Hiking Trails

Hiking Saddleback Mountain takes you to the highest point in Orange County, Santiago Peak. It’s also the highest point in the Santa Ana mountains. This hike takes the scenic Holy Jim Trail, which is also the shortest route to the summit.

Nestled in the community of Newport Beach, the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve hike offers a fun and easy 3-mile hike that offers great views of Upper Newport Bay and world-class wildlife spotting. The Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve is home to some 200 bird species, including some endangered species, making it a top bird watching destination in the USA. This loop hike takes you down along the shore of Upper Newport Bay, then back along the bluffs overlooking the bay that offer great views.

The Calico Tanks Trail hike is one of the most popular in Red Rock Canyon. It’s challenging without being too hard; the trail takes you through beautiful sandstone formations to a desert watering hole with views of Las Vegas.

The First Creek Canyon trail hike is one I recommend to friends wanting to an easy yet fun hike around Las Vegas. It’s in Red Rock Canyon park, but you don’t need to drive the 13-mile loop to get to it, and it’s free. The hike follows the First Creek up to a hidden waterfall and plunge pool. If you want to hike farther, the trail continues up First Creek Canyon.

The Lone Mountain trail is a fun little hike close to the Las Vegas strip that offers some great views of Las Vegas. If you want wilderness, head to Red Rock Canyon, but if you want a quick little hike with great views, this is your move. It’s popular with the locals because it’s close, offers a workout, and has great views. There are several routes and hikes around Lone Mountain. These hike directions cover the most popular (and easiest) regular route up the mountain.

One of the best hikes in Red Rock Canyon, the Turtlehead Peak hike is tough but rewards you with sweeping 360 views of Las Vegas and the surrounding La Madre mountains. The trail to Turtlehead Peak the shortest peak hike in Red Rock Canyon park, so be prepared for a workout and some crowds. It’s worth it, the views are incredible.

The short Fossil Falls hike brings you through a volcanic landscape to a dry, water-polished waterfall. The landscape is beautiful and unique, and is well worth a stop. 

The easy Hagen Canyon Trail hike takes you through a colorful geographic landscape that was once underwater. It’s a great place to stop if you’re traveling between LA and the Eastern Sierra or Death Valley.

The Red Cliffs Trail is an easy 1 mile loop hike in the shadow of unique red cliffs in the Mojave Desert. It’s a great place to stretch your legs if you’re traveling between LA and the Eastern Sierra or Death Valley.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Hike to Mt San Jacinto is a great way to bag Southern California’s second highest peak without a huge effort. It’s still a tough 11 mile hike, but nothing like climbing to Mt San Jacinto from Palm Springs or Idyllwild. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway cuts about 8,000 feet of climbing off the hike, and offers a nice base station where you can grab a beer and bite after your summit. A really fun and insanely beautiful hike.

If you’re in Lone Pine, CA, don’t miss the Mobius Arch Loop Trail. It’s an easy hike that has one of the best photo opportunities in the Eastern Sierras. You’ll be able to perfectly frame Mt Whitney within a natural rock arch formation. The Mobius Arch Loop Trail is within Alabama Hills Recreation Area, which is a popular filming location. You might recognize some of the spots in Alabama Hills from Django Unchained, Gladiator and Iron Man.

This Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest hike takes you through awe-inspiring groves of the oldest trees in the world, Bristlecone Pines. The hike is relatively easy, on a well marked trail, and includes a very cool visitor center and info. It’s not close to much else, but if you’re in the area, this hike through the Bristlecone Pine forest is your move.

Hiking on Catalina Island offers some beautiful options, but I think the hike to and overnight at Parsons Landing campsite is the best. You’ll camp on a secluded beach, with the sounds of the waves as your soundtrack. There are only 8 campsites, the hike is easy, and the scenery is breathtaking. Do it. Do it.

The Indian Truck Trail offers an alternate way to hike Santiago Peak (Saddleback Mountain). The Indian Truck Trail is long, not too technical, and a great training hike for Mt Whitney.

The Black Star Canyon hike is a local favorite for a reason. The hike follows Black Star Creek to Black Star Canyon Falls, and there’s even a haunted history to ponder as you hike through this beautiful part of Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park.

The Bedford Peak hike in Orange County is a tough one with big payoffs. The trail to Bedford Peak climbs about 2000 feet in 3 miles, and your reward is great views of Mt Baldy, Saddleback Mountain, and Catalina.

The hike to Pumpkin Rock is one of those things you just have to do at least once. It’s obviously a great Halloween hike, and there are lots of photo opportunities. The trails to Pumpkin Rock can be confusing — this guide gives you the main route up, complete with parking and bathrooms.

