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Stanford Dish Hiking Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 102 Google reviews · Running trail in Stanford, California · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 3.5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Stanford Dish Hiking 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.
Paved hiking trails in the Stanford University area, known for a prominent dish antenna.
What runners say about Stanford Dish Hiking Trail
“Because the trail is completely paved and separated from vehicle traffic, it provides a safe and clean environment for a variety of activities.”
“🥾 A Lovely and Scenic Outdoor Experience This is a lovely trail that serves as a staple for locals and visitors looking to get outside and enjoy the peninsula’s natural beauty.”
“It’s a great place to go for a walk or run - well maintained, moderate terrain and multiple loops.”
“There also isn’t much shade on the longer loop so it can get hot on a summer day - so be there early.”
Quite good. The trail is asphalt and very easy but there's a good view of the bay area on top.
I really enjoy Stanford Dish Trail. It is a short one-hour trail with great views of the Stanford campus and Stanford Dish. There are some parking spaces on Stanford Avenue, but because this is a very popular location, I advise that you go during off-peak hours, such as late morning or early afternoon, to have a…
A great hike with lovely views of SF and the bay, also the western hills over looking 280. Be sure to go while the hills are emerald green! Get your heart rate up with some inclines on a very popular loop trail on the Stanford campus.
A beautiful paved loop trail with bay views to the East and mountains and forest to the West. At a sedate pace you won't break a real sweat, but a more brisk walking speed will give you a workout on the steeper inclines.
Trail conditions & character
“🥾 A Lovely and Scenic Outdoor Experience This is a lovely trail that serves as a staple for locals and visitors looking to get outside and enjoy the peninsula’s natural beauty.”
“Because the trail is completely paved and separated from vehicle traffic, it provides a safe and clean environment for a variety of activities.”
“🚗 The Logistics of Parking The most difficult part of the experience happens before you even step foot on the trail.”
“The landscape is quintessential California, with rolling golden hills and iconic academic landmarks visible from several vantage points.”
“You should definitely bring water with you, as you'll likely need it to navigate the steeper portions of the loop comfortably.”
“There also isn’t much shade on the longer loop so it can get hot on a summer day - so be there early.”
“Clean (no bikes or pets allowed) , asphalt paved which helps around rainy season since all other hiking trails get muddy around that time.”
Plan your run at Stanford Dish Hiking Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Loop distance3.5 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitedish.stanford.edu
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
Running trails near Stanford
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Stanford Dish Hiking Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 684 reviews
Popular, paved hiking trail featuring views of the bay, Foothills Park, and Stanford University.
Cornelis Bol Park
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13.8-acre city park featuring multi-use trails, a playground & a native plant garden.
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve
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Dog-friendly open space with an interpretive center, plus marked hiking, biking & equestrian trails.
Sharon Park
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Playground, ponds and trails around a peaceful park, featuring fish, ducks, turtles, koi and fountains.
