5 underrated hikes near Sacramento when you want to avoid the Tahoe crowds

Around Sacramento, oak-covered foothill canyons lead to waterfalls, while flat trails wind through Central Valley wetlands thick with birdlife. The options range from easy walks to challenging climbs.

Sacramento often gets treated as a stopover on the way to Tahoe, San Francisco and Napa rather than a hiking destination in its own right. These five hikes make the case that the region holds its own.

Cronan Ranch

Cronan Ranch might look familiar to Hallmark fans: The grassland along the South Fork American River was a filming location for “Love Comes Softly,” and a cabin from the movie set still stands on the property.

The main trailhead on Pedro Hill Road near Pilot Hill provides access to about 12 miles of trails through rolling hills, oak woodland and along the river. Choose your route and distance from the connected network.

Dogs are allowed, though the Bureau of Land Management advises keeping them on a physical leash when sheep are present. Some sections are exposed, so bring plenty of water on warmer days.

Hidden Falls Regional Park

Hidden Falls Regional Park sits just outside Auburn, with trails leading to the park’s namesake waterfall and viewing decks. From the Mears Place entrance, one popular route to the falls is about 3 miles round trip, with a mix of shaded and more exposed sections.

Dogs are allowed on leash, and the multiuse trails are shared with cyclists and horseback riders. Poison oak is common in the park.

Reserve parking online before visiting the Mears Place entrance on weekends or designated high-use days.

Stevens Trail

Stevens Trail began as a 19th-century toll path connecting Colfax and Iowa Hill. Today, it’s a challenging hike off Interstate 80, dropping through oak and pine, past a creek crossing and seasonal waterfalls, to the North Fork American River.

The Bureau of Land Management lists the full route to the confluence with Secret Ravine at 4.5 miles one way, or about 9 miles round trip. Turn around earlier for a shorter outing, and remember that the climb comes on the way back.

Bring plenty of water and consider starting early on warmer days. Dogs are welcome on leash, and parking can be difficult on weekends and during the high-use season.

Stebbins Cold Canyon

For the toughest outing on this list, tackle the approximately 5-mile Blue Ridge Loop at Stebbins Cold Canyon. It’s all steep grades and long, sun-scorched stretches of chaparral that feel more Southern California than Sacramento. The route climbs out of the Putah Creek drainage toward Blue Ridge, with sweeping views of the surrounding Inner Coast Range and Lake Berryessa area.

Cooler weather is the best bet, since high temperatures, limited shade and steep climbs can make the reserve dangerous in hotter months. Rain can also make the steep ridge sections slippery. Dogs are not allowed on the reserve’s trails.

Cosumnes River Preserve

Cosumnes River Preserve near Galt offers more than 4 miles of mostly flat trails through wetlands, riparian forest and grasslands. The 1-mile Wetlands Walk and a separate boardwalk offer easy ways to explore, while the River Walk provides a roughly 3-mile round-trip outing through several habitats.

More than 250 bird species have been documented at the preserve. With little elevation gain, it’s the easiest outing on the list, though bug spray helps near standing water. Sandhill cranes typically start arriving in late September and are generally gone by mid-March.

Dogs are not allowed at the preserve. Check trail conditions before visiting, as seasonal flooding can submerge portions of the River Walk.