Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail
~3 days · 31.4 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail is known for
41 km (25 mi) from Saratoga Gap down through Castle Rock and Big Basin Redwoods — old-growth redwoods, Berry Creek Falls — to the Pacific at Waddell Beach, on the current post-fire alignment (one short unmapped link near Big Basin is bridged as a ~0.7 km straight line). The Bay Area's classic 3-day backpacking trip.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 43 ft to 8,343 ft over 31.4 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 21.6 mi · 70%
- Downhill 7.3 mi · 24%
- Flat 2.1 mi · 7%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 31.4 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail?
The Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail climbs roughly 7,644 ft total — about 243 ft per mile, topping out near 2,664 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.