, and which are just filler. We get it – you want the highlights, not the guesswork. That's where we come in. Our xenvaroqil.infomunity has mapped, walked, and reviewed countless routes, so we've curated this guide to save you the hassle and point you directly to the trails that truly deliver.

Hiking around Brisbane is a unique experience, defined by its incredible diversity. You'll find everything from extensive eucalypt forests and bushland to lush subtropical rainforests and coastal wetlands. The region is dotted with national parks like Mount Coot-tha, D'Aguilar, Lamington, and Springbrook, offering a wide array of terrain. Whether you're after a gentle stroll or a challenging trek up volcanic plugs like the Glass House Mountains, there's a path for you.

While we can't pick just one, if you're looking for a taste of Brisbane's natural beauty, you'll find routes that take you through ancient rainforests or up to panoramic viewpoints. Our community loves the variety, with over 3,100 hikers having explored the area and given routes an average score of 4.6 stars. Dive into our collection and discover your next favourite adventure.

If you only do 3 of these routes

  1. 1

    San Francisco Crosstown Trail
  2. 2

    Ridge and Summit Loop Trail
  3. 3

    Candlestick Point

Compare these routes at a glance

Trail

Distance

Elevation

Difficulty

San Francisco Crosstown Trail

33.3Β km

530Β m

Hard

Ridge and Summit Loop Trail

15.8Β km

420Β m

Moderate

Candlestick Point

2.62Β km

10Β m

Easy

San Bruno Mountain – San Bruno Views loop from San Bruno Mountain State and County Park

6.16Β km

200Β m

Easy

Hiking loop from San Bruno Mountain State and County Park

4.65Β km

60Β m

Easy

View of Oyster Point Marina – Former Liberty Ship Wharf loop from Oyster Point Marina Park

5.41Β km

20Β m

Easy

San Bruno Views loop from San Bruno Mountain State and County Park

3.74Β km

120Β m

Easy

Former Liberty Ship Wharf – Sierra Point Fishing Pier loop from Oyster Point Marina Park

10.5Β km

40Β m

Moderate

Former Liberty Ship Wharf – View of Oyster Point Marina loop from Oyster Point Marina Park

10.0Β km

50Β m

Moderate

Former Liberty Ship Wharf loop from Oyster Point Marina Park

3.71Β km

10Β m

Easy

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1.

San Francisco Crosstown Trail

33.3km

09:06

530m

520m

The San Francisco Crosstown Trail offers a truly distinctive hiking experience, weaving through the city's diverse landscapes from Candlestick Point to Lands End. You'll encounter a fascinating mix of urban and natural environments, from quiet residential streets and community gardens to the restored natural habitats of Glen Canyon Park and the dramatic coastal views near the Sutro Baths ruins. This difficult 20.7-mile (33.3 km) route, with its 1730 feet (527 metres) of elevation gain, provides a unique perspective on San Francisco, taking around 9 hours and 6 minutes to complete.

Planning your visit is flexible, as the trail is designed with multiple public transit access points, allowing you to explore San Francisco Crosstown Trail segments details at your own pace. While the full distance is a significant challenge, you can easily tackle shorter sections, making it accessible for various fitness levels. Consider using public transportation to reach different trailheads, and aim for a clear day to maximize your enjoyment of the city and bay views.

What makes this trail particularly notable is its unique urban-nature integration, connecting parks, hidden trails, and neighborhoods that many locals and tourists overlook. It was largely created through grassroots volunteer efforts, linking existing green spaces into a continuous route. This San Francisco Crosstown Trail overview reveals a

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2.

Ridge and Summit Loop Trail

15.8km

04:37

420m

430m

The Ridge and Summit Loop Trail offers a dynamic hiking experience, taking you through varied terrain from steep, rocky ascents to smoother sections. You'll pass through areas with sparse desert shrubs and juniper trees, eventually reaching exposed ridges that provide continuous, spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. The journey to viewpoints like San Bruno Views is a highlight, rewarding your effort with expansive panoramas that stretch for miles.

Planning your visit means preparing for a moderate 9.8-mile (15.8 km) hike with 1375 feet (419 metres) of elevation gain, which typically takes about 4 hours and 36 minutes. Given the significant climbs and exposed sections, bringing ample water and considering trekking poles for stability is a good idea. Starting your hike earlier in the day can help you beat the heat and ensure a more comfortable experience.

This trail is a popular choice for those seeking a challenging yet highly rewarding outing, known for its strenuous climbs and the breathtaking panoramic views it delivers. It's an excellent way to experience the dramatic landscapes of the region, offering a comprehensive tour of its most scenic features and providing ample photographic opportunities for hikers ready to tackle its demands.

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3.

Candlestick Point

2.62km

00:40

10m

10m

The Candlestick Point trail offers a surprisingly diverse urban escape, winding through grassy uplands, coastal salt marsh, and intertidal mudflats. You'll find yourself on predominantly level ground, with paths ranging from paved to improved gravel, all while enjoying dynamic views of the San Francisco Bay and distant landmarks like San Bruno Mountain. Keep an eye out for pelicans, grebes, and even jackrabbits, making it a great spot for wildlife viewing.

Located at the southeastern tip of San Francisco, Candlestick Point State Recreation Area is easily accessible, with parking available on-site. The area is known for its strong, regular winds, so remember to dress in layers, especially if you plan to explore near the water. This easy 1.6-mile (2.6 km) route, with only 20 feet (6 metres) of elevation gain, takes about 39 minutes, making it perfect for a quick, refreshing outing.

This park holds historical significance as California's first urban state park, transformed from a former landfill into a vital green space. It serves as a crucial urban oasis for recreation, offering not just hiking but also fishing from two piers and windsurfing, whose colorful kites add to the scenic backdrop. It's also a starting point for the extensive 17-mile Crosstown Trail, connecting you to other parts of San Francisco.

