Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 2
Hikes In and Around Orange County

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

what does this mean?

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

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

Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 2
You'll drive through what looks like a gated community (but is not) and come down this hill as you approach your destination. Park anywhere along the side of the road, as close to the bottom as you can, without blocking a driveway.

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.

Top Spring 2023 Gear Picks

Osprey Waistpack

Osprey Stratos and Sirrus 24 Daypack ( Amazon | Sirrus REI | Stratos REI )
Garmin Mini 2 Satellite Communicator ( Amazon | REI )
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles ( REI | Amazon  )
As a hiking guide, I test lots of hiking gear. On my picks page, I'll show you all of the gear that I actually use. I don't accept paid promotions or talk about the stuff that doesn't make the cut. It's just the gear that works best, so you don't have to waste your money.

All My March 2023 Top Gear Picks

Weir Canyon Trail Maps

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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.

Click Here To View

Explore Map on CalTopoView a Printable PDF Hike MapDownload the Hike GPX File

Free Nav Tools:  GaiaGPS - AllTrails

Guides to Help You Navigate

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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

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Weir Canyon is a popular spot for wildflower viewing.
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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

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The Weir Canyon trailhead is at the bottom of the hill in the parking area.
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Head through the gate and trail board to start hiking uphill.
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The beginning is steep, but doable. You'll be heading up to some incredible views at the hill in the distance.
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At the first intersection, make the hard left. When you finish the loop hike you'll come back out at this intersection.
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The trail climbs gradually and starts to offer some nice views.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Head up the hill until you reach the top (the first bump). Soak in the views.
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To the north you'll Mt Baldy and the high peaks of Angeles National Forest.
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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.

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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.
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Keep going straight along the ridge. Don't worry, you won't be going up that hill in front of you.
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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.

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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.
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The trail winds around to the east. Go straight and avoid any small side trails.
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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.
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The climbs on this part are short but sometimes steep.
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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.

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The trail continues to wind back towards the start. You can see it continuing in the distance. Almost there!
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After the last rise, you'll descend along these fences.
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And at the intersection go straight.
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And right after that you arrive back at the big intersection near the start. Go straight to head downhill to the parking area.
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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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