Hiking

22 trails match your filters.

• Architecture Graveyard Hike

  Moderate

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

  2.2 mi278 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Sep–Jun

  Hikers say

  …it's a quirky 3-mile round-trip up a gravel canyon road to deteriorating student-built experimental structures from 1963 to 2009 — wild horses occasionally appear on trail and a rope swing at the far end is a surprising bonus.

  Student-built experimental structures and installations.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Weekends easiest near Village Drive

  Hazards

  local favorite

  Get directions →Source

• Black Hill Trail

  Moderate

  Morro Bay State Park · State Park Rd near campground, Morro Bay

  4 mi600 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Year-round

  Hikers say

  …it's a short, well-marked 2-mile steady climb to 360-degree views of Morro Rock, the estuary, and the ocean in about 20 minutes up — watch for poison oak on trail edges and note that fog can roll in fast and obscure the summit view.

  Nine Sisters summit, Morro Bay harbor views, ocean panorama.

  Dogs

  Not allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  MBSP campground or Museum lot; $8 day-use

  Hazards

  Exposed summit; no shade on upper trail; rattlesnakes

  summit

  Get directions →Source

• Blinn Ranch Trail

  Moderate

  Santa Margarita Lake Regional Park · Santa Margarita Lake Rd, Santa Margarita

  7.5 mi900 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …it's an 8-mile, mostly exposed fire road looping around half of Santa Margarita Lake with 973 feet of gain — bring significantly more water than expected given the total lack of shade.

  Reservoir views, oak woodland, wildflowers, birding.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Allowed

  Parking

  Day-use lot; $8 fee

  Hazards

  OHV use on some segments; rattlesnakes; periodic closures for fire or drought

  Get directions →Source

• Bog Thistle Trail

  Moderate

  Irish Hills Natural Reserve · Prefumo Canyon Rd, SLO

  3.3 mi500 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …this hiker-only singletrack was extended in 2023 and climbs steeply through oak canopy from the Prefumo Canyon trailhead to sweeping views of Laguna Lake, Los Osos Valley, and the Morros, with the rare bog thistle plant visible near the top.

  Hiker-only singletrack, oak canopy, chaparral, lighter bike traffic.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Prefumo Canyon dirt lot

  Hazards

  Poison oak

  Get directions →Source

• Cerro San Luis / Madonna Mountain

  Moderate

  Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve · Fernandez Rd end, SLO

  4 mi900 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …the sections are steep and the payoff is great — views of Laguna Lake, Bishop Peak, and on clear days Pismo Beach and Morro Bay from the summit — go early morning for cooler temps, and note that a mountain lion was spotted on the M Trail as recently as 2022.

  Nine Sisters summit, 360° panorama, Easter cross, wildflowers.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Allowed

  Parking

  Small free lot at Fernandez Rd; street parking

  Hazards

  Poison oak; rocky scramble near summit; exposed in heat

  local favoritesummit

  Get directions →Source

• Coon Creek Trail

  Moderate

  Montaña de Oro State Park · Coon Creek trailhead, Pecho Valley Rd

  5 mi250 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Spring and cool fall

  Hikers say

  …this narrow, riparian 5-mile round-trip passes through dense willows and crosses six wooden footbridges — wear long pants for ticks, watch for poison oak near the cypress grove endpoint, and expect abundant butterflies and wildflowers in spring.

  Cypress grove, old homestead, lighter traffic than Bluff or Valencia.

  Dogs

  Not allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Coon Creek lot at south end of park

  Hazards

  Poison oak

  hidden gem

  Get directions →Source

• Crespi Trail

  Moderate

  Morro Bay State Park · South Bay Blvd side access, Morro Bay

  3 mi200 ft gainLoopBest: Year-round

  Hikers say

  …it's a smooth, flat path meandering through wetlands and sand dunes with direct views of Morro Rock and little foot traffic — a serene, accessible route that most Morro Bay visitors overlook entirely.

  Birding, estuary scenery, no summit push.

  Dogs

  Not allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Roadside/day-use pullouts

  Hazards

  birding

  Get directions →Source

• Duna Vista Loop

  Moderate

  Lopez Lake Recreation Area · Lopez Dr, Lopez Lake, Arroyo Grande

  3.5 mi400 ft gainLoopBest: Year-round

  Hikers say

  …it's a 4.3-mile rolling loop with great lake vistas, moss-draped oak canopy for shade, and wildlife including deer and the occasional bear reported in the area — a mixed-use trail popular with horseback riders and bikers.