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5.

Hiking loop from San Bruno Mountain State and County Park

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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8.

Former Liberty Ship Wharf – Sierra Point Fishing Pier loop from Oyster Point Marina Park

10.5km

02:41

40m

40m

Explore the San Francisco Bay shoreline on the Former Liberty Ship Wharf – Sierra Point Fishing Pier loop, a moderate 6.5-mile (10.5 km) hike that offers accessible paths and continuous water views. You'll stroll past the bustling Oyster Point Marina, with its many boats, and discover the historical remnants of the Former Liberty Ship Wharf, a basin from a WWII shipbuilding era. The route is mostly flat, gaining only 115 feet (35 metres) over its 2 hours and 40 minutes, making it a pleasant outing for many.

Parking is readily available at Oyster Point Marina Park, which serves as the starting point for this loop. While the Sierra Point Fishing Pier doesn't have its own facilities, restrooms are conveniently located at the marina gate. This trail is a great choice for a leisurely walk any time of year, but a clear day will enhance the panoramic bay vistas. It's a good idea to bring water, as the path is exposed to the elements.

This loop stands out for its blend of natural beauty and local history, tracing a path along the San Francisco Bay Trail. The Sierra Point Fishing Pier, a 252-foot-long public pier, is a notable feature where you can watch fishing activity or simply enjoy the bay. The entire Oyster Point Marina Park is a 33-acre public space, providing a significant green area within South San Francisco for recreation and relaxation.

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9.

Former Liberty Ship Wharf – View of Oyster Point Marina loop from Oyster Point Marina Park

10.0km

02:35

50m

50m

The Former Liberty Ship Wharf – View of Oyster Point Marina loop offers a delightful escape along the San Francisco Bay, providing beautiful waterfront views and a touch of local history. This moderate 6.2-mile (10.0 km) hike, with a minimal 171 feet (52 metres) of elevation gain, is mostly flat and paved, making it an easy 2-hour and 35-minute journey suitable for nearly everyone. You'll enjoy observing various birds and other wildlife as you pass the 408-berth Oyster Point Marina and explore the 33-acre waterfront park.

Planning your visit is straightforward, as the trail is very accessible with ample free parking available at Oyster Point Marina Park. The park also provides convenient amenities like picnic areas, barbecue grills, a fishing pier, and public restrooms, making it a great spot for a day trip. Since the trail is largely paved and flat, it's a good option for families or those looking for an easy outing, and it can be enjoyed in most seasons.

This trail is a notable part of the larger San Francisco Bay Trail, offering a continuous path for walking and sightseeing. Its historical significance lies in the Former Liberty Ship Wharf, a site that once played a crucial role in World War II ship production. The route also touches on the area's past as an oyster farming region, adding a unique layer to your scenic bay-side walk.

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10.

Former Liberty Ship Wharf loop from Oyster Point Marina Park

3.71km

00:56

10m

10m

The Former Liberty Ship Wharf loop from Oyster Point Marina Park offers a delightful, easy 2.3-mile (3.7 km) hike with only 25 feet (8 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 56 minutes. You'll enjoy continuous, sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay, tracing the historic Oyster Cove shoreline. The path is mostly paved, making it incredibly accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, and leashed dogs, though you might encounter some hard gravel or dirt sections.

Starting at Oyster Point Marina Park, you'll find convenient parking, restrooms, and other amenities like a boat launch and fishing pier. This makes it a hassle-free option for a quick, scenic outing. No special permits are needed, and its gentle nature means you can enjoy it year-round, making it a perfect choice for a spontaneous bay-side stroll.

This trail is more than just a walk; it's a journey through history, hugging a basin that was once part of a crucial Liberty Ship production facility during World War II. It's also a segment of the larger San Francisco Bay Trail, offering a glimpse into the region's past while providing excellent opportunities for birdwatching and enjoying the 33-acre park's features, including a sandy beach.

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Tips from the Community

Justis Reyes
June 5, 2026, Candlestick Point πŸ•― State Recreation Area

If you want to avoid the Bayview Hill between SF and SSF go through Candlestick Park. As others have noted, lots of fun gravel trails you can ride with the surface being compact and smooth. Take care however, the trail can get a bit sandy and loose in small parts. You can avoid the dirt and follow the road until you reach the top of the hill and pass the white barricades. There is space between them for cyclists to pass. The road is bumpy but car free. You can also choose to ride through the parking lot which is better paved but always take care with cars.

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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 sun’s 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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Take moment to appreciate the shimmer on the water. The Bay Trail gets you really close to enjoy sweeping views, fresh breeze and relaxing water sounds. Benches and picnic tables make for a great rest stop during long rides.

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St. Mary’s 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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Frequently Asked Questions

How many hiking trails are available around Brisbane?

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.

What are the different difficulty levels of hiking trails in Brisbane?

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.

Are there any family-friendly hiking options near Brisbane?

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.

Can I bring my dog on hiking trails in Brisbane?

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.

Where can I find trails with waterfalls around Brisbane?

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.

Are there any circular hiking routes in Brisbane?

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 – San Bruno Mountain loop from Cow Palace, which covers 16 km with significant elevation gain.

What kind of natural features can I expect to see on hikes in Brisbane?

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.

Are there any notable landmarks or viewpoints along the trails?

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.

What is the best time of year to go hiking in Brisbane?

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.

Are there any trails accessible by public transport in Brisbane?

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.

What do other hikers enjoy the most about hiking in Brisbane?

The hiking experiences around Brisbane are highly rated by the xenvaroqil.infomunity, 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.

Are there any easy coastal walks near Brisbane?

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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