The hike to White Mountain Peak brings you to the third highest peak in California, only a few hundred feet lower that Mt Whitney. The hike is tough, but doable, and the peak is spectacular with incredible 360 views that stretch from the Eastern Sierra to Death Valley.

The Mt Whitney hike is on every hiker’s bucket list. At 14,505 feet, it’s the highest point in the lower 48, and is one of those rare high peaks that you can hike to without any mountaineering skills. There is some prep work you need to do, like getting your Mt Whitney permit. This hike guide has everything you need to know to successfully climb Mt Whitney. That includes choosing a route, getting your permit, extra hiking gear considerations, planning your trip, training, and dealing with altitude. Keep reading for all the info.

The Cactus to Clouds hike is epic. It has over 10,000 feet of climbing, with a large stretch on the treacherous Skyline Trail, the Cactus to Clouds hike should only be attempted by the very experienced and very fit hiker.

This easy hike along the Delaware Canal State Park is full of beauty and history. Shaded paths, river views, and peace and quiet are the hallmarks of this hike, suitable for all levels of hiker.

A short hike to the scenic Lambertville wing dam, which brings you (literally) into the middle of the Delaware River.

Everyone hikes Mt Baldy from Manker Flats, but have you done it on the Bear Canyon Trail? Also known as Old Mt Baldy Trail, this hike to Mt Baldy is tougher but doesn’t have the crowds.

A short, easy hike with great views of New Hope, Lambertville, and the Delaware RIver. The hike to Goat Hill Overlook takes you to the spot where George Washington and once stood.

This hike from Stockton, NJ to Bulls Island State Park takes you on a loop through NJ and PA along the Delaware River Trail, with great river views. Although it’s a little long, it’s very flat and a great hike for beginners.

The Three T’s Trail hike is one of the more peaceful hikes in the Mt Baldy area. This loop hike starts at Icehouse Canyon, climbs to Icehouse Saddle, then hits Timber Mountain, Telegraph Peak, Thunder Mountain, and then descends down to Baldy Notch, Manker Flats, and back to Icehouse Canyon. It’s a long hike, but a favorite for those avoiding crowds.

Caspers Wilderness Park is home to the San Juan Hot Springs hike, which is long but very doable. The hike can be done as an out-and-back trip, or you can do a longer 14 mile loop that circles Caspers Wilderness Park and offers incredible views.

This easy hike takes you to Bowman’s Tower, through Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, and then ends at historic soldier graves from 1776 at Washington Crossing State Park. It’s a great hike with tons to see in a short distance.

The High Rocks hike at Ralph Stover State Park offers scenic cliffside views of Tohickon Creek and quintessential Bucks County scenery. This hike is a local’s favorite.

The Sitton Peak hike offers great 360 views of the Santa Ana Mountains, San Diego County, Orange County, and Catalina on a clear day. The hike to Sitton Peak is much easier than the hike to Saddleback Mountain, with views that are comparable. The trail has some flat sections to catch your breath, making it a great hike for beginners.

The Holy Jim Falls Trail hike is an easy hike to a small waterfall tucked into the heart of the Santa Ana Mountains. The Holy Jim Falls Trail is family friendly and well marked.

The Echo Mountain Hike packs a lot of bang for the buck. The hike is easy to follow, has great views, is a good workout, and ends at ruins of an old hotel. These directions have an optional hike to the viewpoint at Inspiration Point.

The Cowles Mountain hike brings you to the highest point in San Diego, with views from Mexico to Orange County. It’s a tough little climb, and there are a few routes to the top. This hiking route is the most scenic, has the best parking situation, and the least crowds. It’s a great, safe beginners hike, and a must-do if you’re in San Diego.

Hiking the Stonewall Peak Trail to the summit is one of my favorite hikes. At the top you’ll find a stone lookout with 360 views of the surrounding peaks. It’s one of the more unique summits out there and worth a visit.

The hike to Cuyamaca Peak brings you to San Diego County’s second highest point at 6,512 feet. It’s only 20 feet lower than the highest peak, but much easier to hike. The views you get are incredible and make this hike worth your time.

At 11,503 feet, the San Gorgonio hike brings you to the highest peak in Southern California. The hike to San Gorgonio is an iconic SoCal hiker rite of passage, I highly recommend it. There are a few ways to hike to the peak. This hiking guide takes the Vivian Creek trail, which is the quickest way to the summit at 10 hours roundtrip. It’s a tough hike but doable in a day if you train for it.

