It’s still early in the year and I’m guessing many of us are still trying to check fitness and health resolutions off of our New Year’s list. (Wait, what was on that list again?)
The good news is, if you live in San Francisco you can walk the Filbert Street Steps. The steps replace what would have been Filbert Street had it not been so steep. The residence along the stairway maintains them. Starting on Battery Street down by Levis Plaza, the steps climb 230 feet up to Coit Tower (in .11 of a mile).
So what’s the big deal about these Steps…or hiking stairs at all?
Beautiful views along the steps and of the San Francisco Bay.
The stairs are surrounded on both sides by a mix of quirky cottages and luxury homes. Every parcel along the path is well taken care of with creative landscaping and sometimes side paths to take in the great views. In the spring, the steps are surrounded by all of the flowers in bloom – a bonus if you have your camera along.
The Filbert Street Cat(s) are excited to welcome you to their wild habitat.
And by wild habitat, I mean their front yard, which is a step away from their Fancy Feast dinner waiting on the other side of the front door. But really, if you like cats – and based off of the number of tourists hiking the stairs that pose with the furry felines, many people do – this is your place to see and pet them while taking in the view.
Calories. Burning them, that is!
Concrete and steep at the bottom and transitioning to wood and more shallow as you climb, these steps are no walk in the park for those looking for a workout. As long as you don’t mind climbing around the tourists while listening to your exercise beats, you can burn some serious calories. At a moderate pace, 3 laps can take about ½ hour and burn 300 – 400 calories. (Based on someone of my size.) And who knows, you may just meet one of your body-conscious neighbors passing you in the opposite direction.
So get out there and do some climbing! You can find them here. And don’t forget to bring a camera – the extra weight can help burn more calories.