Bane Canyon Loop Trail - Chino Hills State Park

8 miles - Moderate Effort
3-4 Hours (Total)
1,400 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 1,200 feet
No Dogs Allowed

Bane Canyon, located in Chino Hills State Park, comes alive with flowers in the spring. In this moderate loop hike, you'll leave the crowds behind and circle picturesque Bane Canyon. Along the way, you'll enjoy the landscape of Chino Hills, views of the high mountains, and hopefully, lots of colorful flowers. It's a fun hike that's doable by most folks in decent shape.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions for the Bane Canyon Loop Trail
Getting to the Bane Canyon Loop Trail in Chino Hills State Park
Insider Tips and Recommendations for the Hike

Quick Links:
Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Apr 2024 Gear

Where is the Bane Canyon Loop Trail?

Although the hike takes place within Chino Hills State Park, you can park just outside the park's North Entrance on the street, and it's free. Use this trailhead address:
4730 Sapphire Rd, Chino Hills, CA 91709

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 2 — There is street parking with intermittent "no parking" areas.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 3 — There is also some parking just past the park entrance.

You'll see cars driving up Bane Canyon Road into the park. Bane Canyon Road is paved and open to motor vehicles. We'll be hiking on it for a short stretch and then leaving it behind for the trails.

Gear For the Hike

This is a moderate hike that can be done in hiking for fitness clothing. It can get hot in the summer, so bring 2L of water and sun protection. There is no shade on the hike. There can be overgrown sections of trail, so wear insect repellant and long pants if you don't want to brush up against anything.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.

HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Bane Canyon Trail Maps

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 1 — As always, please stay on the official trails and avoid the use trails.

If you do an internet search for the Bane Canyon hike, you'll likely see various options. Most routes will have you going down the paved road and then coming back on Bane Ridge Trail. For me, this is probably the worst route you can take. There are cars, lots of people, and limited views. The loop that I outline in this guide may be a mile or two longer, but it's infinitely nicer and has you get away from the crowds for a good portion of the hike.

If it's been a wet winter or spring, some of these trails can be overgrown in the spring.

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Elevation Profile

Bane Canyon Trail Elevation — This is a hike of ups and downs, without any major elevation change. There are some short, steep hills, but nothing major.

3D Map

Bane Canyon Loop Hike Directions

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 4 — Start the hike by heading up Bane Canyon Road by the park sign.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 5 — Be careful as you hike up the road, there are cars here.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 6 — The road is steep but doable.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 7 — On the day that I shot this guide (in April) the black mustard (Brassica nigra) was out in force. These yellow mustard plants are an invasive species found all over Southern California. There are other wildflowers along the route as well, including the California poppy. Different flowers bloom at different times. It's hard to say what you'll end up seeing along the hike.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 8 — At the top of the climb, make the hard left onto the East Fence Line Trail. We'll be ending the loop on the trailhead on the right later.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 9 — Leave the crowds behind and start climbing up the East Fence Line Trail.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 10 — It's a gradual climb.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 11 — And when you gain the ridge you'll have sweeping views down into Bane Canyon on your right.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 12 — You'll cross the ridge and get views to the east.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 13 — Look for the right turn before a short uphill. It can be hard to see when the vegetation is tall.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 14 — And now start hiking along the ridge above Bane Canyon.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 15 — At the junction, keep right.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 16 — If you look back you'll have sweet views of Mt Baldy.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 17 — And you'll be able to see the park entrance and road down to the right.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 18 — This part of the hike is one of my favorite parts. The trail follows the spine of the ridge.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 19 — Keep hiking along the spine.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 20 — And at the junction, make the left onto the Pomona Trail.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 21 — The Pomona Trail is wide but still scenic.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 22 — When you get to the wind vane, make the hard right back onto the East Fence Line Trail.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 23 — Here's a closeup of that last junction looking down the East Fence Line Trail.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 24 — This is one of the more remote sections of Chino Hills State Park, and the trail usually has high growth. Even though the plants are high, the trail is always easy to follow and well-trodden.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 25 — You'll wind around some gullies, some of which still show the scars of fire damage from the 2020 Blue Ridge Fire.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 26 — And true to it's name, you'll actually hike along the fence, which is the border of the park.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 27 — Go straight through at the intersection fo the Slaughter Canyon Trail.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 28 — The landscape is stunning in this section.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 29 — When the trail ends at the Longwayaround Trail, make the left.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 30 — And shortly after that, make the right onto the Corral Trail.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 31 — Hike down the Corral Trail.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 32 — From here to the far end of the loop, you have a nice downhill.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 33 — Make the right at the big trail.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 34 — And then make the left onto the paved road.

You can also go straight across the road to the "equestrian staging area" trail if it's open. Otherwise head up the paved road.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 35 — Look for a right turn on a wide road into the Horse Staging area. It's just after a small parking lot.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 36 — Go through the horse staging area, staying right.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 37 — The trail is at the end of the staging area. There's also a bathroom here.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 38 — Avoid the side trail on the right and go straight on Bane Ridge Trail.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 39 — From here to the end, the Bane Ridge Trail is a series of rolling hills with nice views.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 40 — At the power lines, go straight through, up and over the hill.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 41 — There are a couple of little leg burner climbs before the end.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 42 — Keep going straight on Bane Ridge Trail.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 43 — And eventually you'll come back to Bane Canyon Road where you started the first half of the loop earlier.

Bane Canyone Loop Trail Directions 44 — Head back down the paved road to your car. That's it!

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.