The San Bernardino Peak (10,649 feet) hike is tough but rewarding. The crowds are light and it offers sweeping views of Mt Baldy, Mt San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, Big Bear Lake, and the Inland Empire.

John Muir called the views from Mount San Jacinto the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth! On a clear day, you can see from Catalina Island to Southern Utah. To hike Mount San Jacinto from Idyllwild, you’ll need a good level of fitness, it’s a tough one.

If you want a great mountain hike without the crowds, hike Ontario Peak (8,696 ft) and Bighorn Peak. You might see more bighorn sheep than people!

With one of the coolest summits in the San Gabriel Mountains, the Cucamonga Peak hike is a favorite. The climb is tough but not brutal, the scenery and views are awesome, and the crowds aren’t as bad as Mount Baldy.

The Modjeska Peak hike is challenging – long, steep, and sometimes primitive. The hike climbs to the second highest point in Orange County, Modjeska Peak. The actual summit is undeveloped and much nicer than nearby Santiago Peak.

This Mt Wilson hike starts at Chantry Flat and gradually makes it way to the summit. Mt Wilson (5,710 feet) is the peak with all the radio towers that dominates the LA skyline. It’s a fun hike and a good long hike for beginners.

The Mt Baldy hike brings you to the highest point in LA at 10,064 feet. With about 4000 feet of climbing, it’s a tough yet popular hike, and well worth the effort. You can see from the Pacific to the Mojave on a clear day.

Bringing you to one of the highest peaks in the San Gabriel mountains at 9,399 feet, the Mount Baden-Powell hike offers 360 views from the summit. It’s a fun hike with 40 switchbacks and a manageable distance.

This Peters Canyon hike takes you on a 6 mile tour of the 340-acre Peters Canyon Park. The hike offers panoramic views and wildlife spotting opportunities, right in the middle of Orange County.

There’s a few Whiting Ranch hiking options, but Red Rock Canyon is the most popular for a good reason. The hike is mellow, easy, and ends in a smooth red rock canyon like you’d see in Arizona (but unique to Orange County).

The Kenneth Hahn Park hike brings you through a natural oasis in the middle of west LA. There’s tons of wildlife, great sunsets, and views of downtown LA. In fact, Kenneth Hahn Park is where many professional photographers come to get a photo of downtown LA with the San Gabriel Mountains in the background.

The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook hike offers views and quick hiking fix in the middle of LA. On a clear day you can see from the Pacific Ocean to the San Gabriel Mountains.

The Runyon Canyon hike is unique – it’s a patch of wilderness right in the middle of Hollywood. Often visited by celebs, this hike’s won a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, and is worth a visit.

This Laguna Coast Wilderness Park hike takes you through the best of the park. The trails wind through some of the last remaining undeveloped coastal canyons in Southern California, with great views, lush canyon paths, unique geology, and lots of wildlife.

The Dog Mountain hike isn’t easy, but it has the best panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge and Cascades high peaks. It’s also a great hike to avoid the crowds that you’d encounter on easier Columbia River Gorge hikes.

The Triple Falls hike from Oneonta Gorge is scenic, great for beginners, and doesn’t have the big crowds that many other Columbia Gorge hikes have. And you get to see three waterfalls along the way!

This McDowell Sonoran Preserve hike offers well-marked trails, easy climbs, nice views, and classic Sonoran desert scenery. And unlike Camelback Mountain, McDowell Sonoran Preserve is a peaceful oasis where you can connect with nature and unwind.

Crystal Cove State Park offers pristine coastal nature, ocean views, and well marked trails. This Crystal Cove hike takes you on a best-of loop, with great views of the mountains, ocean, and on a clear day, Catalina. One of my favorite hikes. There’s also a shorter route, see the hike details for more info.

The Hollywood Sign hike is one of those iconic hikes that you need to do at least once. Not only will you hike to the Hollywood Sign, but you’ll get some spectacular views of LA along the way. THESE DIRECTIONS ARE UP TO DATE / OPEN / LEGAL / ETC.

The Punchbowl Falls hike is one of the most beautiful hikes in Colombia River Gorge. This hike has waterfalls, cliffs, and scenery straight out of the Lord of the Rings. It’s easy to understand how Punchbowl Falls is a local’s favorite.

This Torrey Pines hike takes you to the best of the park – rare Torrey Pines, ocean views, and unique geology. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is one of those once in a lifetime destinations, I highly recommend this hike!

This Camelback Mountain hike takes the easier and more scenic Cholla Trail. It’s still a tough hike, but the Cholla Trail is a nicer way to hike Camelback Mountain, a must-do Phoenix hike.