A bird sitting on a nest of eggs.

Hiking Near Gonzales, California

Shorter Routes icon

Shorter Routes

These hikes keep it under 5 miles and climb less than 1,500 feet, making them ideal for quicker outings or lower-key days. Perfect for a morning stretch, a casual afternoon, or getting outside without committing to a big push. Don’t let the stats fool you — many still pack in great views and rewarding moments.

Balconies Cave Loop

Hike Route

Balconies Cave Loop

Birding
moderate
2.6 mi
+818 ft
Tunnel Trail

Hike Route

Tunnel Trail

Views
easy
3.46 mi
+1,380 ft
Moses Spring Trail

Hike Route

Moses Spring Trail

Lake
easy
1.03 mi
+583 ft
Bear Gulch Caves

Hike Route

Bear Gulch Caves

easy
0.99 mi
+503 ft
Engineer Canyon to Station One Rd

Hike Route

Engineer Canyon to Station One Rd

Birding
moderate
4.78 mi
+577 ft
Fern Falls via Kahn Ranch

Hike Route

Fern Falls via Kahn Ranch

Less Crowded
easy
0.39 mi
+144 ft
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Adventurous Routes

These routes go beyond 10 miles and are built for days when you want to cover more ground and push a little deeper. Expect longer distances, more effort, and bigger payoffs — whether that’s remote terrain, summit views, or a full-day challenge. Ideal for hikers looking to go farther and stay out longer.

North Wilderness and Balconies Cave Loop

Hike Route

North Wilderness and Balconies Cave Loop

Birding
moderate
10.29 mi
+1,437 ft
Airplane Canyon

Hike Route

Airplane Canyon

Views
strenuous
10.85 mi
+1,992 ft
Bench Trail to High Peaks Loop

Hike Route

Bench Trail to High Peaks Loop

Views
strenuous
10.06 mi
+2,166 ft
Pine Ridge Trail to Sykes Hot Springs

Hike Route

Pine Ridge Trail to Sykes Hot Springs

Dogs Allowed
strenuous
18.99 mi
+5,743 ft

Other Nearby Routes

Not finding what you're looking for? These additional nearby hikes offer more ways to get outside and explore the area. With a mix of lengths, difficulty levels, and terrain, you're likely to find something that fits your plans for the day. And remember, you can always use the onX Route Builder to create your own adventure from scratch.

Pinnacles Loop

Hike Route

Pinnacles Loop

Birding
strenuous
9.96 mi
+2,470 ft
Balconies and High Peaks Loop

Hike Route

Balconies and High Peaks Loop

Birding
strenuous
8.74 mi
+2,116 ft
Toro Park Easy Loop

Hike Route

Toro Park Easy Loop

Birding
moderate
5.44 mi
+1,037 ft
Fern Falls Hike

Hike Route

Fern Falls Hike

Less Crowded
moderate
7.83 mi
+2,736 ft
Snively's Ridge Out-and-Back

Hike Route

Snively's Ridge Out-and-Back

Birding
strenuous
5.88 mi
+1,569 ft
Molera Beach Super Loop

Hike Route

Molera Beach Super Loop

River/Creek
moderate
6.88 mi
+1,320 ft