On a stunning winter day, Loralei and I set off for Mission Peak Preserve, not to tackle the iconic Mission Peak Hike, but to hike one of its less popular loops, the Panorama Trail. The name probably gives it away, but this hike offers near constant views and huge panoramas of the Bay Area and the East Bay Hills! And while other hikers were brushing shoulders with a few hundred of their closest friends on Mission Peak itself, we had most of this loop to ourselves!
Miles/Elevation:
4.8 miles
1,131 feet vertical gain
About Mission Peak Regional Preserve:
Located immediately east of the city of Fremont, Mission Peak Regional Preserve is one of the most popular, and most iconic hiking destinations in the entire Bay Area. Including and centered around the 2,500 foot plus Mission Peak, this preserve is an extremely popular hiking destination, and a summit of Mission Peak is seen as a hiking right of passage in the South Bay!
The preserve contains just over 3,000 acres centered around Mission Peak itself. Many of the trails in the park are centered around and lead towards the summit, but there are multiple other loops and hikes you can do.
Mission Peak Preserve can be accessed from a number of different trailheads and parking lots. The most popular for a summit of Mission Peak proper is at Stanford Ave. This parking lot fills up extremely early, and parking often spills into the neighborhood streets. The preserve’s other main trailhead is located at the edge of Ohlone College; however, ambitious hikers can also hike in from Sunol Regional Wilderness, Ed R. Levin Park, and more!
Getting To The Trailhead:
The trailhead to access the Panorama Trail is located at Ohlone College in Fremont CA. Take either I-680 or I-880 to Fremont, and then exit onto Mission Blvd. Take Mission Blvd all the way to Ohlone College. The Alltrails app shows the loop starting from right on Mission Blvd, but the best places to park are in the campus parking ramps. There is a fee to park in these ramps most days, though we were able to park free on a holiday.
The Panorama Trail:
Through Campus:
From the parking lot at the intersection of Pine Street and Loop Road on the Ohlone College Campus, you have a bit of a roadwalk before you start the hike itself. You could hike the loop counterclockwise and start the trail immediately, but that would leave the road walk for the end, and I’d rather get it out of the way at the beginning.
Walk through campus heading north until you reach Witherly Lane. Then turn right and begin walking uphill. From Witherly, you’ll eventually veer left onto Huddleson. Once on Huddleson, you’ll quickly head through a gate, and begin actually hiking!
The Lower Panorama Trail:
By the time you actually start on the Panorama Trail, you’ll have been climbing for quite awhile. The climb continues for a short few hundred yards once you’re hiking on trail, but shortly tops out and begins a little descent.
Always be sure to follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles when in the outdoors!
This initial part of the Panorama Trail does offer some solid views, though they certainly don’t compare to the views that come up on the upper portion of the hike! You’ll be butting up against the houses and neighborhoods here, and while you can generally see over the roofs, the views aren’t quite to die for!
Always follow basic trail etiquette when on trail!
After a short descent, the trail resumes its climb and gains some mild elevation. You’ll still be heading north on the bay side of the hills, but you’ll soon reach a hard 90 degree right turn in the trail. The turn is for good reason: the hill totally drops off in front of you into a steep canyon! Turn right here!
Around The Side:
Head to Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve for more great views!
Immediately after turning right, the trail climbs steeply up the grass covered incline. After a short but steep climb, the trail levels off and enters a densely wooded area. When we hiked it, the trail was very torn up through the woods, likely due to a combination of hikers and the cattle that graze here! Be warned, immediately following a soaking rain, it will definitely be muddy!
For more great views of San Jose, head to Monte Bello Open Space Reserve!
As you emerge out of the back side of the woods, you’ll once again have the iconic grassy views that the East Bay Hills are known for. And looking up, you’ll have a clear view of something terrible, switchbacks! (just kidding they aren’t terrible, but there are switchbacks)
Yes this trail has switchbacks! Switchbacks get a bad rap, but to be honest, the tight back and forth corners actually make ascents easier. Really, they’re much better than a fire road going straight uphill!
