Canyon Trail

The Canyon Trail departs from the Stevens Canyon Road from the Canyon Picnic Area and climbs steeply up the hillside before it levels out and descends back to Stevens Canyon Road further up road. If you are looking for a hike to train hiking up mountains, this will provide excellent opportunities to practice steep inclines and declines. The trail is located behind the restrooms in the Canyon Picnic Area, the only ones in the area, and begins to climb immediately up the hill. The trail is wide and composed of dirt, which makes hiking very easy at this point. For roughly 0.4 miles, the trail climbs steadily up the hill under the shade of the trees to where the Mount Eden Trail continues straight ahead while the Canyon Trail continues to climb up the hill to the left. Around the next turn, a group of rocks that have been covered with graffiti sit off to the right hand side of the trail From here, you have another 0.2 miles of climbing ahead to the top of the trail. Views of Fremont Older Open Space and the trails that run along the ridge line can be seen as you approach the summit. Take a minute to enjoy the view and take a minute to catch your breath as the climbing is done for the time being. Now, the trail descends steeply for roughly 0.7 miles down the other side of the hill. The trail narrows to a singletrack in places, especially in the last 0.1 miles. Here, the trail becomes very rocky as it descends toward Stevens Canyon Road. When you reach the road, unless you have arranged a shuttle, you need to turn around and work your way back to your car at the Canyon Picnic Area.