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Hike the Mt Rubidoux Trail (Riverside)

By Cris Hazzard, Professional Hiking Guide
Updated January 18, 2025

Hike Stats

Total Distance: 3 miles
Time: 1-2 Hours
Total Climbing: 560 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Crowds: Crowded
Dogs: Leashed
Gear: What I Use
Weather: Latest Report
Park: Mount Rubidoux Park

Although not a wilderness hike, the Mt Rubidoux Trail, nestled right in the middle of Riverside, CA, still has lots to offer and is worth a visit. A gradual, paved, family-friendly trail winds up to the top of Mt Rubidoux, where you are treated to panoramic views of the big mountain ranges, as well as attractions some historical attractions like the Serra Cross, the giant flag, and the Peace Bridge. Now there are many trails in Mt Rubidoux Park, but I'll show you the popular (and probably easiest) route to the top.

And if you're a hardcore hiker and are considering this hike but don't like that it's paved, know that John Muir did this hike (really).

Where to Park for Mt Rubidoux

Official parking for the Mt Rubidoux Trail is about a five-minute walk away from the trailhead, at Ryan Bonaminio Park. There is no parking on the street in front of the trailhead. Use this trailhead address:
Ryan Bonaminio Park, 5000 Tequesquite Ave, Riverside, CA 92506

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 2 — Ryan Bonaminio Park is massive and has lots of parking. Note that the Mt Rubidoux Trail is very popular, and the lot can get pretty full, but generally there's always a place to park.

Parking at Ryan Bonaminio Park is free.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 3 — The park has bathrooms and picnic tables.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 4 — From the park, cross the street and walk up San Andreas Ave to find the trailhead (on the left as you walk up about 5 minutes). Generally there will be a stream of people coming and going, so the street is easy to spot.

Mt Rubidoux Park is open from dawn to dusk.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 5 — There are always a lot of people on the Mt Rubidoux Trail. Here you can see the traffic to the trailhead (from the parking lot) on a weekday. To avoid the crowds, come at sunrise or on a weekday.

Gear for the Hike

This is in no way a technical hike, and you're fine with fitness clothes and sneakers. The hike is very exposed, and I generally bring 1L of water and wear sunscreen. I'd highly recommend a camera for all the incredible views.

Essentials I’m Using Now

Garmin inReach Mini 2: Reliable SOS Everywhere on Earth
Sawyer + CNOC Water Filter: Easy & Reliable Safe Water
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp: Running late? Get home safe
Altra Olympus 275: Favorite trail shoes right now, no blisters and very comfy.
AllTrails Plus (30% off): Offline maps on your phone with the Plus level
Full December 2025 Gear List →

Mt Rubidoux Trail Maps

While there are many trails in Mt Rubidoux Park, many of them dirt, the main loop trail is all paved. If you've never done the hike before, I recommend starting with the official loop and adding some side trails if you want to explore. The park is small and has no tree cover; it's tough to get lost, if not impossible.

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Elevation Profile

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Elevation — The trail to the summit is uphill, but gradual, without any extremely steep sections. When you go back down, you have a nice long downhill cruise.

3D Map

Making the Hike Interesting

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Historic — Here's Easter Sunrise Service at the cross on the summit in 1910. The year before, in 1909, the first outdoor non-denominational service was held here, and then became a model for similar services around the world. Today the sunrise service here is the longest-running one in the USA.

Mt Rubidoux became a park in 1906 when Frank Miller (the force behind the famous Mission Inn in Riverside) and Henry E. Huntington (who you might know from the Huntington Library or Huntington Beach) purchased the land.
The Serra Cross (the big cross at the top) has had its share of controversy. A group advocating the separation of church and state got into a legal battle with the city, since the cross was on public land. The city ended up selling the land under the cross to a private organization called "Totally Mt. Rubidoux" which now cares for it. And in recent years, the cross, named after early missionary Junipero Serra, has occasionally been vandalized as Serra's legacy is reexamined.
My favorite attraction, aside from the views, is the Peace Tower and Friendship Bridge, built in 1925 to honor of Frank Miller. The style is based on a bridge in Alcántara, Spain, and it fits in nicely with the historic, Spanish-influenced vibe of the area.
Crowds at the Peace Tower dedication in 1925. Photo Rivera Library

Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 8 — Check the trail board at the start for any notices. It's also a decent photo spot with the cast iron sign.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 9 — You can refill on water at the start.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 10 — Start hiking up the paved path. Stay to the right and watch out for runners coming up behind you.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 11 — Once the trail twists around, you'll see the summit ahead of you.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 12 — You'll also see a few of these handy mileage markers along the way.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 2 1 — Look for views of Mt San Gorgonio, the highest peak in Southern California, in the distance.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 2 2 — When you get to the junction, make the hard left. On the way back, you'll come out here after circling the mountain.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 2 3 — Enjoy the gradual uphill.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 2 4 — You'll get great views of Saddleback Mountain in Orange County on this stretch.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 2 5 — As the trail twists around the mountain, there's the first of several benches along the way where you can rest.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 13 — You'll also get some great views of Angeles National Forest as you hike up this part of the trail. Here's Cucamonga Peak, with a snowy Mt Baldy poking up just over the ridge behind.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 14 — You're almost near the top. There's a rare shaded bench here.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 15 — Soon you'll see the cross and summit ahead of you.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 16 — When you get to the intersection, make the hard right.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 17 — Keep heading up the paved path.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 18 — And soon you'll see the Peace Tower in front of you.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 19 — Go up the stairs and explore the tower and bridge. When you're finished here, continue up the trail.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 20 — The trail starts to twist around to the left again.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 26 — When finished at the top, head back to the intersection and go downhill.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 27 — You'll be on the familiar paved path.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 28 — Soon you'll arrive at the bridge you saw at an intersection earlier.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 29 — Make the hard left once over the bridge to continue downhill on the paved path.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 30 — The trail is a nice, long paved downhill, with lots of views.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 31 — You'll see many dirt trails heading off the paved path on the north and east side of the mountain. Stay on the paved trail.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 32 — There's a little boulder area that you can climb for a view.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 33 — And eventually you'll reach the lower intersection where you turned at the beginning of the hike. Go straight and hike back down the path that you hiked up.

Hike The Mt Rubidoux Trail Directions 34 — And soon you're back at the trailhead gate where you started. That's the hike!