All Hail Helena

Hike to the Summit of Mount Saint Helena

Ready to get in that last long hike before the days get a little too short? Make it count by conquering one of the highest peaks in the Bay Area: Mount Saint Helena. On clear days this 11-mile (round-trip) trek has you seeing all the way out to the Bay and Sierra Nevada.

Start on Stevenson Memorial Trail, named for the author who famously stayed in the area circa 1880, Robert Louis Stevenson. It’s a mile leading uphill through a canopy of trees. At Mount Saint Helena Trail (a fire road) you’ll keep gradually ascending. The good news is it never gets ridiculously steep, and the other good news is that the whole time you get to enjoy views of the Palisades mountain range and the valley below. The higher you climb, the better the scenery.

About a mile from the peak, there’s a fork in the trail. Continue to the right to get to the highest peak, or, if you’re up for it, turn left for a worthwhile detour. (This adds about a mile to your hike, making it 11 instead of 10 miles round-trip.) At the lower peak, you’ll find a couple of perfectly perched picnic tables looking all the way out to San Francisco, the Bay, and Mount Tam. Return from the detour and follow the trail to the highest point, where the valley and mountains unfurl into the distance.

Drive 8 miles north of Calistoga on Hwy. 29, into Robert Louis Stevenson State Park. The parking lot is on the right, and you’ll have to cross the road to get to the Stevenson Memorial trailhead. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Screaming Good Garden

    Combine a classic scary movie backdrop and life-size elephant garden sculptures in beautiful downtown Sonoma.

    View
  3. A Hike to the Past

    This 5.2-mile redwoods hike through El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space combines a relaxing stroll with unique geologic formations and historical artifacts.

    View
  4. Golden Mile

    Dubbed the Golden Mile, this car-free stretch of road in Golden Gate Park features rotating art installations of murals, sculptures, and abundant bright yellow Adirondack chairs for kicking back to relax. See Naga, the recent new addition here, an impressive sea serpent art installation at Golden Gate Park's Rainbow

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Chase Fall Colors & Family Fun in Reno Tahoe

    Ready to Reno? We’re so with you! Reno Tahoe is the ultimate urban basecamp for gathering family and friends for all kinds of fall fun and festivities.

    View
  2. Welcome to the Ice Age

    Only in LA can you stumble upon a lake of bubbling black goo right in the middle of the city—complete with a life-size family of mammoths frozen in time. Take a whiff and you’ll catch the unmistakable scent of asphalt: Yep, you’ve made it to the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Mulholland's Most Majestic

    Take a leisurely drive along Mulholland Drive to discover beautiful urban scenery and unexpected wild beauty, right in the middle of the city. 

    View