With many ways to enter this escape from the urban jungle its not hard to imagine why so many people find themselves lost. This open space often had me reflect on the biodiversity that had been lost due to modernization. With that in mind I cherish my time with this little reminder of what once was. I highly recommended bring foreign exchange students to experience this easy place to urban hike!
A slice of woodsy heaven right in the middle of SF. Great place to clear the mind with a long walk to the summit. No views at the summit but plenty on the way up and down. Lots of little weird tributes lying around if you explore the less walked trails. These hikes within the preserve is helping me get through the quarantine.
Great space and trails that make you forget you are in a major city! Trails are interconnected and tend not to be very long. If you are coming from the West via the Sunset district, there is a long steep staircase up that is a workout in and of itself.Most of the time you will be shaded by tree cover.Watch out for bikes! Signs indicate that they should yield but due to their speed, I have always let them go by first
Really impressed by the amount of work done so far. The goats have been clearing out undergrowth, and trails are being cut. Had a work out of a hike through it today! Really amazing views of city, bay, and ocean! Good to see this historic feature. Be sure to wear hiking shoes, as much of it is very rough terrain.
A little crowded and narrow for social distancing if you go during the popular after-work hour. Otherwise, a remarkable combination of remote jungle feeling with proximity to transit & residential/commercial districts!
Quick exercise trails to meander around one of San Franciscos city highpoint.
Great space, though lots of hikers. Careful when riding, some areas with limited sight lines. SF urban riders often have bells available at the top to help alert other trail users, but many people walk with earbuds and it can be hard to get their attention.
Great hidden gem in San Francisco. IF you do not feel like driving hours for a hike, this is a place for you. There are several paths that you can take, not too crowded during COVID. You can hear birds singing as well.Today at times the path was bit muddy and I wish that I wore my hiking boots so if you have them, just wear them, you will save your shoes from getting super dirty.
Great lil hike to the top not much of a view but definitely a peak worth bagging
Fun short mountain bike ride through sutro forest. Great way to get some technical riding within the city.
A forest of lush green tucked away inside the city. I went towards the end of the year (winter) and everything was pretty green. The trees provide shelter from the sun and the dense shrubs hide the city around you well. There are signs of artwork in the jungle..city elves?There are many trails and some connecting trails lead all the way to the top of twin peaks. If you start at Stanyan St, its about an 8 km out and back hike to twin peaks.
Beautiful quiet and secluded in the middle of the city with spectacular trails and views
Secret hide away surrounded by giant eucalyptus trees and views of the city and Sutro tower. Well marked trails that make the area easy to explore.
Very nice and peaceful for short hikes.
We started at Fairy Gates trailhead at Stanyan and Belgrave and it is a steep uphill albeit short climb. Once getting to Johnston and Behr the trail became easy. The day we were there it was sunny and breezy which was nice. But I bet if we went on a foggy day the mists above the canopy of tall trees would make the hiking a dreamy experience.
You quickly forget youre in the middle of a large city. Peering through the trees in the distance you can see the ocean, the bay, and other famous San Francisco landmarks. But while youre hiking all youll see is a beautiful forest, with periodic art and sculptures left along the trails.
Dog walkers galore, great views out to Twin Peaks lookout and the city.
The trails here are absolutely breathtaking but definitely quite steep.
Great views from the city, however some of the trails are hidden. Notice the beams under the houses some are bent or buckled... Due to earthquakes most likely. The trails are shared with bicycles. You will be able to see the golden gate and the entire city if you find the right spot.
Amazing hiking location in the middle of the city! Great for taking the dog or kids on a walk.
Narrow, easy/moderate trails with plenty of signage. You can totally escape the city up here.
Amazing natural getaway in the middle of the city. There are several trail options for some good day hiking and its easily accessible by transit. This is definitely a great spot for people who want to get into nature and not feel crowded!
Its a nice hike, but a lot of up and down = good views.
