Bay Area's 550-Mile Trail Eyed for Scenic Designation

Legislation introduced to grant National Scenic Trail status to the Bay Area Ridge Trail.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 5:07pm by Ben Kaplan

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A 550-mile hiking and biking trail encircling the San Francisco Bay Area is being considered for designation as a National Scenic Trail, which would put it in the same class as the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail. The Bay Area Ridge Trail is currently 75% complete, and advocates say the prestigious federal recognition would help secure the resources needed to fully finish the route.

Why it matters

Achieving National Scenic Trail status would raise the profile of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and help attract the funding and support needed to complete the remaining 120 miles of the route. This would provide millions of Bay Area residents with access to stunning natural landscapes and connect communities to the outdoors.

The details

The Bay Area Ridge Trail is a hybrid trail that traces the region's undeveloped hillsides as well as paved urban areas. While much of the trail is already built and managed by local parks and open space districts, there are still gaps that need to be filled, often on private lands or difficult terrain. Advocates hope the National Scenic Trail designation would expedite the process of closing these gaps and linking the full 550-mile vision together.

  • On January 29, 2026, new legislation was introduced in the California House of Representatives to designate the Bay Area Ridge Trail as a National Scenic Trail.
  • If approved, the legislation would require the National Park Service to perform a feasibility study on the designation within one year.

The players

Bay Area Ridge Trail Council

The nonprofit organization working to complete the 550-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail.

Rep. Jared Huffman

A California congressman who is championing the legislation to designate the Bay Area Ridge Trail as a National Scenic Trail.

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What they’re saying

“The Bay Area Ridge Trail is a crown jewel of our region, providing millions of people with access to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the country and connecting our communities to the outdoors. Designating it as a National Scenic Trail would not only help complete it ... this would be a major boost for the recreation economy, and our bill gets that ball rolling.”

— Rep. Jared Huffman (sfchronicle.com)

“The recognition would be a stamp of approval from the federal government that this land is important and valued and should be protected for conservation purposes and outdoor recreation. It could expedite the process by putting more eyes on the trail and building awareness with the greater community, which could help with funding and making sure the ridge trail is on master planning documents and the like.”

— Marie Sayles, Development Director, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council (sfchronicle.com)

What’s next

If the legislation is approved, the National Park Service will have one year to perform a feasibility study on designating the Bay Area Ridge Trail as a National Scenic Trail.

The takeaway

The potential National Scenic Trail designation for the Bay Area Ridge Trail would be a significant milestone, elevating the profile of this ambitious 550-mile hiking and biking route and helping to secure the resources needed to fully complete the trail. This would provide millions of Bay Area residents with greater access to the region's stunning natural landscapes and strengthen the outdoor recreation economy.