Had a good time hiking at this spot. Nice trail located right off of Cannon street. Great place to exercise outside in an urban setting. Several paths to walk through so the hike can vary in length. It's relatively steep to get to the top, but not more than a few hundred meters. Once on top it's pretty flat and easy. Lots of cactus . Best part is you can take dogs. read more

El Modena Open Space - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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A 3.25 to a high of 3.75 star rating. Around 4 major entry points- no true parking lot - seek parking in local neighborhoods and or local school parking spaces. Pathways are thorny and filled brush and loose rocks and steep pathways lined with jagged large boulders. Made for walkers hikers and joggers. Not for quick running and pets must be on a leash. Lack of a visitor center, lack of trails benches, lack of bathrooms . The trails are moderate to hard - care must be taken- rocks are loose and can cause injuries . No trash cans - bring your junk and take your junk. Overall trail can from a rountrip can be around 3.5 miles to around 4.5 miles. Great scenic shots and lots of cactus read more

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I love hiking here by myself. It's a really nice and easy trail with some steep parts that get your heart pumping. I hike here on weekdays so it's usually pretty empty, maybe a dog walker or two. For parking, I park across the street in the neighborhood. I love admiring the different plants and listening to the sounds of birds. read more

El Modena Open Space - Cactus - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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SOOO BEAUTIFUL, lovely hike but it's mountain loin area so be vigilant!! Such an amazing view & very relaxing

Ahh yes, this is a beautiful secluded spot to take a friend or more than friends to ;) once you reach the top of the little hike you are rewarded with a marvelous breathtaking view of Orange! The terrain is very rocky so it is recommended that you would bring a blanket or some cushion for your bums. as you map yourself to the place it will have you park in a neighborhood. From there you will want to follow the road up the hill and commence your hike. There is a little fence saying do not enter don't be scared, that's not the path. The path is farther up the hill. Take it and it'll take you up a rocky hike! read more

El Modena Open Space - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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A surprisingly difficult hike, especially after rain. Very slippery post-rain so make sure you are careful and bring some hiking sticks (lots of slipping and sliding). I believe we went on a counter clockwise loop? Which was great because I think going the opposite direction would have wrecked me lol. Incline and decline all very challenging for me haha! But very cool view and pretty private (very few people out and about), highly recommend. read more

El Modena Open Space - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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Initially it's a really challenging hike to find - Apple Maps took us to an elementary school and Google maps took us to a random neighborhood - we finally found to trail and it was a great hike - it's a moderate intensity hike as there are plenty of steeper and rockier areas on our way up but to get to the top was very quick, maybe took 20-30 minutes. The view is beautiful up there are there were alot of pretty yellow flowers during wildflower season. read more

El Modena Open Space - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

Take a left on Cannon St. and go 1.3 miles. ... Like its parent park Santiago Oaks, Orange's El Modena Open Space is one of Orange County's most accessible natural areas. ... The views are impressive including the Santa Ana Mountains to the east and suburban Orange to the west. -"A short distance but a great climb. Good view. 700ft. elevation, or so my phone says. -Wear good Tenny shoes there's so much rocks, No Flat surface. -Enjoy! Getting ready for summer read more

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Amazing views!!! I used the 300 N Cannon Address and parked across the street on Stillwater. If you hike up from this entrance, it's a really short hike to the top where you can get a nice view & pics (I would say barely 20 min if you go straight up). The hill is a little steep and I had to take my time on the way down. I turned around once I got to the top since I was short on time but you can continue across a longer trail once you get there, but even if you just do the short trail to get to the top, I would say it's worth it! read more

El Modena Open Space - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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This is a review for the Orange Hills trail. I took this moderate rated trail by parking across the street at Stillwater (highly recommend) and going across the street to the trailhead. Most people seem to go from south to north on this loop, of which half is dirt and the other half is walking down a sidewalk off the hill. What you will see from the south to the north is a very steep initial climb to a top part with cactus of all sorts, and a great sunset view. This initial climb may be steep and require a slower pace. From there you can fork left to the main trail and up a ridge that will take you towards the left side and away from the main road. Go up that part until you reach another summit to the left hill(s) and get another fantastic view. That is about the apex, until you start winding down a a zig zag pattern that is very steep. As always, please wear proper hiking shoes for trails like this and be mindful of wildlife in this space. There is plenty to enjoy but only if you can handle the rocky terrain, bring water and take it at a pace that is comfortable for you and your friends. I hope you enjoy the good workout! read more

Another little hidden gem I never knew was here. There is no official trial parking lot so after some research, use 300 N Cannon St. for an address and then park right across the street on Stillwater. I believe there is another spot off Canon & Patricia Rd. Tip-have good grip on the bottom of your shoes. The trail does go up & down dirt path so it can be slippery on the gravel. Trail is pretty easy to follow. We were stumped a little but we just asked other hikers if we saw them. Very pretty view from up top! Wow, take a moment to look around. I tend to just keep going. The flowers/weeds are in bloom right now but makes a pretty picture. :) We really enjoyed this short 2mile hike. We also did see a coyote on our way back at the entrance which threw us off since we weren't sure what to do. Only 1 way out. Luckily, we waited and another hiker walked by ;) They didn't notice anything so we figured it was safe to go, lol. Have fun. SYOY! read more

