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Panorama Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 61 Google reviews · Running trail in Palo Alto, California · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Panorama Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Hiking area with kid-friendly trails and an overlook.
What runners say about Panorama Trail
“This trail is a visual feast for hikers, featuring a series of stunning vistas and close-up encounters with several of the park's natural wonders.”
“Plenty of shade, green, and you might get lucky and catch a glimpse of turkey and deer”
“Not an easy hike, but worth the view.”
The Panorama Trail is one of the most breathtaking hiking routes in Yosemite National Park, offering an unparalleled journey through some of the park's most iconic landscapes.
Panorama Point offers some great views of the Bay and surrounding landscape and hills. Easily accessible with plenty of parking and a hiking trail down to the canyon and hills below.
Not an easy hike, but worth the view. Plenty of shade, green, and you might get lucky and catch a glimpse of turkey and deer
Moderate trail with lots of shade and views. Went down Coyote trail and came back up through Chamise trail. Took us about an hour.
Trail conditions & character
“Starting at the famed Glacier Point, which provides a spectacular overlook of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and the High Sierra, the trail covers approximately 8.”
“Suitable for experienced hikers, the Panorama Trail requires a good level of fitness due to its length and the steep descent involved.”
“Plenty of shade, green, and you might get lucky and catch a glimpse of turkey and deer”
Plan your run at Panorama Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- Websitecityofpaloalto.org
Running trails near Palo Alto
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Chamise Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 11 reviews
Foothills Nature Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,540 reviews
Miles of trails guide visitors through woodlands & fields, past streams & lakes in this vast park.
Arastradero Preserve Vista Point
4.7 ★★★★★ 122 reviews
Kid-friendly hiking area with a public restroom.
Foothills Open Space Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 95 reviews
Nature preserve with 212-acres of wooded ridges & ravines & an uphill trail leading to bay vistas.
Byrne Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 133 reviews
Scenic pasture backed by wooded hills and rolling hills, with laid-back walking trails and wildlife.