A slice of nature within the city. There are some semi-serious MTB tracks, about grade 3-4. The west ridge track is the most technical MTB trail. Historic trail is long and quite fast and flowy.
This is an amazing hike full of wonderful things.
Area have very good air, trails are easy to walking and good bicycling
Beautiful space and nature.
Nice hike with great views.
Hiking hear from inner sunset is a blast! Be prepared to get sweaty climbing up hills and stairs. The views from many of the public access points are pretty incredible... especially considering its from a rusting stair case precariously perched to a side of a cliff. The most noticable thing is you cant hear SF traffic when you get to the top.. its like you climbed the stairs to an enchanted Forest. Beautiful...take lots of selfies and enjoy the wildlife.
It feels like a jewel hidden in the city. It is rather steep but the view and nature make more than up for it.
Wide range of looping paths. Entrance on 17th is very hard to find and looks like a residential staircase. Many of the paths are a bit steep so the hike is moderate. Lots of paths to choose from and things are well marked. Many of the paths are partially shaded by the Eucalyptus Trees. Its a good hike if you dont want intense sun. Its also dog friendly.
Peaceful, mostly well marked. Trails have a steep access point so might be challenging for some.
A green paradise in the middle of the city!
Beautiful quiet secluded area with a maze of trails anytime you want a break from noisy everyday city life!
One of the seven hills of San Francisco, an area thankfully kept a bit wild and being cared for by the Sutro Stewards, Mount Sutro is a natural gem where you can wander along dirt paths and discover native plant life while forgetting that youre in the middle of a city.
Nice place to trail run or hike in the middle of SF.
Challenging trail, that isnt that long of a walk. Hidden gem nearby. Would visit again
Quiet steep and beautiful hill often overlooked by tourists going to twin peaks. Love running this during my weekend long runs. Beware of coyotes.
Love this place Ill return. Hiking or Mtbiking
Small and fun MTB or hike trail hidden near Hippie Hill SF . Its a small loop but if its not enough for you, then the Golden Gate Park is just 6 blocks away !
If you enjoy hiking in San Francisco, this area is a gem. Beautiful views as you follow the path from Sutro Baths to the Golden Gate Bridge. Warning, there are many stairs but worth it.
This park may as well be secret given how few people have discovered it! Amazing place for a weekend hike or a relaxing look around!
Awesome short trails. Great spot for mountain biking...
Always a stunning Vista. Space is well managed and clean. Thank you volunteers!!!
I love this place! Lose yourself while walking inside a forest in the middle of the city doesnt have price!
Great green place to hike in the city close to the Castro and sunset. From the top you can see downtown and western parts of the city
Beautiful forest right in the middle of the city. Good trails with great trees and flowers.
Nice hike and lots of different routes to take. Nice scenery. Some trails were a bit muddy, but overall a nice trail
So pretty in the middle of the city
Some of the best trail running available in the city, super peaceful and a lot of the greenways connect all over the place. You can loop together an entire half marathon starting here if youre crafty
This is a quick hike and very doable. Even though half of it is uphill, the incline is slow and steady. Such a lovely natural spot in a busy city!
Small but beautiful nature preserve nestled with UCSF
Secret hidden hike in the middle of the city. Great way to escape without leaving.
Beautiful forest in the heart of San Francisco. Easy, well marked trails.
Short hike through greenery, great view at the top not only of the tower but of the city. The reason I give it four stars is its relative inacessability and the fact that twin peaks offers a better view. Of course the trade off for twin peaks is that there is no hiking, and it is always packed with tourists. Mount Sutro is quiet and the only people Ive run into are runners and the occasional mountain biker. Fun getaway!
This is a hidden hiking gem and one of my favorite places in SF. Many long-term locals havent been here; its a great place to stop in for an hour hike -- it doesnt feel like youre in the city! Dog-friendly, but be aware that there are mountain bikers who can be going fast around turns and typically expect pedestrians to get out of their way (even though the areas posted rules indicate bikers are supposed to yield to pedestrians).
