01
Best overall pick
Coyote Hills Regional Park
Bayfront Newark • Scenic Bayfront Hills And Marshes • Best For Bay Views
Roller‑coaster hill trails and easy wetland paths with sweeping views of the South Bay.
Just across the bayfront from Newark, Coyote Hills is the go‑to choice when you want real trails without a long drive. You can mix short family‑friendly loops on the flat Bayview Trail with steeper climbs over the park’s knobby hills. Clear days bring big views of the Dumbarton Bridge, San Francisco Bay, and the East Bay hills in one glance.
02
Best for birdwatching
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
South Bay Shoreline Near Dumbarton Bridge • Flat Wetlands Paths And Levee Trails • Wildlife-Watching Pick
Long, mostly flat levee walks through restored wetlands, ideal for relaxed miles with plenty of birdlife.
The Newark side of Don Edwards offers mellow walking and hiking along old salt pond levees and sloughs, including the popular Newark Slough area. Expect wide open sky, big water views, and regular sightings of shorebirds, egrets, and raptors. It’s an easy place to stack up steps, catch a sunset over the bay, and still be back in Newark in minutes.
03
Best for easy distance
Alameda Creek Trail
Alameda Creek Corridor Through Fremont And Union City • Paved Creekside Multi-Use Trail • Best For Easy Mileage
A long, mostly level creekside path that’s perfect for steady walking or light hiking without worrying about steep hills.
Running from the Niles area all the way to the bay, Alameda Creek Trail is where local walkers and casual hikers go for predictable, no‑nonsense miles. You can hop on at several access points just a short drive from Newark and choose your distance. Go west toward the bay for open, breezy stretches or head inland for more shade and a quieter feel.
04
Best hard workout
Mission Peak Regional Preserve
Fremont Foothills Below Mission Peak • Steep Ridge Trail To Panoramic Summit • Iconic Summit Challenge
A stout climb up exposed slopes to one of the Bay Area’s most recognizable summits and photo‑op poles.
Mission Peak is the classic East Bay grinder and only a short drive from Newark, drawing everyone from pre‑dawn fitness hikers to weekend peak‑baggers. Trails are steep, exposed, and busy, but the 360‑degree views over the South Bay, Diablo Range, and San Francisco skyline earn the effort. Go early for cooler temps, easier parking, and a bit more solitude on the way up.
05
Best for rugged scenery
Sunol Regional Wilderness
Inland Canyons East Of Sunol • Remote Canyon And Ridge Network • Best For All-Day Escape
A sprawling backcountry feel with oak‑dotted hills, rocky outcrops, and creekside stretches a short drive from suburbia.
When you want a full escape from Newark’s streets, Sunol Regional Wilderness delivers big‑sky scenery and a maze of longer trails. You can keep it moderate with loops near Alameda Creek or head higher onto ridges for longer, more strenuous circuits. Spring brings green hills and wildflowers, while cooler fall days are ideal for linking multiple routes into an all‑day hike.