Throughout this portion of the trail, the views improve over the lower reaches of the Panorama Trail. You will be climbing, so the views looking back towards the Bay will improve when not obscured, but maybe more importantly, new vistas open up as well. This section of the hike unlocks views looking north and south along the spine of the hills here as well as inland, away from obvious civilization! The look down into the looming canyon is cool as well!
Almaden Quicksilver is really close and has more great hiking outside San Jose!
Back on the switchbacks, life goes on, and really the climb through them isn’t bad. Once you crest the final switchback, push up and over the knoll and emerge onto the upper leg of the Panorama Trail! Here, after completing the switchbacks, you finally get the big time, panoramic, view of the Bay Area this hike promised!
The Upper Panorama Trail:
Immediately after reaching the upper portion of the Panorama Trail, the views begin to live up to the hype! Looking back down into the Bay the view is awesome and provides huge panoramas of the East and South Bay. And looking towards the hills, whether it be north, south or east, you get really cool visuals of the hills and peaks around you!
For about half a mile you’ll have a relatively flat walk along the ridges of the preserve. Trails up here are primarily single track as well, adding to the awesomeness of this part of the hike!
After about half a mile on the upper leg of the Panorama Trail, you will begin descending. Don’t worry the views aren’t over, but you’ll have to work a bit for the high point of the day! Descend about 150 feet to an intersection with the Spring Valley Trail.
The Spring Valley Trail runs up from the college through a very picturesque valley and intersects the Panorama Trail here when it drops down from the ridge tops. You could turn right and head downhill on the Spring Valley Trail now; it will actually be your way out later. However, I definitely recommend pushing up the final slope and doing one last climb!
Mt Umunhum is an awesome summit opportunity with more great South Bay views!
Where you hit the Spring Valley Trail, turn left and head back uphill immediately following the descent. You’ll have a roughly 200 foot climb to the top of the hill, nothing too crazy! Once you’re as high as you can go, turn right off the trail and enjoy the view!
Walking off trail a bit into the meadow atop the hill earns you a pretty fantastic vantage! This is the best viewpoint of the Bay on this hike for sure, and you’ll have a clear look east further into the hills as well as north and south along the spine! We enjoyed this spot for a few minutes, had a snack, and then headed out!
Down The Spring Valley Trail:
From the top of the hill, retrace your steps back down to the Spring Valley Trail, and then take the Spring Valley Trail downhill to get back to the trailhead at Ohlone College.
The Spring Valley Trail offers a different type of environment than most of this hike. Rather than the high ridges and open grasslands of most of Mission Peak Preserve, this trail takes you through a relatively densely wooded valley. The change of pace is nice in this instance, and the descent will go quickly as you head back towards civilization!
After about a mile of descending, you will arrive back at the campus and paved roads. There’s a couple of intersections to navigate, but your exact route will depend on where specifically you parked. Wherever your parking spot is, it should be pretty easy to find now that you’re back!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 8/10
This is a very good sub 5 mile hike. You have nearly constant excellent views, the trail quality is quite nice, and most of the trail isn’t busy. I only give this trail an 8 though because you will have a fairly long road walk through the campus at one end of the hike, and while the views are very good, I know for a fact this trail doesn’t even have the best views in Mission Peak Preserve! Overall, a good hike, but it’s not can’t miss!
Pros:
- Excellent views
- Convenient location
- Well made trail
Cons:
- Some busy sections
- Parking can be a pain
- Road walk
Alternative Hikes:
When To Hike The Panorama Trail:
The Bay Area is a 4 season destination, and the weather year round is suitable for hiking. In the summer and early fall expect high temperatures, often uncomfortably high. In winter and spring, there is a chance of rain, but most days should still be sunny and in the 50’s or 60’s. In my opinion, the best time to visit is winter or spring. In addition to the cooler temperatures, the hills are the greenest following the winter rains!
Keep in mind that this hike has very little tree cover, and is extremely exposed to the sun. Even if the highs are only in the 60s, you will likely be sweating. Always bring enough water and take the conditions into consideration when planning a hike. This hike would be brutal on a hot day!
Links For Further Reading:
Panorama Trail – California | AllTrails
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