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Hike is way too short. View was mehhh... Was Kind of steep in the beginning Super dry too read more

One of my favorite places to do hills. If you go South to North, you put in 56 floors according to my Fitbit. North to South, you will put in 51. Done it numerous times, so I believe that us accurate. The views are nice and the climb is strenuous. Be sure to bring water. Going from South to North is the tougher direction, though you probably won't believe me when you are hiking the other direction. The hills are tough either way. Lots of hawks, rabbits and songbirds to distract you as you walk. I even saw a covey of quail one time. Happy hiking read more

I really enjoyed this short, but steep, hike! However, would highly recommend getting good hiking shoes as the path is quite rocky. My cousin actually stumbled and fell into some cacti - not fun. Spent a good ten minutes picking out the needles. Other than that, I enjoyed the view and some fresh air! read more

I found this area looking at google maps and decided to go take a look turns out it's really nice area with little trails for a quick workout. read more

This hike is super fun. It's a thin road up and some parts are super steep with lots of rocks but it's not too bad and not super long either. Not a lot of people when I went both times which was nice. Lots of cactus too along the side. read more

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This place is fantastic! If you have ~2hrs to spare and you're in Aneheim area then go do this you won't regret it. It's short, slope is decent it will make you work and sweat. Have to park in a neighborhood, ample and safe. Punch in the address and park on one of the side streets. Then walk up on the main road and take the first trail just passed the first stop sign. Then just follow the path and enjoy! read more

El Modena Open Space - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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I took someone's advice and parked on the residential street of Stillwater St off of Cannon St, and on a Saturday morning there was plenty of parking. As always, Zulu (the dog) came adventuring with me. In case you get confused easily like me, the trail starts right at that intersection, you'll see a little dirt hill that resembles a path going up. This hike has NO trail markers or anything, so it can be very confusing. At times I wasn't sure if I was trespassing on other property or if I was still inside what was considered to be El Modena open space. There are no benches to rest on, it pretty much is "open space" as in the name with no signs, markers, or rest stops. And I think I like it like that. It's a nice change compared to the well manicured parks in OC. As long as you stick to what you think is "probably a trail" you'll be ok. There are some nice hills and switchbacks, good inclines and declines but nothing too extreme. I can imagine just running up the hill on Cannon St would be a nice workout too. Zulu and I will definitely be back, there was another hill or two for us to explore, and its a great place for a workout (finally, trails that aren't all flat!) Also be on the lookout for glass, as there's a lot of broken bottles around. We also found graffiti on rocks, empty boxes of beer, and other random bits of things. The place is a bit creepy to go alone, even on a Saturday morning we only ran into maybe 2-3 other people. Just be careful, and bring something for self defense just in case. read more

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I live off of Stillwater Ave which is at the South end of the trail and the community has taken notice of the excess parking from hikers which is cool except when they leave their litter behind. Cops now regularly patrol this street since juveniles have the reputation of drinking or getting high before or during the hike. Honestly it's not much of a hike or trail but does come with an awesome view. I normally hike it on clear days so that I can see Rancho Palos Verde, Catalina Island and beyond. Also ideal for romantic sunsets, to view Disneyland fireworks (take a flashlight, watch your step and lookout for coyotes) or if I'm too lazy/short on time to do one of the the longer nearby trails. read more

El Modena Open Space - Sunset - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

Nice view over Orange but otherwise nothing spectacular. Paths at the moment are a bit overgrown and I wish the trail heads were a bit more accessible from various streets (if you come walking from the city, you can quickly get lost among many fences... not so open space after all!). read more

Now this is just a nice place to hike. Wether your looking for a steep incline or just a mellow windy path up it has both from the Santiago side, which is where my cousin Travis W. Enter from. We've gone up both ways but I think we both preferred the windy as opposed to the steep uphill. You can also enter from Cannon previous reviews suggest where to park. The trail itself is fairly wide as 2 people can walk side by side. For being just an open trail its kept up fairly nice. There is glass tho so be aware if you happen to fall as there is some pretty slick sections. There are three peaks that you can hike up and all are a pretty damn good workout. The best time I'd say is after a strong wind to clean up the air. On a clear day you can see from Catalina island to downtown LA. As said prior there really is no shade so water and sunglasses are a must. I've seen a decent amount of wildlife up here as well. Tons of different birds, rabbits, and living just down the hill I hear coyotes quite often. So also keep that in mind if you have a small dog. read more

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Just hiked quite a bit of this place, and I really enjoyed it. You can take a quick easy hike or turn it into a hour or two adventure. My cousin and hiked from the Santiago side to the highest hill. What a great view of Orange County. We actually came one day after Santa Ana winds came through and you could see all the way to LA!!! Trails are kept pretty good for the amount of traffic that is coming through here. Its a pretty mellow time and not too bad of a hike. There is a lot of tall brush in some area that may over grow on the trail, and watch out for the freaking cactus. Also if you see some trash and have a back pack pick it up. This place can have some broken glass in some areas. Overall a great spot that if you live in OC should check out. Such a killer view especially on a clear day. Grab your bottles of water and get out and enjoy open trail that is El Modena Open Space......although a new name would suit. LOL! CHEERS!! read more

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It's a neat place to hike. My sister & I came here to hike a little while back. Pretty view of orange.