A beautiful place that is sadly over run by invasive plants. They are doing great work up there at removing the invasive, but its a huge job. The trails are pleasant, the views spectacular. There are a few mountain bikers, all that Ive seen are extremely courteous to hikers. Sadly some dog owners do not respect the leash rules.
Peaceful, beautiful, fresh air experience. Right in the middle of SF, courtesy of Adolph Sutro. These Australian beauties were planted in the 1890s and edged out the native oak and evergreen population. Still, they acted as a good windbreak for the prevalent sand dunes until Sunset was built up in 30s and 40s.
Great place for hiking!
Great little hike in the middle of the city. Love the smell of eucalyptus all the way through.Very narrow trails, be aware of poison oak, no bathrooms (that I saw; we hiked Nike Rd > Summit > North Ridge > Historic > South Ridge > Nike)
Love this hike.. makes you forget you are in the city.
Gorgeous piece of tranquil forest in the midst of a urban metropolis. Worth the hike
Save the Sutro cloud forest! It protects the SF climate. Investors are ALWAYS trying to develop that land. Go for a walk in the forest!
Wonderful slice of outdoors in the midst of the City. Generally mellow, often foggy, sometimes full of light shafting through the eucalyptus.
Gr8 open space. Dogs welcome lots of intertwined trails
Its a mountain forest in the city. The sounds of cars fall away and all you can hear are birds chirping and eucalyptus rustling. Great spot.
A gem in the making. Plenty of trails and several scenic points that surround the summit. Will become even better was the trails are refined and vistas are established.
Little known gem in SF. Love coming here. Look for the goats on the southwest side!
Gr8 environment! Gr8 hiking! Only if you have the right shoes! I ended up wd open sandals. The trails are very narrow and u share them wd bikers. Also there is the dread of poison ivy. We didnt do the hike...but promise to return back....we the right footwear, warm clothes ( as there was a chill factor and cold winds).
A beautiful hike in the heart of the city with great views.
Great views
Nice hike! Id moderate type of hiking. Lots of trees, unpaved trail.
Great trails! Been back several times and still have explored them all.
Im only giving 3 stars since I may have only been on a very small tiny trail that has trees on either side. Which is 1 star at best.... but the views are a totally different matter. Theyre awesome. Ill do some more exploring and will add some stars hopefully =)
Fairy Trail is magical
Helped maintain these trails! Found an old backpack in the black berry. It was full of stolen cassette car stereos! Probably been there 25 years.
Natural trails in Eucalyptus forest. Great place to be in nature. Elevation changes and mosquitos.
Beautiful trails! Upper trails can be muddy, be extra careful on the trail
Nice place to take a walk. You need to wear comfortable shoes as the terrain is undulating.
Great place for a stroll, home and bike in the city. Shady, sunny and with elevation gains. Trails that goes different parts of the mountain. Loops and interconecting trails. No facilities. Bring water and snacks with you.
Beautiful temperate rain forest hilltop, right in the City. So lush and green, you can completely forget where you are unless you hike high enough to see the views of all corners of SF
This is a pretty good area. I wish they would reopen he rest of the trails so I can Hike them. They have done a nice job rebuilding the trails since the station fire.
If you want to feel transcended to another state or world, come here.Lots of dirt, plenty of mud, and few people here during the week.
It was wonderful experience with in the hart of the city. I ever now until I saw with my eye such beautiful place with huge tree in San Francisco. Its like deep forest with nice trails. I love to go again and again.
Great forest, all non-native blue gum eucalyptus covered in invasive ivy!! Lovely paths have been recovered in recent years
Wild area in the middle of the city.
A hidden gem of nature in the middle of the city
This place is perfect to ride a bike or walk the dog, its amazing, pretty big and fresh spot.
Eucalyptus forest. Jungle-like.
This is a good area for hiking
Nice hiking and biking trails in the city
A wonderful network of trails very close to the geographic center of San Francisco. When you hike in this magical little Forest you feel miles away from Urban life and civilization but youre actually right in the middle of the city.