8 trails match your filters.
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
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
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
Grey Pine Trail
HardSanta 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
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
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
Reservoir Canyon Trail
HardReservoir 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
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