Guided Public Hikes

Free Guided Public Hikes with John Muir Land Trust

Ready to (re)connect with nature? Join us for a series of free, guided hikes through stunning local landscapes. Our stewardship guides will lead you up, down and all around some of our favorite properties, pointing out fascinating flora, fauna, and geological wonders. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a casual nature lover, these hikes offer a perfect opportunity to unwind, exercise, and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors.

You do not need to register to participate in JMLT’s guided hikes. Just show up the morning of your scheduled hike with your hat, boots, and sense of wonder!

Fantastic Fungi at Fernandez Ranch

Winter rains bring Fernandez Ranch to life in unexpected ways. Join us for a guided mushroom hike and explore the fungi that thrive in wet, shaded landscapes—often overlooked, yet essential to healthy ecosystems.

This easy-to-moderate, five-mile hike includes rolling hills and some elevation gain. Expect muddy, wet trail conditions, so sturdy footwear is recommended. Along the way, we’ll practice observing and identifying mushrooms while learning about their life cycles and their important role in the environment.

We’ll meet at the main parking lot for introductions. A restroom is available at the trailhead, and extra water will be available for refills.

Please note: This is a learning-focused hike only. Mushroom foraging or collecting is not permitted on JMLT properties.

When: Saturday, January 24, 9am – 12pm

Where: Fernandez Ranch, 1081 Christie Rd, Martinez, CA 94553

What to bring/wear: Comfortable clothing, hiking boots, hiking poles (if you use them), hat, water, sunscreen, snack.

Note: Restrooms are available on site.

Painted Rock

Join us at Painted Rock for a mini BioBlitz hike in the Moraga hills! We’ll explore a roughly two-mile loop that winds to the top of the hill and around the property, keeping an eye out for spring wildflowers, birds, and whatever else decides to show up.

Along the way, we’ll use iNaturalist to log what we see and check out how the land is responding to recent prescribed burns and the return of grazing cattle. Your observations help us better understand what’s growing and changing on our lands, which in turn helps guide how we take care of them.

You’ll get to practice your plant ID skills, learn a few new things, and be part of the science while enjoying a great walk outdoors. Expect some steep sections—hiking poles are highly recommended!

When: Saturday, February 28, 9am – 12pm

Where: Meet at the crosswalk between Chalda Way and Rheem Blvd in Moraga 

What to bring/wear: Comfortable clothing, hiking boots, hiking poles (if you use them), hat, water, sunscreen, snack.

Note: No restrooms are available on site.

Franklin Ridge Wildflower Hike

Spring brings Franklin Ridge to life. Join us for a guided hike through the East Bay Hills to discover seasonal wildflowers at their peak and learn about their ecological importance. This moderate, six-mile hike includes some challenging hills (about 700 feet of elevation gain), but the reward is a landscape filled with annual wildflowers that bloom for only a short time each year.

We’ll meet at the Mt. Wanda Trailhead parking lot at 9:00 am sharp for brief introductions and begin hiking by 9:10 am.

When: Saturday, March, 21, 9am – 12pm

Where: Mount Wanda trailhead

What to bring/wear: Comfortable clothing, hiking boots/sturdy shoes, hiking poles (if you use them), hat, water, sunscreen, snack.

Note: There are no restrooms at the trailhead. Restrooms are available at the gas station across from the John Muir National Historic Site—plan accordingly.

** You do not need to register to participate in JMLT’s guided hikes. Just show up the morning of with your hat, boots, and sense of wonder. Oh, and a snack! For questions or concerns about the hikes, please contact Ricardo Black, Manager of Stewardship and Public Outreach at (925) 726-5338.