Elfin Forest Hike to Lake Hodges Overlook

7 miles - Moderate Effort
3-4 Hours (Total)
1,500 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 1,270 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

A favorite of San Diego hikers, this hike in the Eflin Forest to Lake Hodges Overlook offers a lot. Starting in a quaint valley along Escondido Creek, believed to have been a meeting point for neighboring native tribes, you'll ascend the picturesque Way Up Trail until you reach the shores of Olivenhain Reservoir. After circling the reservoir, you'll arrive at Lake Hodges Overlook, where panoramic views of the lake and mountain peaks are a feast for your eyes.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions to Lake Hodges Overlook
How to Get to the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve
Insider Hike Tips and Recommendations

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

Elfin sounds like something from Lord of the Rings, but it's not like exotic. Elfin Forest is a synonym for Dwarf Forest, the name for the heavy cover of coastal scrub found here.

Where is the Elfin Forest Hike?

The hike starts in the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, just outside of Escondido, CA. Use this trailhead address:
8833 Harmony Grove Rd, Escondido, CA 92029

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 6 — The parking lot is not big and fills up quickly. This is a popular hike. There's an overflow parking lot you can use if the main lot is full. I've marked it on the interactive map that follows.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 4 — There's an interpretive center at the end of the parking lot. The sculpture in front represents the Native Kumeyaay creation story.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 5 — There are water fills at the interpretive center.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 7 — You can find toilets at the trailhead area next to the parking lot.

Who Runs the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve?

Why the water company, of course! The Olivenhain Municipal Water District, which built the reservoir and dam that we'll see on the hike, runs and maintains the trails. They do an excellent job. There are lots of trail signs and the trails are in great condition.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 2 — Check the park website before you go (link at top) to confirm opening times and conditions. The park sometimes closes during rain and extreme temperatures.

There are 11 miles of trails over 734 acres in the Reserve. This hike takes you on what is probably the most popular route to Lake Hodges Overlook, but there are other trails as well. The Reserve website has a trail map if you want to explore more of the area.

Gear For the Hike

While you can get away with fitness clothing, I'd recommend hiking gear if you have it.
Good hiking shoes or trail runners will help on the slopes.
In the summer it can be brutally hot here.
Bring 1-2L of water depending on the conditions.
Trekking poles help on the climbs and descents.

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.

Elfin Forest Trail Maps

Overall the trails are well-marked and easy to follow, you shouldn't have a hard time navigating this hike as long as you read this guide.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 1 — The first trail you'll take, the Way Up Trail, has these cool mileage and elevation markers along the way. Many folks hike this trail to Harmony or Escondido Overlook only, and the beginning of the hike can get busy.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 3 — There are emergency markers as well. If you need to call 911, give them the closest marker number and they'll know where to find you. It's a smart system that's used extensively in San Diego County.

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

Elfin Forest Hike Elevations — The main climb is up to Escondido Overlook, and then there's some up and down as you hike along the reservoir to Lake Hodges Overlook.

Landmarks on the Hike

Landmark	Distance	Elevation
Trailhead	0.0	500
Harmony Overlook	1.0	1000
Escondido Overlook	1.75	1250
Lake Hodges Overlook	3.4	1230

3D Map

Elfin Forest Hike Directions

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 10 — Continue left past the trail boards.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 11 — And then make the first right and cross the bridge over Escondido Creek.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 12 — Escondido Creek is beautiful here, thanks largely to parks like this and the work of the Escondido Creek Conservancy. Eventually the creek flows into the ocean at Encinitas.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 13 — Right after the creek you'll start on the Way Up Trail.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 14 — As you might infer from the name "Way Up," you'll be hiking uphill right from the start.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 15 — Enjoy the views and natural beauty as you climb.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 16 — And check your progress with the trail markers.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 17 — At the intersection with the Botanical Trail, make the right to continue uphill.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 18 — The views get better and better as you climb the switchbacks.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 19 — After about a mile in, you reach Harmony Overlook. Enjoy the views and keep hiking uphill.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 20 — The gradient gets a little easier after the overlook.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 21 — And soon you're on the flat again. Keep straight on the wide, main trail, avoiding any trails off to the right.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 22 — At the big intersection, make the left turn.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 23 — I love the trail sign at this big intersection. It reminds me of the ones that say "Tokyo 4030 miles, North Pole 8738 miles, etc." If you need to go to the bathroom, there's one in the picnic area straight ahead.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 24 — From the left at the last intersection, you'll be going uphill.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 26 — Look back and enjoy the views of Olivenhain Reservoir and Dam as you hike uphill. The dam was completed in 2003 and supplies water (via gravity) in case of an emergency. Most of the water consumed in San Diego county is piped in from the Sierras and Colorado River.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 25 — Avoid any side trails to the left as you climb.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 27 — At the top of the hill, hike to the right.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 28 — And soon you'll arrive at Escondido Overlook. You can see Escondido off to the left from here.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 29 — After the overlook you'll see the trail winding down along the side of the water.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 30 — In the distance you can see Woodson Mountain (Potato Chip Rock) on the left and Iron Mountain on the right.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 31 — Continue along the reservoir.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 32 — Look for this turn off onto a smaller trail to the right.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 33 — The trail winds around and has some fenced sections.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 34 — The trail is smaller but easy to follow as it climbs up above the reservoir. The area from here to the overlook has all grown back since the 2007 Witch Fire.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 35 — Keep your eyes open for a small turnoff to the left.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 36 — The turnoff has a trail marker pointing to the overlook.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 37 — As you hill you'll begin to see Lake Hodges over the ridge.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 38 — And soon you'll see the pavilions at the overlook.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 39 — Enjoy the sweeping views down to Lake Hodges, which is actually connected to Olivenhain Reservoir with a pipeline.

If you want to walk the shores of Lake Hodges, check out the Bernardo Bay Trail. There's lots of great birding along the lake.

Elfin Forest Hike Directions 40 — From here you can do a little loop around the overlook area, or just go back the way you came.

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.