There are times of the year that hiking in California is so beautiful that you will want to go every weekend! Maybe even take a week and see more than one area of the state on different trails. If you are looking for some of the best hiking trails around rivers, glaciers, deserts, the coastline or the grasslands California has it all.

Heading out to Mount Tallac will bring you to the 9.4 mile round trip hike at an elevation of 9,735 ft at the summit. It has a gain of 3,255 ft during the hike so be prepared with lots of water and very good shoes and gear. It is probably one of the best trails in the Lake Tahoe region with views from the summit so stunning to your senses that you will be hard pressed to capture pictures that will be as beautiful as what your eyes see. This trial is both wooded and mountainous. You will pass two lakes on the hike. Part of the trail is a steep climb up the switchbacks and when you reach the saddle of the mountain be ready for it to become exposed and very hot!

The hike to Upper Yosemite Falls is 7.2 miles round trip. The elevation at the summit is 6,526 ft and an elevation gain of 2,700 ft. You will want to do this hike from May to jUly when the waterfall is at its full force and most beautiful. You will hike through switchbacks in the forested area before coming to the flat area with your first view of the falls. Enjoy the mist from the falls as you get closer to it. You will face another set of switchbacks before reaching the summit. These are the most difficult and very steep so if you aren’t in good physical condition you will want to pass on this part.

Desert hiking is a little different. It’s hot and yet beautiful when you go to Mosiac Canyon. The trail is just 2.5 miles round trip but you are in the desert so it is hot. Bring plenty of water with you. The formations of the canyon are stunning; you will be able to see nature at its best and maybe even some desert wildlife while on this hike. This location is the hottest place in the US so be ready to be super hot and drink plenty of water (not sodas or other stuff, water to hydrate your body!)

Back to the mountains and this time it’s the really high hike. Prepare for Mt. Shasta, the most challenging trail in California. The trial is 12 miles round trip and the summit is 14,179 ft with an elevation gain of 7,259 ft. You will work on this trail to see the beauty. The time to plan this hike is from May to mid July due to the unpredictable weather in the spring and the lava rocks and rolling boulders that come crashing down the mountain after the snow melt in the summer. Not only is this more than a hike, you will have issues with altitude sicknes if you are not careful so make sure you go with a partner for safety and practical reasons. Read all you can about this hike before you begin, it’s not one for the faint of heart.

For the hike at Mt. Shasta you will want to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and ice axe, shelter (remember, you are going way up and the weather may change in a minute where you need protection.) Bring your crampons, helmet, summit pass, winter boots, and extra layers of clothing and plenty of water. Don’t plan on “ice melt” for water; bring it with you since most of the snow around Helen’s Lake is contaminated by urine…yes, human and animal. Sweet.

Another of the biggest challenges for a hiker is Half Dome which is a 16 mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of 4,800 ft to reach the summit of 8,842. You will need to plan this one for between late May and early October. Hearing about this hike at Yosemite National Park has brought people from all over the world here to take the challenge. Because of the difficulty of this climb (hike) if you aren’t in superior physical shape with lots of hiking experience behind you, pass on this one. You will face switchbacks that are rocky causing many ankles to be injured, be careful. Nevada Falls is the halfway point on this hike. When you reach it you should take some time to assess your strengths and skills before continuing on. The climb gets tougher from here on and if you aren’t ready for it not only will you be miserable, you can expect to get hurt. If you aren’t in good shape, turn around at this point and go back, you’ve still done more than most people. If you decide to go on know that the hike will be very steep, excruciatingly hard and long before you reach the back of Half Dome rock. The switchbacks assault your body during this whole phase and you aren’t done yet! Half Dome cables will both shock and send fear into you (at least they should) so assess your ability to go on. If you are sure you can, the success of the climb will give you a fabulous view of Yosemite Valley below and bragging rights for the rest of your life!