Hiking

11 trails match your filters.

• Bishop Peak Summit via Patricia Drive

  Hard

  Bishop Peak Natural Reserve · Patricia Drive trailhead, SLO

  4 mi1,180 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …the lower half winds through beautiful oak woodland and the upper two-thirds are steadily sun-exposed, with light scrambling over large boulders to reach the summit bench — parking fills fast on weekends, arrive early.

  Highest Nine Sisters summit, best all-around panorama above SLO.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Small Patricia lot; fills early on weekends

  Hazards

  Poison oak; rocky summit scramble; crowded weekends

  local favoritesummit

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• Bishop Peak Trail (Highland Drive)

  Hard

  Bishop Peak Natural Reserve · 1 Highland Dr, SLO

  3.5 mi950 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …the Highland Drive trailhead is shorter but steeper from the outset — some hikers have been seen on hands and knees on the initial pitch — while the cattle pond junction offers shade before the rocky, sun-exposed upper switchbacks to the 1,559-foot summit.

  Nine Sisters summit (1,559 ft), 360° panorama, boulder scramble, wildflowers.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Very limited cul-de-sac; prefer Patricia Dr trailhead

  Hazards

  Poison oak; exposed rocky upper section; rattlesnakes

  local favoritesummit

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• Cerro Cabrillo via Quarry Trail

  Hard

  Morro Bay State Park · Quarry Trailhead, Morro Bay SP, off Hwy 1

  2.5 mi600 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …the maintained Quarry Trail becomes unmaintained and requires scrambling for the last 500 feet to the tiki-rock summit, with loose footing and poison oak in the boulder sections — but 360-degree views of Morro Rock, Montana de Oro, and the Santa Lucia Mountains are widely called worth the effort.

  Nine Sisters summit (911 ft), ocean panorama, Morro Bay harbor, Tiki Rock.

  Dogs

  Not allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Day-use lot at Quarry Trailhead; $8 fee

  Hazards

  Rocky steep final push; no shade; rattlesnakes

  summit

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• Cerro San Luis Summit

  Hard

  Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve · Marsh Street trailhead, SLO

  4 mi1,000 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …the full 4-mile round-trip with 1,100 feet of gain from Marsh Street is the benchmark moderate summit in SLO — steeper than it looks, with ocean views on clear days from the top, and the trail reads as easy on some apps but genuinely earns a moderate-to-strenuous rating for the upper half.

  360° views, easy downtown access, the classic Madonna Mountain summit.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Small dirt lot at Marsh St

  Hazards

  Poison oak; exposed upper sections

  local favoritesummit

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• Grey Pine Trail

  Hard

  Santa Margarita Lake Recreation Area · Grey Pine access area, Santa Margarita

  6.6 mi1,325 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Jan–Jun

  Hikers say

  …multiple lake viewpoints appear throughout this 6.4-mile round-trip, there are very few other hikers on trail, and the trail becomes confusing near the lake's edge — most recommend a turnaround before the endpoint for a cleaner experience.

  Oak shade, sandstone outcrops, Eagle View over the lake.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Day-use fee area / trailhead parking

  Hazards

  Hot summers; rattlesnakes

  hidden gem

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• Oats Peak Trail

  Hard

  Montaña de Oro State Park · Islay Creek CG, Pecho Valley Rd, Los Osos

  10.8 mi1,325 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …the new route is very gradual and mountain-bike-oriented with switchbacks that feel slow for hikers — panoramic views over the Irish Hills and inland canyons rather than the ocean-facing drama of Valencia Peak, with low foot traffic.

  Big-sky backcountry, fewer people than Valencia, remote feel.

  Dogs

  Not allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Backcountry trailhead; carry map and water

  Hazards

  Remote; long mileage; poison oak

  hidden gem

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• Poly Canyon Loop Trail

  Hard

  Cal Poly / Peterson Ranch · Poly Canyon Road gate, Village Drive, SLO

  6.3 mi1,062 ft gainLoopBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …it's a solid 4 to 6 mile loop through cattle-gated ranchland with two old wooden truss bridges and panoramic views of SLO and Morro Bay from the upper ridge — gorgeous and green in spring, with the Architecture Graveyard as an optional detour en route.

  Architecture Graveyard, ranch scenery, hill views, Cal Poly backcountry.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Allowed

  Parking

  Village Drive access; weekends easiest

  Hazards

  Rattlesnakes

  local favorite

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• Reservoir Canyon Loop

  Hard

  Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve · Reservoir Canyon Rd off Hwy 101 N, SLO

  5.3 mi1,380 ft gainLoopBest: Feb–May

  Hikers say

  …the first half is a shaded creekside walk past a 15-to-20-foot seasonal waterfall under oaks and sycamores, and the second half is steep, rocky, and straight up for nearly 1,200 feet total — often listed as moderate but consistently experienced as strenuous by those who don't expect the final pitch.

  Seasonal waterfall, summit views, most varied climb near town.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Limited road-end trailhead parking

  Hazards

  Rocky grades; creek crossings; slippery near falls

  Get directions →Source

• Reservoir Canyon Trail

  Hard

  Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve · Reservoir Canyon Rd off Hwy 101 N, SLO

  5.35 mi1,350 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Feb–May, Oct–Nov

  Hikers say

  …this out-and-back follows the creek and waterfall section in the shaded lower canyon — popular with families who turn around before the brutal upper ridge, with poison oak a consistent warning at the trailhead end.

  15-ft waterfall, ocean and Santa Lucia summit views, scrap metal sculpture camp.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Free small lot at end of Reservoir Canyon Rd

  Hazards

  Steep final mile; Giardia risk in creek; rattlesnakes

  hidden gem

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• Stenner Creek Trail to The Eucs

  Hard

  Cal Poly / Stenner Creek · Poly Canyon Rd, Cal Poly

  3.7 mi700 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …it's a 3.7-mile round-trip through grassland and oak creek canyon to a eucalyptus grove converted into a freeride bike course, passing a small waterfall mid-route — primarily a mountain bike destination, so expect yield situations with riders on both the ascent and descent.

  Shaded creek canyon, small waterfall, eucalyptus grove, Bishop Peak views.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Allowed

  Parking

  Cal Poly Lot P or Poly Canyon Rd shoulder

  Hazards

  Creek impassable in high rain; poison oak; slippery near waterfall

  Get directions →Source

• Valencia Peak Trail

  Hard

  Montaña de Oro State Park · Valencia Peak TH, Pecho Valley Rd, Los Osos

  4.5 mi1,100 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Mar–Jun, Oct–Dec

  Hikers say

  …it's 4.5 miles and almost fully exposed with no shade, but the 360-degree view from the pyramid-shaped 1,275-foot summit — ocean south to Point Buchon, Morro Rock to the north, green hills in all directions in spring — is one of the best in SLO County.

  1,347-ft summit, 360° ocean panorama, Morro Rock view, wildflowers.

  Dogs

  Not allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Free lot at Valencia Peak TH

  Hazards

  Exposed ridge — dangerous in high winds; rattlesnakes; poison oak

  summitcoastal

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