Switzer Falls Hike

4 miles - Moderate Effort
2-3 Hours (Total)
690 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 3,250 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

The Switzer Falls hike is so much more than just a waterfall. In about 2 miles the trail to Switzer Falls takes you along a babbling brook, through historic ruins, on the side of a spectacular gorge, and then finally, to a pristine waterfall. Although I've listed the Switzer Falls hike as moderate because there's a bit of climbing, overall it's a very doable hike that offers many rewards for a small effort. It's also a popular hike so it's best done very early before the crowds show up.

In this Guide:

Turn by Turn Hike Directions & Hike Video
Switzer Falls Trail Maps
How to Get to the Switzer Falls Hike

Quick Links:
Parks Pass - Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Sep 2024 Gear

How To Get To Switzer Falls

Use this trailhead address:
Switzer Picnic Area, Altadena, CA 91001

The Switzer Falls hike starts at the Switzer Picnic area, which can be a little tricky. When you see the sign for the picnic area from the highway, you need to drive all the way down the hill to the last parking area. If that parking area is full (it won't be if you get there early) you can park in one of the lots in the upper areas.

Switzer Falls Directions 2 — When you see the sign for Switzer Picnic Area from Angeles Crest Highway, drive down the hill.

Switzer Falls Directions 3 — It's a steep downhill drive with two-way traffic, so go slow and be cautious.

Switzer Falls Directions 4 — The lower parking area is big but does fill up as the day goes on.

There are primitive bathrooms in the parking area.

You'll need a National Parks Pass or Adventure Pass to park here.

Switzer Falls Parking Map — The Switzer Falls trailhead is where you first enter the lower parking lot.

Switzer Falls Directions 5 — There are (obviously) picnic benches here too, some down by the Arroyo Seco stream. It's a nice place for a snack after your hike.

This hike is best done very early to avoid the crowds.

Gear for the Hike

You don't really need any special hiking gear for Switzer Falls, you can get away with fitness gear if you want to. Every time I do this hike I see people in jeans and t-shirts. Personally I wear hiking gear including water-resistant boots that help on the stream crossings. Trekking poles will help too if you are not comfortable hopping across rocks and logs. The trail is mostly shaded so sun exposure is not a huge issue.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2Hit SOS or just tell loved ones that you're running late where your cell phone has no service. Review here.

Topo Pursuit 2The best hiking footwear I've ever owned. No blisters. Get them wet, they dry quickly. Lots of cushion and comfort.

Garmin Epix ProHiking maps, route info, and fitness stats on my wrist. Review here.

Osprey Hikelite 26Lightweight, carries all your gear, and your back doesn't get sweaty. Oh yea, it's also one of the most inexpensive packs you can get.

Check out the complete list here. ( Updated September 2024)

Switzer Falls Trail Maps

The hike to Switzer Falls follows the Gabrielino Trail for most of the way, and overall is very easy to follow. Some sections in the beginning and end involve stream crossings; often there are multiple options to cross. In general everything that splits apart joins together again.

Switzer Falls Hike Elevation — The trail to the falls is mostly downhill, and you have to hike back out. But the gradients are forgiving and gradual.

Switzer Falls Hike 3d Map — The trail starts on the left, winds it's way down the valley along the Arroyo Seco, and then does a switchback down to the falls at the end.

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

Switzer History

Switzer Land Lodge 1920s — Here's what Switzer's Trail Camp looked like in the 1920s. Today you'll only see the lower wall. Photo Homestead Blog

Hiking and enjoying the outdoors boomed in the 1880s and is known as "the Great Hiking Era." Think John Muir, big beards, and skirts down to the ankle.
Halfway on the hike you'll arrive at what's left of Switzer Trail Camp, started in 1884 by Commodore Perry Switzer, a Pasadena carpenter. At one point there were a series of these mountain resorts all through Angeles National Forest and hikers would often through-hike from one to another.
The camp went through several owners and rebuilds, at one point being named "Switzer-land." New owners added tennis courts, a dance hall, and even a chapel perched on a cliff above the Arroyo Seco (more on that in the directions).
The depression and WW2 took the wind out of the sails of the great hiking era, but many of the resorts continued on but eventually fizzled out. Switzer's was open until a fire destroyed it in 1959. After a brief stint with the Boy Scouts, the Forest Service realized that they couldn't ensure people's safety and demolished Switzer Camp and the chapel. At the end of the guide I'll share an email from Ken, whose family ran Switzer's for a while.
Today you can still see some walls, stoves, and ruins of the old Switzer Camp. More about that later in the directions.

Switzer Falls Hike Directions

Switzer Falls Directions 6 — Head to the beginning of the lower parking lot where the bathroom is and make the left to start the hike.

Switzer Falls Directions 7 — The trailhead is easy to spot with a bridge over the Arroyo Seco and trail signs.

Switzer Falls Directions 8 — After the bridge there are some more picnic areas and bathrooms. Keep straight on the trail, which is paved.

Switzer Falls Directions 9 — Pretty soon the shaded path becomes more of a trail and follows the Arroyo Seco.

Switzer Falls Directions 10 — The trail crosses the stream several times. Each crossing has a few ways over, so pick your path and find the trail on the other side.

Switzer Falls Directions 11 — A few of the crossings have trail markers on the other side to confirm that you're in the right place.

Switzer Falls Directions 12 — Keep your eyes open for ruins from the old resort days.

Switzer Falls Directions 13 — There's one larger stream crossing that can get a little tricky. As earlier, you can cross any way and the trail comes together on the other side.