  Lopez Lake panorama, rolling oak savanna, wildlife watching.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Allowed

  Parking

  Lopez Lake day-use lot; $10 county fee

  Hazards

  Rattlesnakes; hot in summer; OHV use on fire roads

  Get directions →Source

• Felsman Loop — Bishop Peak

  Moderate

  Bishop Peak Natural Reserve · Patricia Dr trailhead, SLO

  2.7 mi480 ft gainLoopBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …this singletrack loop on Bishop Peak's lower ridges is ideal for beginners and trail runners who want views of the Morros without the rocky summit scramble — beautiful, quiet, and isolated, with oak groves and grassland replacing the exposed upper mountain.

  Bishop Peak views, oak and sagebrush corridor, Morro Bay view.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Roadside on Patricia Dr; limited

  Hazards

  Poison oak; rattlesnakes; crowded trailhead

  Get directions →Source

• Froom Creek Trail

  Moderate

  Irish Hills Natural Reserve · Prefumo Canyon Rd, SLO

  3 mi500 ft gainLoopBest: Feb–Jun, Oct–Dec

  Hikers say

  …this rocky, exposed trail gets busy with hikers, bikers, and runners, with waterfalls visible after rain and persistent ticks — check carefully at the trailhead, and it connects to the broader Irish Hills network for routes up to 8 to 10 miles.

  Creek riparian habitat, Laguna Lake overlook, Bishop Peak and Cerro San Luis views.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Allowed

  Parking

  Small lot at Prefumo Canyon Rd; ~5 cars

  Hazards

  Creek impassable after heavy rain; poison oak

  Get directions →

• Hi Mountain Trail Loop

  Moderate

  Los Padres NF / Lopez Lake · Hi Mountain Rd off Lopez Dr

  3.25 mi575 ft gainLoopBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …it's an epic challenge in the backcountry above Arroyo Grande with limited foot traffic compared to SLO city trails — suitable for experienced hikers seeking solitude and mountain views well away from the crowded coastal reserves.

  Santa Lucia riparian canyon, California condor sightings, oak woodland.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Unpaved Hi Mountain Rd; high clearance helpful; free

  Hazards

  Gate may close in wet season; remote location

  hidden gem

  Get directions →Source

• Irish Hills — Morro View Trail

  Moderate

  Irish Hills Natural Reserve · Prefumo Canyon Rd, SLO

  3.15 mi850 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …crowds are smaller than the Morros peaks but the views are equally dramatic — the old sealed mercury mine shaft visible at Morro View is a surprising landmark, and spring brings poppy and ceanothus blooms covering the exposed slopes.

  Morro Rock view, Nine Sisters panorama, chaparral wildflowers.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Allowed

  Parking

  Small lot at Prefumo Canyon Rd; very limited

  Hazards

  Trail erodes in heavy rain; poison oak

  hidden gem

  Get directions →Source

• Islay Hill

  Moderate

  Islay Hill Open Space · 1364 Sweet Bay Ln, SLO

  1.8 mi550 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …it's a short, steep 1.8-mile round-trip culminating at a quirky iron-pegged climbing pole at the summit with a 360-degree view of Edna Valley vineyards, the airport, downtown SLO, and the Santa Lucia Mountains — GPS directions are notoriously unreliable, use the Sweet Bay Lane trailhead.

  Easternmost Nine Sisters summit, Edna Valley vineyard views.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Residential cul-de-sac; street parking; limited

  Hazards

  Steep near summit; park considerately

  summit

  Get directions →Source

• Johnson Ranch Open Space Loop

  Moderate

  Johnson Ranch Open Space · Ontario Rd / Higuera St, SLO

  2.5 mi380 ft gainLoopBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …the full 3.7-mile figure-8 loop has almost no shade and sits close to the 101 freeway, audible throughout the northern section — but spring wildflowers on the rolling serpentine-rock grasslands and a heron rookery overlook make it a worthwhile local outing.

  Rolling grasslands, Edna Valley views, wildlife corridor, oak woodland.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Allowed

  Parking

  Free lot on Ontario Rd; shared with Bob Jones Trail

  Hazards

  Muddy in wet season; rattlesnakes spring–summer

  family-friendly

  Get directions →Source

• Johnson Ranch Yellow Loop

  Moderate

  Johnson Ranch Open Space · End of South Higuera St, SLO

  2.6 mi400 ft gainLoopBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …it's the shorter 2.3-mile option within Johnson Ranch Open Space — gentler, equally exposed rolling hills with wildflowers, shared with mountain bikers, and good for beginners or those who want the pastoral scenery without the full loop's distance.

