Hiking

8 trails match your filters.

• Falcon via Blinn Ranch Loop

  Strenuous

  Santa Margarita Lake Recreation Area · Blinn Ranch backcountry access, Santa Margarita

  15.4 mi2,424 ft gainLoopBest: Oct–Apr

  Hikers say

  …it's a strenuous backcountry loop combining the exposed Blinn Ranch fire road with the Falcon Trail, with great lake views in the interior — more demanding than the standalone Blinn or Grey Pine routes and less frequently recommended as a first-time Santa Margarita hike.

  Remote lakeshore, solitude, true backcountry experience.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Allowed

  Parking

  Remote trailhead; verify conditions before going

  Hazards

  Long exposed route; avoid summer heat

  Get directions →

• Hazard Peak via Bloody Nose / Hiedra Trail

  Strenuous

  Montaña de Oro State Park · MDO N entrance, Pecho Valley Rd, Los Osos

  6 mi1,200 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Mar–Jun, Oct–Nov

  Hikers say

  …this alternative approach weaves through a eucalyptus grove on Bloody Nose Trail before joining Hiedra Trail for outstanding views of Morro Rock and Hazard Canyon well before the summit — a worthwhile route variation that adds scenery and loop options compared to the direct Hazard Peak Trail.

  1,076-ft coastal summit, Morro Bay panorama, dune ecology.

  Dogs

  Not allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Free lot near Hazard Canyon Rd

  Hazards

  Exposed ridge; rattlesnakes; poison oak; trail erodes after rain

  summitcoastal

  Get directions →Source

• Morning Glory Botanical and Shooters Loop

  Strenuous

  West Cuesta Ridge · TV Tower Road parking area, off Hwy 1 N of SLO

  9.5 mi2,020 ft gainLoopBest: May–Jun, Sep–Oct

  Hikers say

  …this rocky singletrack descent from the TV tower road is one of the best trails on West Cuesta Ridge — chunky and technical with creek crossings, an always-stay-left navigation rule, and a grueling climb back up Shooters that rewards with ridge views of eight of the Nine Sisters.

  Toughest near-town ridge loop, varied singletrack, wildflowers.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Informal ridge parking off TV Tower Rd

  Hazards

  Remote; rough tread; fire season closures

  Get directions →

• Oats Peak Trail (Full Route)

  Strenuous

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

  10.8 mi1,325 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Mar–Jun, Oct–Nov

  Hikers say

  …the extended full route is a remote, quiet experience compared to Valencia Peak, with the best views oriented inland over the park's canyons and the Irish Hills rather than oceanward — slippery near the rocky summit regardless of trail shoes.

  Second highest MDO summit (1,373 ft), Irish Hills panorama, Morro Rock views.

  Dogs

  Not allowed

  Bikes

  Allowed

  Parking

  Islay Creek CG day-use lot; $10 fee

  Hazards

  High bike traffic; poison oak; remote; long mileage

  summithidden gem

  Get directions →Source

• Point Buchon Trail

  Strenuous

  Diablo Canyon / PG&E · MDO S boundary, Pecho Valley Rd, Los Osos

  6.8 mi600 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Mar–Oct

  Hikers say

  …it's one of Central California's most beautiful and uncrowded coastal hikes — 8 miles round-trip, almost entirely flat, on PG&E land requiring a signed waiver at the gate — with a collapsed sea cave sinkhole, cattle and coyotes on the bluffs, and near-total absence of other hikers as defining qualities.

  Remote coastal cliffs, sea caves, elephant seals, tidepools, condor sightings.

  Dogs

  Not allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  PG&E permit required; departs from MDO lot

  Hazards

  Advance PG&E permit required; steep coastal cliffs; rattlesnakes

  coastalhidden gem

  Get directions →Source

• Poly Canyon / Cuesta Ridge Road Loop

  Strenuous

  Poly Canyon / West Cuesta · Poly Canyon Rd gate, Cal Poly, SLO

  9 mi1,800 ft gainLoopBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …Poly Canyon Road is deceptively easy for the first 1.5 miles past the Architecture Graveyard before hitting three steep pitches to the ridgeline — mud after rain makes the road terrible, and the upper section tops out just below the railroad tracks with limited but genuine views of SLO and Morro Bay.

  Cal Poly canyons, Cuesta Ridge panorama, Santa Lucia views.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Allowed

  Parking

  Cal Poly Lot P (fee weekdays)

  Hazards

  Long exposed ridge; limited water; rattlesnakes

  Get directions →Source

• Turkey Ridge Trail

  Strenuous

  Lopez Lake Recreation Area · Lopez Lake, Arroyo Grande

  5.5 mi1,100 ft gainLoopBest: Oct–May

  Hikers say

  …the technical switchbacks and classic Lopez Lake singletrack style make the full loop 13 miles of pure variety — one of the more serious hiking challenges available in the SLO county lake system.

  Ridge panorama, lake views, chaparral, wildlife watching.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Not allowed

  Parking

  Lopez Lake day-use lot; $10 county fee

  Hazards

  Steep sustained climbs; rattlesnakes; hot and exposed in summer

  Get directions →

• West Cuesta Ridge Trail

  Strenuous

  Los Padres National Forest · TV Tower Rd gate, off Hwy 1 N of SLO

  6 mi1,400 ft gainOut-and-backBest: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov

  Hikers say

  …panoramic views of all eight of the Nine Sisters appear within the first half-mile, with Sargent cypress in the botanical area at 3 miles being the surprise highlight — strong winds on the exposed ridge are a consistent complaint, but it's the best vantage point for the full Morros chain accessible near SLO.

  Sargent cypress botanical area, panoramic SLO views, rare serpentine flora.

  Dogs

  Allowed

  Bikes

  Allowed

  Parking

  Pullout at TV Tower Rd gate; free; limited space

  Hazards

  Remote; minimal shade; fire road closures possible; rattlesnakes

  hidden gem

  Get directions →Source