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Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike 2
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Weir Canyon Loop Trail Hike

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
Total Distance3.8 miles (6.1 km)
Other Options 1.5 miles or 2.5 miles
Hike Time1:30 - 2:30 Hours (Total)
Difficulty (?)Moderate
Total Ascent (?)830 feet (253m)
Highest Elevation1,250 feet (381m)
Fees & PermitsNone
Dogs AllowedLeashed
Alerts & Closures (?)Santiago Oaks Regional Park
Park Phone714-973-6620

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.

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.

La Sportiva Spire

I try a lot of hiking boots and shoes, and there are some great options out there, but the La Sportiva Spire is the best combination of comfort, protection, low-weight, and durability. They are waterproof, and the high cuff keeps debris out without the need for a gaiter. Time tested over thousands of miles. Use them with a two-layer sock system to end blisters for good.
Reviews & Lowest Prices: Women – Men

Osprey Talon

On a medium or longer hike I recommend a pack like the Osprey Talon 33 (men) or Osprey Sirrus 36 (women) which is a little bit larger. These packs are on the upper end of the (35L) daypack range, but they only weigh a small fraction more than a pack with less capacity. Having the extra space gives you more flexibility and means you don’t have to jam things in there. I use the space for things like extra layers in the winter, extra water on desert hikes, and even a tent & sleeping bag on overnights.

Garmin Inreach Mini Beacon

If you’re not familiar with the Garmin InReach technology, it allows you to send and receive text messages where you don’t have cell phone signals. You can also get weather reports and trigger an SOS to emergency responders. Even if you don’t have an emergency, sending a quick message telling a loved one that you’re okay or are running late is well worth the cost. The Mini fits in your palm and weighs next to nothing. Read my review and see the lowest prices and reviews at REI (or Amazon).

Here’s my complete gear list that I personally use, have tested, and recommend, updated September 2020.

My September 2020 Top Gear Picks

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 offset website expenses. There is no cost to you.

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.

Click Here To View Map

Download the Hike GPX FileView a Printable PDF Hike Map

Fenix 6 Pro

Your best move to navigate this hike is to take a paper map, compass, and a GPS device. Load the GPX track from this hike onto your GPS to ensure that you’re on the trail. I’m a big fan of GPS watches; I just glance down at it to cross-check my position and use paper when I want a deeper dive. The GPS watch that I’m using now is the Fenix 6 Pro Solar (price: REI or Amazon). It’s pricey but has a great battery, accurate GPS, and tons of other wellness, fitness, and smart-watch applications. For a more affordable option, check out the value-packed Garmin Instinct  (price: REI or Amazon), a similar watch without some of the features. There are also great smartphone GPS apps like GaiaGPS. If you end up getting GaiaGPS premium, I’ve arranged for a 20-40% discount for my readers.

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.
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

Watch This Video In 360/VR Why 360/VR Is Great

Turn by Turn Directions

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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!

Did something change on this hike? If so, please contact me and let me know. I'll update the guide.

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