  Steeper and more open than Orange Loop.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Allowed

  Parking

  Dedicated trailhead lot

  Hazards

  Rattlesnakes spring–summer

  Get directions →Source

• Lemon Grove Loop

  Moderate

  Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve · Lower Cerro San Luis, Patricia Dr area

  2.2 mi350 ft gainLoopBest: Feb–May

  Hikers say

  …it's a pleasant lower-mountain alternative to the Cerro San Luis summit — half the route under eucalyptus and oak canopy, with open views over downtown SLO and Edna Valley, and the revived abandoned lemon grove as a quiet surprise midway.

  Historic citrus grove remnants, wildflowers, oaks, city views.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Street parking on Patricia Dr area

  Hazards

  Poison oak; trail can be indistinct

  hidden gem

  Get directions →Source

• M Trail — Cerro San Luis

  Moderate

  Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve · S side Cerro San Luis via Hwy 1 connector

  1.9 mi300 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Year-round

  Hikers say

  …this short, steep singletrack climbs directly to the white M painted on the mountainside representing Mission Prep School — the most recognizable landmark hike in SLO, with city and ocean views, though mountain lion sightings near the M have prompted temporary trail closures.

  Large white M landmark, Edna Valley views, Nine Sisters perspective.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Limited street parking near Madonna Rd / Hwy 1

  Hazards

  Poison oak; faint trail markers in places

  local favorite

  Get directions →

• Ontario Ridge to Shell Beach Bluff Loop

  Moderate

  Ontario Ridge / Shell Beach · Cave Landing Road, Shell Beach

  2.9 mi741 ft gainLoopBest: Year-round

  Hikers say

  …starting counter-clockwise from Cave Landing makes the brutal steep section a descent rather than an opener — the paved Bluff Trail along the cliff above Pirates Cove is endlessly scenic, and the ocean and Avila views from the ridge crown are the route's defining payoff.

  Clifftop bluffs, broad ocean views, best coast-and-climb combo south of SLO.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Cave Landing / Shell Beach street parking

  Hazards

  local favoritecoastal

  Get directions →Source

• Poly Canyon Design Village Trail

  Moderate

  Cal Poly / Poly Canyon · 1 Grand Ave, Cal Poly, SLO

  2.5 mi400 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Sep–Jun

  Hikers say

  …the trail up the gravel canyon road passes through cattle gates with cows, the Architecture Graveyard is the primary draw about 1 mile up, the Serenity Swing sits another 2 miles beyond on a steep ridge with expansive SLO views, and weekday hikers must pay $5 to $10 to park on campus.

  Experimental student architecture, shaded creek, native oak woodland.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Cal Poly Lot P (fee weekdays); free weekends

  Hazards

  Trailhead access through Cal Poly campus

  local favorite

  Get directions →Source

• Prefumo Canyon Vista Point Trail

  Moderate

  Irish Hills Natural Reserve · Prefumo Canyon Rd, SLO

  3.6 mi839 ft gainLoopBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …this becomes very rocky and water-rutted on the lower section with trail rerouting ongoing, but sweeping viewpoints of the Morros and Los Osos Valley are the destination reward.

  Broad Morro, ocean, and valley views; less crowded than the main peaks.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Allowed

  Parking

  Dirt pullout lot on Prefumo Canyon Road

  Hazards

  Poison oak

  hidden gem

  Get directions →Source

• Righetti Hill Summit Trail

  Moderate

  Righetti Hill Open Space · Hillside Dr / Twin Creek Rd, SLO

  1.3 mi321 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Year-round

  Hikers say

  …it's a short 1-mile out-and-back on a narrow hiker-only singletrack to a hilltop with views of the Santa Lucia range and rolling ranch land south of SLO — a newer, less-visited open space that locals appreciate for solitude and quick access from Hillside Drive.

  Fast south-SLO viewpoint, excellent sunset destination.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Small trailhead lot

  Hazards

  hidden gem

  Get directions →Source

• Sandstone Trail

  Moderate

  Santa Margarita Lake Regional Park · Santa Margarita Lake Rd, Santa Margarita

  4 mi450 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …it traverses oak-covered hillsides along the south side of the lake, popular with both hikers and equestrians, and is a scenic moderate option for those who want lake views without the full commitment of the Grey Pine or Blinn Ranch routes.

  Sandstone outcrops, lake views, wildflowers.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Allowed

  Parking

  Day-use lot; $8 fee

  Hazards

  Trail floods near lake in wet season; rattlesnakes

  Get directions →Source