San Gabriel Hiking Day Trips

Five Fun Hiking Trails - from Flat and Wide to Steep and Breathtaking

There are many things to do in or near the wonderful San Gabriel mountains. Pretty much whatever your outdoor recreational preference, it can be satisfied. There are over 500 miles of hiking trails, and more are added every year. If you count the trails for horseback riding, not specifically marked for foot hiking, there may be almost 1,000 miles of possible hiking trails.

Unfortunately there are so many people that want to use the parks facilities that as each year goes by - finding relatively "untouched" or rarely visited areas is very difficult. So in this article we give you our favorite San Gabriel day trips that venture into the wilderness areas; but not too far. We have found these trails, for the most part, not as traveled as other and perhaps better known trail trips.

We like to go to the Glendora city Ranger office before we choose the outing we will go on for that day. It is possible to call them at 626-335-1251 to get info but they prefer you stop by. For any trails that head into the wilderness you need to register before heading into the wilderness, either at the Ranger station or the trailheads (self registration) it seems you get better info if you start out from the ranger station. So usually from that point we have about ten hikes or trails of varying length to choose from.Here are our five favorite.

Duarte Recreational Trail - If you are just wanting a really good power walk or like to job some where besides in the gym or on a treadmill you will like this trail. IT is just over 3.2 miles long because you run out and back along the 1.6 mile old railway path. The old electric train is not there any more and it's a great running trail now. This one is sort of out in the country and next to the city at the same time. Since it does not go into the wilderness area no registration is needed.