The Crystal Cove red route is the toughest hike that the park recommends, calling it “a strenuous loop hike around the permitter of the park.” The hike doesn’t include a big mountain climb, but rather is a series of ups and downs through pristine native coastal scrub, a rarity in Southern California. The red route is well marked and easy to follow, there are bathrooms along the way, and it offers lots of opportunities for wildlife spotting and expansive ocean views.
Where is the Crystal Cove Red Route?
The red route starts at the Moro Canyon Ranger Station in Crystal Cove State Park. Crystal Cove is known for its beaches, but they’re also 18 miles of trails in over 2,400 acres of protected native habitat.
After you turn off of the PCH, finding the lot can be a little tricky. Go straight past the high school, bear right at the turn, and then make your first left into the parking lot.The parking lot at the ranger station is big but does fill up. When it’s full they will turn people away.
There is a fee to park at Crystal Cove SP. Please pay at the visitor center.
The ranger station and visitor center is also worth a visit. There are interpretive displays and helpful rangers to answer any questions.There are bathrooms and water refill stations right next to the visitor center.
Do this hike as early as possible to avoid the crowds and heat.
Gear for the Hike
This is a long hike with lots of ups and downs, and I recommend proper hiking gear and footwear when you do it. Bring at least 2L of water with you and sun protection. There is no shade and in the summer it can be very hot here.
Garmin InReach Mini 2 I’m a firm believer in carrying a satellite communications device which works where cell phones don’t. I use a Garmin InReach which lets me send text messages back and forth to my family to let them know that I’m okay or if my plans change when I’m out in the backcountry. It also has an SOS subscription built-in so that you can reach first-responders in an emergency. The devices also offer weather reports, GPS, and navigation functionality (what’s the difference between a GPS and satellite communicator?). For a few hundred bucks they could save your life, so for me it’s a no brainer to have something like a Garmin InReach. If you use a smartphone to navigate and want a more affordable option that integrates with your phone easily, check out the ZOLEO. – Latest Prices:Amazon | REI
Altra Lone Peak 6 For most people, the Altra Lone Peak is a solid choice that will leave your feet feeling great at the end of any hike. The feel is cushy and light, and if it had a car equivalent, this would be a Cadillac or Mercedes Sedan. The grip is great and they’re reasonably durable for this type of trail runner, which I think is better in most conditions than a hiking boot, and here’s why. The downside of this shoe is that it won’t last as long as something like the Terraventure 3 or Moab 2 (see alternate footwear choices at the bottom of my gear page). I’ve been using mine for many miles and my feet always feel great. I have a video on the details of the Altra Lone Peak 6 here. – Women’s Latest Prices:REI | Amazon Men’s Latest Prices:REI | Amazon
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles I’ve gone back and forth on trekking poles, but I think for most people they are a good investment. They help you dig in on the uphills, provide stability on loose downhills, act as a brace when crossing streams, and can probably poke away aggressive wildlife in a pinch. The Trail Ergo Cork poles are a good balance of light weight, durability, affordability, and ease of use. If you want something ultralight and a little more pricey, I’ve had great luck with the Black Diamond Z Poles too. – Trail Ergo Poles: REI | Amazon Z-Poles:REI | Amazon
Gregory Zulu 30 & Jade 28 After testing quite a few backpacks, the Gregory Zulu 30 (and Jade 28 for women) is, for most hikers, the best all-season day-pack. First off, it’s very comfortable, and the mesh “trampoline” back keeps your back dry. Its 30L capacity is enough for all the essentials and plenty of layers for winter hiking. External pockets make it easy to grab gear. It’s hard to find something wrong with the pack; if anything, it could be a bit lighter, but overall, it’s not heavy. And its price-point makes it not only affordable but generally a great value. – Women’s Latest Prices:REI | Amazon Men’s Latest Prices:REI | Amazon
Here’s my complete gear list that I personally use, have tested, and recommend, updated June 2022.
No company pays me to promote or push a product, all the gear you see here is gear I use and recommend. If you click an a link and buy gear, I get a small commission that helps keep the website ad and promotion free. There is no cost to you.
Crystal Cove Red Route Trail Maps
Overall the trails are easy to follow and vary between wide sandy tracks and smaller single trail. The park is shared with mountain bikers, so keep an eye out, especially on the narrower sections.
The Crystal Cove trails have this handy trail map at most junctions. Look for the rivit in the sign that tells you where you are.I’ve noted all the important turns in the hike directions below, but you’ll also see some of these dead end side trails along the way, used to access utility poles.Some areas may be closed for habitat restoration. One of the park’s missions is to protect native species and fauna.
