Labor Day is a federal US holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor the American labor movement. Although it celebrates the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of our country, for many of us, this long weekend signifies the end of summer. Today, we’ll be recognizing this change in season – and looking ahead to fall hiking!  Trees start to look different at elevation in the fall; even if you have hiked a trail in the late spring or summer, hiking it in the fall can be an entirely new experience. Read on as we highlight a few trails in the Bay Area that might not be on your radar (yet!)

Believe it or not, we’ve been celebrating Labor Day here in the US since 1894!  The timing of the holiday wasn’t particularly important to the people who decided when it should be, but the sentiment of celebrating hard work aligns well with a change in season. Come late August/early September, school starts back up and the ‘dog days of summer’ start to shift to cooler temps and shorter days.

Hiking is a great activity to do when it is not too hot (note however, that good hydration is key, whenever you go!). With all of its hills, San Francisco lends itself perfectly to getting a leg workout – with great views. Not all hiking entails hills or elevation, but for those routes that do, the experience can be the same as a stair mill, but a whole lot less boring! Some trails that require a bit more physical challenge entail testing our proprioception and balance. Even a hike with no noted physical challenge can oftentimes lead us to walk further than we normally do and considerably increase our overall activity level in a given day.

In a nutshell, hiking is an overall great way to essentially get in a fun workout without even intending to ‘work out.’ Just below, we’ve highlighted some perhaps lesser-known trails that are great for people of all ability levels. Take lots of pictures, and have fun in trying new routes!  If you are interested you can find more detail on these and other Bay Area hikes in this book.  We are just pointing you to some fun spots, but make sure you plan your route in greater detail before heading out!

Easier

San Bruno Northern Mountain Loop: This trail is just shy of 3 miles, and suitable for most hikers. You can park for 6$ at 555 Guadalupe Canyon Parkway and then make your way to the Bog Trail. This will lead you to the paved Old Guadalupe Trail, and then to the Saddle Loop. You’ll spend most of the time on this wide grassland trail with views of the San Francisco skyline, down to the peninsula and bay, and to the San Bruno Mountain summit. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed but horses are – so you might see a few of those!

Moderate

The Philosopher’s Way: This hike is also shy of 3 miles (2.7) with more moderate challenge. It has free parking in the overlook parking lot at Mansell St and Visitacion Ave. This hike (created in 2012) is in John McLaren Park, and marked with stone pillars that guide your path. Along the way, you’ll find plaques and fun things to read, not to mention good views! Dogs are welcome onleash, with offleash areas in the park.

More challenging

Mount Tam East Peak: One of the best things about Mt. Tam is how it has several options, relative to how far you want to go. For this one, we are recommending a longer hike (6m) that can get fairly challenging. There are two free (small) parking lots either across from the Mountain Home in or just up the road at 760 Panoramic Highway. Heading uphill at the Fire Station Exit, there are several routes to go but we recommend starting with Hogback Road. The effort at the start is worth it when you get to some of the best panoramic views in the city!

At Beacon Physical Therapy, we support our patients in leading a healthy life and establishing a healthy lifestyle. And remember, if you are having an issue with hiking or any other activity in your life, make an appointment today. We’d love to meet you and get you back to doing what you love.