Bell Bluff is one of several prominent peaks located around the town of Alpine, Ca. The trail leading to Bell Bluff starts in a quiet neighborhood where it crosses the Sweetwater River before leading you up and out of the canyon. The hike to Bell Bluff is relatively easy and the trail is well-traveled …
San Diego Hiking Trails
Bernardo Mountain
Overlooking Lake Hodges and located along the Coast to Crest Trail in San Dieguito River Park is Bernardo Mountain. The vast number of wandering trails that wind their way around the lake and over the surrounding hillsides make the park a popular destination for hikers, trail runners, mountain bik…
Black Mountain
Black Mountain, located in the heart of Black Mountain Open Space Park, is home to one of the most inspiring observation points in Central San Diego. The Miner’s Ridge Loop Trail takes hikers along a winding path that gradually ascends to the 1554 foot summit of Black Mountain Peak. If it’s a quick, ea…
Cowles Mountain South Trail
If you’re looking for a quick, challenging hike in San Diego that is easy to find and offers unobscured views of San Diego for as far as the eye can see, look no further than Cowles Mountain. But be ready because lots of other people are looking for the same thing.
The hike is short and kid friendly. Dogs a…
Cuyamaca Peak
Standing at 6512 feet, Cuyamaca Peak holds the top spot on the Sierra Club’s 100 Peaks of San Diego County list, and is officially the second highest point in the county. During the winter, Cuyamaca is one of the few places in San Diego that’s almost guaranteed to get snow. The hike along…
Eagle Peak Hike
Eagle Peak overlooks Cedar Creek to the north and Sheep Camp Creek to the south, which feeds Three Sisters Falls near Julian, Ca. This beautiful 4.2 mile out and back hike takes you along the southern edge of the mountain to the 3226′ summit. Once you reach the summit, you will be rewarded with 3…
El Cajon Mountain
Frequently described as being, “the toughest hiking trail in San Diego,” El Cajon Mountain hiking trail is well-known for its relentless elevation changes and remarkable 360 degree views from the summit. Also known as “El Capitan” or simply “El Cap,” El Cajon Mountain is a beast of a hike that cha…
Garnet Peak Trail
Garnet Peak is located just off the Pacific Coast Trail on the northeastern edge of the Laguna Mountains. At 5900’ in elevation, it sits at number seven on the Sierra Club’s list of the 100 highest peaks in San Diego County.
Garnet Peak Trail trail info.
- Distance: 2.4 miles (round trip)
- Hiking time: 1.
Gaskill Peak
With a peak elevation of 3836 feet, Gaskill Peak stands nearly 200 feet taller than its little sister 1.5 miles to the south, Lawson Peak. Gaskill Peak can be hiked by itself or included as an add-on adventure when hiking to Lawson Peak.
Gaskill Peak trail info.
- Distance: 7.1 miles (round trip)
- Hikin
Grapevine Mountain Hike
Grapevine Mountain is a prominent mountain located in northeastern San Diego County about 12 miles east of Julian in the Anza Borrego Desert.
The hike from the trailhead takes you along a cactus-strewn section of the PCT. Making the summit will require a little route-finding skill and a lot of off tr…