To access this guide when out of cell phone range on the trail, simply save the webpage on your phone ( iPhone – Android ).
Elevation Profile
You’ll roughly climb to the highest point by the middle of the hike, and then hike back to the same elevation. But there are a lot of small ups and downs that add up over the 9 miles of the red route.
Hike Landmarks
Landmark
Distance
Elevation
Trailhead
0
170
Bridge
0.5
50
Viewpoints Start
1
400
Lower Moro (Bathroom)
3
860
Uppe Moro Bathroom)
3.8
840
Deer Canyon (Bathroom)
6
640
Ridge Trail Views
7
690
3D Map
You can see from this 3d view that the red route does a loop around the permitter of the Moro Canyon area of the park.
Crystal Cove Red Route Hike Directions
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Start by following the boardwalk down from the parking lot.The boardwalk turns to dirt. Make the first left when you come to the intersection.The trail follows the road to the campground. Keep hiking straight.Avoid the beach trail to the right and bear left on the bigger trail.You’ll start descending into the bigger (lower) parking area. If you need to use a bathroom, you can do it in this parking area too.At the bottom of the hill (and at the trail board) make the left onto the Moro Canyon Trail.Right after the turn you’ll cross this big bridge.Avoid the side trail to the right immediately after the bridge.But make the next right after that last turn onto the BFI Trail.Here you can see the trail sign at that junction. You’ll have these trail signs along the route. And BFI stands for “Big (fill in the blank) Incline.”The trail is narrow and gradually uphill.But then you get to the “BFI” part of the trail and it gets steep. Just take your time. This first climb will be the toughest on the entire red route.When you reach the pavement, make the left and follow it uphill.Now you’re on the Moro Ridge Trail, and it’s steep going as you climb about 500 vertical feet.The nice thing about this steep section is that you have great ocean views when you stop to turn around. On a clear day you’ll see from Catalina Island to Palos Verdes.Eventually Moro Ridge Trail levels out with some gentle inclines.Stay straight as a dead-end trail comes in from the right.At about 2.5 miles in, you’ll reach the junction with the East Cut Across Trail. Go straight.There are some ups and downs as you continue on the Moro Ridge Trail, but it’s mainly easy going.At around 3 miles in you’ll reach Lower Moro Campground. Bear to the right; the trails to the left go into the camping area.If you want to do some primitive camping at Crystal Cove, this is one of your options. You can make a reservation here.There are primitive toilets just off the trail in the campground.About a half mile after Lower Moro, you’ll reach Upper Moro Campground.Upper Moro also has a primitive toilet.Continue hiking on Moro Ridge as it does a few short, steep climbs.At the top of one of the climbs, look for the left turnoff for Missing Link Trail, which you will follow for about 0.5 miles.Right after you start Missing Link, there’s a nice overlook, which on the day I did this guide, was covered in fog.The Missing Link Trail is small with lots of twists and turns.When you come to the junction with the Moro Canyon Trail, go straight through. On the right side of this fence is Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, an Orange County Park.After a very short stretch, bear right onto the Slow N Easy Trail.Just past the trail board, make the left onto the Fenceline Trail, which we’ll follow for about 0.5 miles.The Fenceline Trail is small like our last trail.At the end of the Fenceline Trail, make the left turn onto the Red Tail Trail.The trail is wide and meanders downhill.At the intersection with the Rattlesnake Trail, stay right on the wide Tickerton Trail and continue downhill.The downhill is steep, so watch your footing.At the bottom of the hill you’ll reach the Deer Canyon Campground, which has the last toilet before the end of the hike.The Red Route continues on the Tickerton Trail through the other side of Deer Canyon Campground.This part of the red route is quiet and peaceful.After a flat stretch you’ll have to do an uphill to climb out of Deer Canyon. It’s not nearly as tough as the first climb you did.When Tickerton ends, make the left onto No Name Ridge Trail.There are some ups and downs on this stretch.Keep going straight on No Name Ridge, avoiding the West Cut Across Trail to the left.More ups and downs. When it’s not foggy, you’ll start getting some good views from here.Stay right as the Poles Trail joins.And then joins again…. stay right.You’ll be able to see other hikers and trails as you continue down along the ridge, which is now called the No Dogs Trail.And you’ll also get sweeping views of the ocean once again.At the bottom of the hill you’ll reach a gate. Bear to the left.And a second later you’re back at the parking lot where you started!
This guide last updated on April 8, 2021. Did something change on this hike? If so, please contact me and let me know. I'll update the guide.