Switzer Falls Directions 14 — One last small stream crossing and you're almost at Switzer's Camp.

Switzer Falls Directions 15 — Here you are, Swtizer's Camp. This is roughly the same view as you saw earlier in the historic photo.

Switzer Falls Directions 16 — There's not much left after the area was demolished in 1943, but they couldn't kill the old wood-burning stoves. People still use them, which is pretty awesome.

Switzer Falls Directions 17 — Right after the trail camp there's a sign pointing the way down to the right. Cross the stream one last time and start climbing.

Switzer Falls Directions 18 — Right after you cross the stream and start climbing, the trail splits. The main route to the lower falls is up to the right. If you want to hike to the top of the upper falls, you can take the less travelled trail to the left. It takes you above the upper falls, so you need to exercise caution. People have gotten very hurt there.

Switzer Falls Directions 19 — There's a little climb as the trail winds along the river gorge.

Switzer Falls Directions 20 — The views from the trail in this section are incredible. Much of this area was burned in the 2009 Station Fire but is recovering well. The river gorge stretches in front of you as you continue to hike the Gabrielino Trail.

Switzer Falls Directions 22 — When you first start on this stretch of trail there's an old fence. Shortly after the fence starts, look down to your right to see the upper falls. You'll probably be able to hear them.

Switzer Falls Directions 21 — A short while after that, before you reach the next junction, keep your eyes open for the ruins of an old chapel on top of a hill.

Switzer Chapel — The chapel was built in 1924 and included a pipe organ and stained glass windows, all hauled up the cliff by hand. The chapel held 200 people and was a popular wedding destination. You can hike up to the ruins from the trail above the upper falls. It's about a 200ft scramble but it's doable.

Switzer Falls Directions 23 — Eventually you'll reach this trail split. We're going to leave the Gabrielino Trail and head down to the lower falls on the left.

Switzer Falls Directions 24 — The ridge-line trail descends toward Bear Canyon and Arroyo Seco.

Switzer Falls Directions 25 — When you get to the bottom continue straight to the lower falls. There's a trail back to the right to Bear Canyon Campground (more later).

Switzer Falls Directions 26 — At the bottom there's a sign pointing you toward the falls. From here you're going to be heading upstream on the Arroyo Seco.

Switzer Falls Directions 27 — This section goes over and through the stream much like the first part of the hike. There are multiple ways to cross and cross back. Just keep heading upstream.

Switzer Falls Directions 28 — There it is, (lower) Switzer Falls!

Switzer Falls Directions 29 — The pool at the bottom of the falls is great to soak your feet in or even take a dip.

Switzer Falls Directions 32 — From the falls you just go back the way you came. It's a great hike, give it a try. See you out there!

Optional Extensions

Upper Switzer Falls

The taller 50' Upper Switzer Falls are a short trip upstream from here. The only problem is that it's not a "trail trail," you have to climb up over the lower falls and then pick your way up the stream. If it's doable by kids with vape pens, it's doable by you.

Switzer Falls Directions 30 — Just before you reach the lower falls there's a small trail up to the right.

Switzer Falls Directions 31 — When you get up above the falls, you have to walk along a narrow ridge. There's usually a rope to hang onto.

Once you're over the lower falls, follow the stream to the upper falls.There are some decent swimming holes on this stretch.

Please don't cliff dive or do other stupid things here. Rescues are fairly frequent because of bozo behavior.

Bear Canyon Trail Camp

If you want to add another 3 miles (round trip) to the hike, you can continue down the trail to Bear Canyon Trail Camp. When you get back to the intersection at the bottom of the gorge, instead of going uphill back to the cliff-side trail, continue straight on the Bear Canyon trail.

Switzer Falls Directions 33 — You'll see this trail sign when you head back from Switzer Falls.

It's a nice trail that gets rough at times but is largely free of crowds. If you're looking for some more miles and want to escape the crowds, it's a nice extension. There's also some decent swimming spots along the trail.

Ken Fitzgerald on Switzer's Later History

Here's an email (shared with permission) from a reader whose family ran the resort for a while.

My grandparents (Edgar & Libby Swanson) began operating the resort (which had been neglected for years) in 1945, when my mother was 10 years old. My two uncles were born while at the resort over the next five years. My father met my mother during his visits as a band member entertaining guests on the weekend in the lodge. They (Leo & Norma Fitzgetald) ended up marrying in 1956... in the chapel.

With parents married... my grandparents moved up the hill to Mt. Wilson, and operated that resort until 1965 when the Forest Service leased the land to MetroMedia (KTTV) and bulldozed the hotel, cabins and swimming pool. My parents continued operating Switzers, raising the first three of my siblings there. A horrible fire in 1959 made the Forest Service realize they could not protect the people at the resort. The resort was forced to close, and the Boy Scouts were allowed to use the resort as of 1960. It didn't take long to realize the scouts were vandalizing the property... so the Forest Service bulldozed the cabins and lodge, and dynamited the chapel.

Three was a restaurant up where the existing parking/picnic area now are, called the "Inlet." My mother and brother walked the mile from the lodge to the inlet most days to catch the bus to school in La Canada. There are retaining walls along the hike down from the parking area, that have my family's name scribed. There is a spring 100 yards upstream from the lodge, where pipes carried the water downstream for the lodge. And yes... lots of famous people visited the resort on weekend getaways from the city. We still have the guestbook.

Need More Info?

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When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.
Do you have an update to this guide? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to update the guide.

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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.