Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike

3.8 miles - Moderate Effort
Or: 1.5 miles or 2.5 miles
1:30 - 2:30 Hours (Total)
830 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 1,250 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

The Weir Canyon Loop Trail hike is tucked into Orange County suburbia, but once you step onto the trail, you will feel like you are miles away. This scenic loop trail in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains is packed with scenery. It offers stunning panoramic views reaching to the high mountains, easy to follow trails, winding canyon paths, and lots of wildflower and wildlife viewing. The full hike is 3.8 miles but you can do it with 1.5 or 2.5 mile options too. It's a great hike for families and those just wanting an outdoor fix without traveling far.

In this Guide:

Video & Turn by Turn Hike Directions
How to Get to the Weir Canyon Trailhead
Everything You Need to Know To Prepare for the Hike

Quick Links: Santiago Oaks Regional Park - NOAA Weather Report - Top Gear Picks (Nov 2022)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

Getting to Weir Canyon Trail

There are a few different access points to the Weir Canyon Trail, and the trailhead I have listed below is the most common start and stop of the hike, so we'll go with that. The street parking is free, but it is a residential neighborhood, so please don't block driveways and be respectful of the residents.

Use this trailhead address:
1000 E Overlook Terrace, Anaheim, CA, 92807

There are no bathrooms at the trailhead or on the hike.

Gear For the Hike

This is a straightforward hike on wide trails, but there are some ups and downs. If you have hiking shoes or boots, they will help, as will trekking poles. But plenty of people do the hike in fitness gear and you can too. In the summer it gets really hot here, and there is no tree cover. Bring at least 1L of water.

I waste my time with lousy hiking gear so you don't have to. Only the winners get onto my gear page. There's no fluff, sponsorships, or promotions. It's just gear I personally use, have tested, and recommend. Right now I'm liking my inReach Mini 2, Garmin Epix, and Lone Peak 6 shoes.
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My November 2022 Top Gear Picks

HUUUGE!!! ➤REI Cyberweek Sale Including Big Discounts on Hiking Tech Like inReach / Garmin Watches

Weir Canyon Trail Maps

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 28 — Please stay on the trails to protect the fragile and unique environment here.

The Weir Canyon Trail, part of Santiago Oaks Regional Park, is well marked on the entire route. The trail is wide and easy to follow, but there are quite a number of unofficial side trails that you won't take on this hike except for one exception (see the directions below). When in doubt, stay on the wider path.

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

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Guides to Help You Navigate

How To Use the AllTrails App (Beginners)

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How-To: Using Routes, Tracks, and Waypoints for Garmin Outdoors GPS

How To Read a Topographic Map

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 5 — Look for these well placed signs for the Weir Canyon Trail placed at important junctions along the hike.

The trail is also used by mountain bikes and horses, so be aware.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike Elevation — There's one big hill at the beginning, and then downhill, and then some small ups and downs as you make your way back through Weir Canyon. Some sections are steep, but the steep sections aren't very long.

Hike Brief

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 27 — Weir Canyon is a popular spot for wildflower viewing.

The best time to do this hike is in the winter or spring when the landscape is lush and green. It feels more like Ireland than it does Disneyland.
In the spring there are lots of wildflowers, including orange (and popular) California poppy. Please stay on the trail and don't pick the flowers.
If you do the hike during warmer times, leave at sunrise to beat the heat and crowds.
The legendary "Robin Hood of the West," Joaquin Murrieta, allegedly frequented these hills with his bandit gang in the late 1800s. The hill just south of this hike is called Robbers Peak and was named that because Murrieta used it as a lookout. A favorite target of the bandits was the Butterfield Stagecoach which passed through Weir Canyon. The character Zorro was based on Joaquin Murrieta.
You may see references to Weir Canyon Wilderness Park. The Weir Canyon area on this hike used to be its own park before it was incorporated into Santiago Oaks Regional Park in 2008.
In 2017 this area was devastated in the Canyon 2 Fire. Weir Canyon is a historical fire corridor and the 2017 fire wasn't the first.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 21 — Keep your eyes open along the hike for evidence of the fire damage. The area has bounced back very nicely since the fire.

Weir Canyon Trail Hike Directions

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Video Directions

Turn by Turn Directions

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 3 — The Weir Canyon trailhead is at the bottom of the hill in the parking area.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 4 — Head through the gate and trail board to start hiking uphill.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 6 — The beginning is steep, but doable. You'll be heading up to some incredible views at the hill in the distance.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 7 — At the first intersection, make the hard left. When you finish the loop hike you'll come back out at this intersection.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 8 — The trail climbs gradually and starts to offer some nice views.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 9 — At the intersection with the Old Weir Trail, go straight. The Old Weir Trail (to the right) will get you to the top, but it's much tougher.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 10 — Start the gradual climb to the top. As you head uphill you'll be rewarded with spectacular views. Avoid any small side trails and continue on the wide Weir Canyon Trail.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 11 — Okay, here's the exception where we are going off the main trail onto a smaller side trail. At the top of the hill, look for this little trail to the right that goes up to the summit. The main trail will go around the summit to the left. Make the right.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 12 — Head up the hill until you reach the top (the first bump). Soak in the views.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 13 — To the north you'll Mt Baldy and the high peaks of Angeles National Forest.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 14 — And to the east, Weir Canyon and Saddleback Mountain.

If you want to do the short 1.5 mile version of the hike, just turn around and go back the way you came from here.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 15 — After the summit go straight and bear left to rejoin the main Weir Canyon Trail.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 1 — Avoid the little side trails and continue straight on the main trail as it goes along the ridge. You'll have panoramic views on this stretch.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 16 — Keep going straight along the ridge. Don't worry, you won't be going up that hill in front of you.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 17 — At the junction by the hill, go straight.

If you want to do the 2.5 mile hike, make the right onto the Deerweed Trail at the last junction, hike downhill, and pick up the directions later.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 18 — Otherwise keep straight as the Weir Canyon Trail winds down to the northern part of the park. You'll see houses in the distance where the park ends.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 19 — The trail winds around to the east. Go straight and avoid any small side trails.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 20 — From here on out the trail will wind its way along the canyon with some ups and downs. When you get to an up part, look for the trail in the distance.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 22 — The climbs on this part are short but sometimes steep.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 24 — When you get to the junction of the Deerweed Trail, make the hard left.

If you did the 2.5 mile version, you'll pick up the directions here after going down the hill.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 25 — The trail continues to wind back towards the start. You can see it continuing in the distance. Almost there!

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 26 — After the last rise, you'll descend along these fences.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 29 — And at the intersection go straight.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 30 — And right after that you arrive back at the big intersection near the start. Go straight to head downhill to the parking area.

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 31 — And there it is down the hill, the parking and the end of the Weir Canyon Loop hike!

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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!).

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