Hikes in Orange County

Flanked by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Santa Ana Mountains to the east, hiking in Orange County can be a varied experience. The heavily populated county is home to several satisfying parks that break up the city sprawl of over three million residents. If you want to get outdoors in Orange County, Disneyland is not your only option! Highlights of Orange County [wp_ad_wide_page] Hiking Orange County Orange County's most rugged trails can be found in the Santa Ana Mountains, which run along the border between Orange County and Riverside County. ... Read more.
Latest reports in Southern California (page 2)
Southern California

Weir Canyon Trail in Weir Canyon Wilderness Park in Santiago Oaks Regional Park

Orange | Trails
Trail Rating:
Weir Canyon Trail in Weir Canyon Wilderness Park in Santiago Oaks Regional Park
Where can you go for a loop hike in a wilderness area in Orange County? Why, Weir Canyon of course. Weir Canyon Trail provides a 3.8-mile loop over undulating terrain on the side of Weir Canyon in the Anaheim Hills below the Santa Ana Mountains. There is 350 feet of elevation between the high and low points of the loop, but all the ups and downs along the trail make it feel more like a hike with a thousand feet of elevation gain. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Anaheim · Free Trails · Orange County Parks · Santiago Oaks Regional Park · Weir Canyon Wilderness Park
Distance: 3.8 miles · Elevation change: 350 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: November 4, 2013 Last updated: April 9, 2026
Southern California

West Bluff Trail Loop
in Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Orange | Trails
Trail Rating:
West Bluff Trail Loop in Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
Newport Bay is a vital stopover for birds migrating across Southern California. Hikers can explore the estuary too, on trails in Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, a 142-acre coastal habitat managed by the Orange County Parks Department. The preserve's West Bluff has a few trails (some open to equestrians and bikers) that provide easy hikes of a mile or more, including the 2. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Free Trails · Newport Bay · Newport Beach · Orange County Parks · Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
Distance: 2.5 miles · Elevation change: 75 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: September 26, 2013 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Southern California

El Cariso Campground
in the Santa Ana Mountains

Campgrounds | Riverside
El Cariso Campground in the Santa Ana Mountains
El Cariso Campground is a 24-site campground in the Santa Ana Mountains near the intersection of Ortega Highway (Route 74) and Main Divide Road on the border between Orange County and Riverside County. At 2,600 feet above sea level, the campground straddles a scenic mountain pass and can be reached easily from Lake Elsinore to the east or San Juan Capistrano to the west. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Cleveland National Forest · Santa Ana Mountains · Tent Camping · Trabuco Ranger District
By: Seth Smigelski Published: August 2, 2013 Last updated: April 9, 2026
Southern California

El Cariso Nature Trail
in the Santa Ana Mountains

Riverside | Trails
Trail Rating:
El Cariso Nature Trail in the Santa Ana Mountains
El Cariso Nature Trail is a self-guided hike in the Santa Ana Mountains, beautifully situated on the range's main divide straddling the border of Orange and Riverside counties. The 1.35-mile loop is lined with small panels that identify and describe the area's plants. Starting just off Ortega Highway, at 2,600 feet above sea level, the short loop presents excellent views across the range. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Cleveland National Forest · Free Trails · Lake Elsinore · Nature Trails · Santa Ana Mountains · Trabuco Ranger District
Distance: 1.35 miles · Elevation change: 125 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: August 2, 2013 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Southern California

San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain Trail
in the San Jacinto Mountains

Riverside | Trails
Trail Rating:
San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain Trail in the San Jacinto Mountains
San Jacinto Peak is one of the true crowns of Southern California and is a crowning achievement for any hiker who reaches the summit. San Jacinto Peak is the second highest mountain in Southern California and the pinnacle of the San Jacinto Mountain Range at 10,834 feet above sea level. Hikers who spar with San Jacinto Peak should be prepared for an all day challenge. ...Read more.
Tagged with · California State Parks · Free Trails · Idyllwild · Mount San Jacinto State Park · Pacific Crest Trail · San Bernardino National Forest · San Jacinto Mountains · San Jacinto Ranger District · San Jacinto Wilderness · Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument · Summits
Distance: 13.2 miles · Elevation change: 4500 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: July 8, 2013 Last updated: April 10, 2026
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