Best Hikes and Trails in San Diego County

With the second richest biodiversity of any county in the continental United States, San Diego County offers a huge variety of hiking experiences. The 4,525 square mile county encompasses ocean bluffs covered with rare Torrey pines, rugged inland peaks studded with granite boulders, gently rolling mountain ranges blanketed in pine and oak forests, and the scorched badlands of Anza-Borrego desert. A vast treasure trove of natural marvels awaits the adventurous hiker.

Viewing 81 of 81 Hikes

Cactus Loop

Distance: .7 mi

Time: .5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 214 ft

Difficulty:

Truckhaven Rocks

Distance: 1.5 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 250 ft

Difficulty:

Tenaja Falls

Distance: 1.6 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Difficulty:

Rainbow Canyon

Distance: 2 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Difficulty:

Oakoasis Preserve

Distance: 2.5 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 500 ft

Difficulty:

Love Valley

Distance: 2.2 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 300 ft

Difficulty:

Sycuan Peak

Distance: 2.1 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 800 ft

Difficulty:

Batiquitos Lagoon

Distance: 2.8 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 50 ft

Difficulty:

Garnet Peak

Distance: 2.2 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 550 ft

Difficulty:

Mine Peak

Distance: 2.4 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 750 ft

Difficulty:

El Prado Loop

Distance: 2.9 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 250 ft

Difficulty:

Borrego Palm Canyon

Distance: 3 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 525 ft

Difficulty:

Guajome Regional Park

Distance: 3 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 150 ft

Difficulty:

Razor Point / Beach / Broken Hill Loop

Distance: 3 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 350 ft

Difficulty:

Lake Calavera

Distance: 3.2 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Difficulty:

Oak Canyon

Distance: 3.2 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 300 ft

Difficulty:

Santa Margarita River

Distance: 3 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 150 ft

Difficulty:

Thunder Spring and Chimney Flat Loop

Distance: 3.9 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 900 ft

Difficulty:

Ramona Grasslands

Distance: 3.4 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 380 ft

Difficulty:

Spooners Mesa

Distance: 3.2 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Difficulty:

Stonewall Peak

Distance: 3.8 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 900 ft

Difficulty:

Agua Caliente County Park

Distance: 3.2 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 500 ft

Difficulty:

Horsethief Canyon

Distance: 3.2 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 500 ft

Difficulty:

Boucher Hill Loop

Distance: 3.6 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 800 ft

Difficulty:

Viejas Mountain

Distance: 3.6 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1600 ft

Difficulty:

Sheep Canyon

Distance: 3 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1100 ft

Difficulty:

The Observatory Trail

Distance: 4.7 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 950 ft

Difficulty:

Eagle Peak

Distance: 4.4 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1000 ft

Difficulty:

Black Mountain

Distance: 4.1 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 700 ft

Difficulty:

Lower Willows

Distance: 4.3 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 350 ft

Difficulty:

Del Mar Mesa Preserve

Distance: 4.4 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 500 ft

Difficulty:

Double Peak

Distance: 4.7 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1000 ft

Difficulty:

Azalea Glen

Distance: 4 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 700 ft

Difficulty:

West Butte Borrego Mountain and The Slot

Distance: 4.6 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 750 ft

Difficulty:

Combs Peak

Distance: 4.5 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1200 ft

Difficulty:

Clevenger Canyon South

Distance: 4.4 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1150 ft

Difficulty:

Engelmann Oak Loop

Distance: 5.1 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 800 ft

Difficulty:

Hellhole Canyon

Distance: 5 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 900 ft

Difficulty:

Piedras Pintadas and Bernardo Bay

Distance: 5.2 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Difficulty:

Iron Mountain

Distance: 5.3 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1000 ft

Difficulty:

Volcan Mountain

Distance: 5.2 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1300 ft

Difficulty:

La Jolla Shores to Torrey Pines Beach

Distance: 5 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 5 ft

Difficulty:

Kelly Ditch Trail

Distance: 5.4 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 900 ft

Difficulty:

Cuyamaca Peak

Distance: 5.6 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1700 ft

Difficulty:

Border Field State Park

Distance: 5.3 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 140 ft

Difficulty:

Whale Peak

Distance: 5.5 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1700 ft

Difficulty:

Santa Ysabel Preserve West

Distance: 5.2 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1100 ft

Difficulty:

Goat Canyon Trestle via Mortero Palms

Distance: 5.5 mi

Time: 6 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2200 ft

Difficulty:

Cowles Mountain and Pyles Peak

Distance: 6.3 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1700 ft

Difficulty:

Hollenbeck Canyon

Distance: 6.3 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 500 ft

Difficulty:

Boden Canyon

Distance: 6.5 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 500 ft

Difficulty:

Barker Valley

Distance: 6.5 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1000 ft

Difficulty:

San Onofre State Beach

Distance: 6.1 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 150 ft

Difficulty:

Eagle Rock

Distance: 6.4 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 980 ft

Difficulty:

West Mesa Loop

Distance: 6.8 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1300 ft

Difficulty:

Lawson and Gaskill Peaks

Distance: 6.75 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2000 ft

Difficulty:

Sunset Trail

Distance: 7 mi

Time: 3.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 850 ft

Difficulty:

Bernardo Mountain

Distance: 7.2 mi

Time: 3.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1000 ft

Difficulty:

San Elijo Lagoon

Distance: 7 mi

Time: 3.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 300 ft

Difficulty:

Sandstone Canyon

Distance: 7 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 800 ft

Difficulty:

Corte Madera Mountain

Distance: 7 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1700 ft

Difficulty:

The Domelands

Distance: 7 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1200 ft

Difficulty:

Granite Mountain

Distance: 7 mi

Time: 8 hrs

Elevation Gain: 3400 ft

Difficulty:

San Ysidro Mountain

Distance: 7.8 mi

Time: 9 hrs

Elevation Gain: 4560 ft

Difficulty:

Mount Gower

Distance: 8.2 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1700 ft

Difficulty:

Agua Caliente Creek

Distance: 8.4 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1100 ft

Difficulty:

Palomar Mountain State Park

Distance: 8.8 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1250 ft

Difficulty:

Morena Butte

Distance: 8 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1500 ft

Difficulty:

Diablo Peak via June Wash

Distance: 8.2 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1250 ft

Difficulty:

Indianhead Mountain

Distance: 8.3 mi

Time: 8 hrs

Elevation Gain: 3200 ft

Difficulty:

Hot Springs Mountain

Distance: 9.9 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2500 ft

Difficulty:

Daley Ranch

Distance: 9.7 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1800 ft

Difficulty:

Noble Canyon Trail

Distance: 10.4 mi

Time: 6 hrs

Elevation Gain: 900 ft

Difficulty:

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

Distance: 10.2 mi

Time: 6 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2200 ft

Difficulty:

El Cajon Mountain

Distance: 11 mi

Time: 7 hrs

Elevation Gain: 4000 ft

Difficulty:

High Point from Oak Grove

Distance: 13 mi

Time: 7 hrs

Elevation Gain: 3500 ft

Difficulty:

Black Mountain in Ramona

Distance: 14.2 mi

Time: 7 hrs

Elevation Gain: 3200 ft

Difficulty:

Secret Canyon Trail

Distance: 15.6 mi

Time: 9 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1500 ft

Difficulty:

Otay Mountain

Distance: 15.4 mi

Time: 9 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2600 ft

Difficulty:

Eagle Crag via Cutca Valley

Distance: 17.3 mi

Time: 9 hrs

Elevation Gain: 3800 ft

Difficulty:

Rabbit Peak via Villager Peak

Distance: 22.7 mi

Time: 18 hrs

Elevation Gain: 8300 ft

Difficulty:

Cactus Loop

Distance: .7 mi

Time: .5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 214 ft

Difficulty:

Truckhaven Rocks

Distance: 1.5 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 250 ft

Difficulty:

Tenaja Falls

Distance: 1.6 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Difficulty:

Rainbow Canyon

Distance: 2 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Difficulty:

Oakoasis Preserve

Distance: 2.5 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 500 ft

Difficulty:

Love Valley

Distance: 2.2 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 300 ft

Difficulty:

Sycuan Peak

Distance: 2.1 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 800 ft

Difficulty:

Batiquitos Lagoon

Distance: 2.8 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 50 ft

Difficulty:

Garnet Peak

Distance: 2.2 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 550 ft

Difficulty:

Mine Peak

Distance: 2.4 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 750 ft

Difficulty:

El Prado Loop

Distance: 2.9 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 250 ft

Difficulty:

Borrego Palm Canyon

Distance: 3 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 525 ft

Difficulty:

Guajome Regional Park

Distance: 3 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 150 ft

Difficulty:

Razor Point / Beach / Broken Hill Loop

Distance: 3 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 350 ft

Difficulty:

Lake Calavera

Distance: 3.2 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Difficulty:

Oak Canyon

Distance: 3.2 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 300 ft

Difficulty:

Santa Margarita River

Distance: 3 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 150 ft

Difficulty:

Thunder Spring and Chimney Flat Loop

Distance: 3.9 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 900 ft

Difficulty:

Ramona Grasslands

Distance: 3.4 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 380 ft

Difficulty:

Spooners Mesa

Distance: 3.2 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Difficulty:

Stonewall Peak

Distance: 3.8 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 900 ft

Difficulty:

Agua Caliente County Park

Distance: 3.2 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 500 ft

Difficulty:

Horsethief Canyon

Distance: 3.2 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 500 ft

Difficulty:

Boucher Hill Loop

Distance: 3.6 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 800 ft

Difficulty:

Viejas Mountain

Distance: 3.6 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1600 ft

Difficulty:

Sheep Canyon

Distance: 3 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1100 ft

Difficulty:

The Observatory Trail

Distance: 4.7 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 950 ft

Difficulty:

Eagle Peak

Distance: 4.4 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1000 ft

Difficulty:

Black Mountain

Distance: 4.1 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 700 ft

Difficulty:

