In
brief:
5.8 mile out and back hike climbs to a scenic ridge, with exceptional
views.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 5.8 mile out and back hike is moderately easy, with about
920 feet in elevation change. Trailhead elevation is around 655 feet. The
highest elevation of the hike is around 1213 feet. Sneath Lane Trail climbs
steadily, with one short steep section. Sweeney Ridge Trail is nearly level.
Exposure:
Completely exposed.
Trail traffic:
Moderate.
Trail surfaces:
Paved fire road and dirt fire roads.
Hiking time:
2 1/2 hours.
Season:
Nice any time -- great in spring.
Getting there:
From Interstate 280 in San Mateo County, exit Sneath Lane (exit 43b). Drive
west about 2 miles to the trailhead at the end of the road.
GPS Coordinates* for Trailhead:
Latitude
37°37'9.54"N
Longitude 122°27'14.75"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
Gas, pay phone, and restaurant back near the junction of 280 and Sneath
Lane. No camping.
Trailhead details:
Parking for about 15 cars (some additional parking nearby at the edge of
a residential neighborhood). No entrance or parking fees. No water.
A compostable pit toilet is located at the junction of Sweeney Ridge and Sneath trails. No paper maps -- there's an information signboard with map at the trailhead. No designated handicapped parking, and trails are not wheelchair
(or stroller) accessible. There is no direct public transportation to this
trailhead, but SamTrans buses #121 and 123 service Skyline College, and
you can walk into Sweeney Ridge from there: visit the Transit
511 website for more info.
Rules:
Trails are multi-use. Dogs are permitted on leash.
The Official Story:
NPS's Sweeney Ridge page.
Map Choices:
• Map from NPS
• 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: San Francisco, by Jane Huber (yup, that's me, the creator of this website) has a simple map and a featured hike.
Order this book from Amazon.com.
• Trails of the Coastside and Northern Peninsula (map) is a great guide (available from Pease Press).
Sweeney Ridge in a nutshell -- a printable, text-only guide to the featured hike.
Go to Bay Area Hiker Home page