Lower Willows

Distance: 4.3 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 350 ft

Difficulty:

Del Mar Mesa Preserve

Distance: 4.4 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 500 ft

Difficulty:

Double Peak

Distance: 4.7 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1000 ft

Difficulty:

Azalea Glen

Distance: 4 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 700 ft

Difficulty:

West Butte Borrego Mountain and The Slot

Distance: 4.6 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 750 ft

Difficulty:

Combs Peak

Distance: 4.5 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1200 ft

Difficulty:

Clevenger Canyon South

Distance: 4.4 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1150 ft

Difficulty:

Engelmann Oak Loop

Distance: 5.1 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 800 ft

Difficulty:

Hellhole Canyon

Distance: 5 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 900 ft

Difficulty:

Piedras Pintadas and Bernardo Bay

Distance: 5.2 mi

Time: 2.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Difficulty:

Iron Mountain

Distance: 5.3 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1000 ft

Difficulty:

Volcan Mountain

Distance: 5.2 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1300 ft

Difficulty:

La Jolla Shores to Torrey Pines Beach

Distance: 5 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 5 ft

Difficulty:

Kelly Ditch Trail

Distance: 5.4 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 900 ft

Difficulty:

Cuyamaca Peak

Distance: 5.6 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1700 ft

Difficulty:

Border Field State Park

Distance: 5.3 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 140 ft

Difficulty:

Whale Peak

Distance: 5.5 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1700 ft

Difficulty:

Santa Ysabel Preserve West

Distance: 5.2 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1100 ft

Difficulty:

Goat Canyon Trestle via Mortero Palms

Distance: 5.5 mi

Time: 6 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2200 ft

Difficulty:

Cowles Mountain and Pyles Peak

Distance: 6.3 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1700 ft

Difficulty:

Hollenbeck Canyon

Distance: 6.3 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 500 ft

Difficulty:

Boden Canyon

Distance: 6.5 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 500 ft

Difficulty:

Barker Valley

Distance: 6.5 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1000 ft

Difficulty:

San Onofre State Beach

Distance: 6.1 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 150 ft

Difficulty:

Eagle Rock

Distance: 6.4 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 980 ft

Difficulty:

West Mesa Loop

Distance: 6.8 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1300 ft

Difficulty:

Lawson and Gaskill Peaks

Distance: 6.75 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2000 ft

Difficulty:

Sunset Trail

Distance: 7 mi

Time: 3.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 850 ft

Difficulty:

Bernardo Mountain

Distance: 7.2 mi

Time: 3.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1000 ft

Difficulty:

San Elijo Lagoon

Distance: 7 mi

Time: 3.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 300 ft

Difficulty:

Sandstone Canyon

Distance: 7 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 800 ft

Difficulty:

Corte Madera Mountain

Distance: 7 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1700 ft

Difficulty:

The Domelands

Distance: 7 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1200 ft

Difficulty:

Granite Mountain

Distance: 7 mi

Time: 8 hrs

Elevation Gain: 3400 ft

Difficulty:

San Ysidro Mountain

Distance: 7.8 mi

Time: 9 hrs

Elevation Gain: 4560 ft

Difficulty:

Mount Gower

Distance: 8.2 mi

Time: 4 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1700 ft

Difficulty:

Agua Caliente Creek

Distance: 8.4 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1100 ft

Difficulty:

Palomar Mountain State Park

Distance: 8.8 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1250 ft

Difficulty:

Morena Butte

Distance: 8 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1500 ft

Difficulty:

Diablo Peak via June Wash

Distance: 8.2 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1250 ft

Difficulty:

Indianhead Mountain

Distance: 8.3 mi

Time: 8 hrs

Elevation Gain: 3200 ft

Difficulty:

Hot Springs Mountain

Distance: 9.9 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2500 ft

Difficulty:

Daley Ranch

Distance: 9.7 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1800 ft

Difficulty:

Noble Canyon Trail

Distance: 10.4 mi

Time: 6 hrs

Elevation Gain: 900 ft

Difficulty:

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

Distance: 10.2 mi

Time: 6 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2200 ft

Difficulty:

El Cajon Mountain

Distance: 11 mi

Time: 7 hrs

Elevation Gain: 4000 ft

Difficulty:

High Point from Oak Grove

Distance: 13 mi

Time: 7 hrs

Elevation Gain: 3500 ft

Difficulty:

Black Mountain in Ramona

Distance: 14.2 mi

Time: 7 hrs

Elevation Gain: 3200 ft

Difficulty:

Secret Canyon Trail

Distance: 15.6 mi

Time: 9 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1500 ft

Difficulty:

Otay Mountain

Distance: 15.4 mi

Time: 9 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2600 ft

Difficulty:

Eagle Crag via Cutca Valley

Distance: 17.3 mi

Time: 9 hrs

Elevation Gain: 3800 ft

Difficulty:

Rabbit Peak via Villager Peak

Distance: 22.7 mi

Time: 18 hrs

Elevation Gain: 8300 ft

Difficulty:

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