A short distance but a great climb. Good view. 700ft. elevation, or so my phone says. Great hike. Bring flashlight and walking stick if going at night. Lots of broken glass at some lower areas. But firework view is worth it. read more

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Short little hike w/ an amazing 360 view. I would consider it pretty easy (besides the uphill elevation part) but definitely worth it! Street parking is ample & it can be hard to spot the trail entrance at first so just pay attention. read more

El Modena Open Space - Trail View - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

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Very Nice hiking trail that doesn't seem to get a lot of traffic, so that's always a huge plus. Very, very steep, which is also part of the appeal of the place because it's a nice good workout. There is absolutely no shade here, so plan in advance and bring with you a few water bottles and a hat if you need it, you'll be climbing up a small mountain where the trails aren't always completely distinguishable. Another note here is there are a TON of cacti all covering the area, so if you're going to wear shorts make sure you don't get too close to the needles! You have an awesome view from the top of this place, you can see the entire city below, the school, a lake. Really an awesome trail that's hidden in the middle of Orange. I don't know if you're supposed to do this, but I always parked in a nearby street or nighboorhood to go hiking here as I don't know where else there is to park, but since there's not a lot of people coming here I don't think it's a problem. Still though, make sure you check for signs just in case. Great hiking place! You should go! read more

Joined a friend for a hike here for the first time...very rocky terrain...I've hiked a lot of trails...this one is a bit dangerous!!!

Pretty nice little hike nestled in the hills of orange. You can get some pretty nice views of central and north Orange County. I would guess that if you go on a very clear day, you can see the ocean. Overall the hike is mildly challenging at times where you are going up hill but since the length is so short, it is not too difficult. The majority of the hike is nice and peaceful but as you get to the south end, there is broken glass and remnants of a high schoolers Saturday night. Really a shame that people don't pick up after themselves and preserve this slice of nature. read more

El Modena Open Space - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

I was surprised that this was pretty legitimate. In terms of difficulty, there are pretty steep climbs and then flat. I had trouble coming down the hill. This is an easy to find and easy to park space with lots of cactus. There are rest spots. You can see the entirety of Orange, probably the same view you'd have of Orange Hill Restaurant. read more

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You must visit it's beautiful Hillside full of cactuses rocks and various scrub brushes all dotted along the beautiful landscape of the city of Orange. The hike is mainly uphill and covers multiple ridges and is quite rocky. I would not recommend this trail for the unseasoned hiker. The trail offers beautiful views of the entire city of Orange and far beyond. The Landscaping is Lush and the city views are unmatched in this part of Orange County. Make sure to travel here with plenty of water and solid hiking shoes so you do not leave disappointed. Parking is a little scarce so you might have to park a little further down than you expected in one of the residential neighborhoods. read more

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Best Place if u want a Great View of O.C. And exercise at the same time. Steep when u climb up to the top So prepare to be sore if u a First timer But Well worth it. Not long trial But will get the job done. read more

El Modena Open Space - View of O.C - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

I really liked this hike, definitely lots of incline and an amazing view. Saw a lot of animals including bunnies , a type of hawk and some quails. The trail seems a little sketch cause it seems like it goes off somewhere else or maybe people walked off and made a different trail but I would stay in the designated trail because there are poisonous plants and snakes. Over all I really loved it and will be coming back. It's not a long hike either. read more

Love coming here on weekend mornings with my dogs. It's never crowded. In fact, I usually only run into to 2 or 3 people during the entire hike. Great alternative to Peters Canyon, which can sometimes be too crowded. read more

El Modena Open Space - One of my favorite local spots. - Hiking Near Me - Orange, California

Great day to be outside. This was such a nice area to urban "Hike" in. A lot of this area has been affected by the fires and is technically closed, but there where so many people hiking. The closed signs didn't deter anyone. I did see a rattlesnake on this hike! I wasn't expecting to see one in the middle of the trial and he was not in any hurry to move! But keep an eye out for snakes especially if you bring your dog like I did! read more

I hiked up halfway with my toddler. The trail is wide enough for two people to walk side by side. The view is nice and we saw several lizards and something furry run off into the chaparral. I can't say much else since we didn't complete the hike. read more

This place may be small, but it's still one of the best places to hike in OC. Going up the hills on either side is fun and a little mini workout because the trails are not fully manicured and once you get up to the top the view is amazing. It's not too difficult going up because it's a short trip to the top. You do have to be careful with your footing going downhill though. There are lots of pebbles and loose dirt in parts. I've slipped and fallen here once before because I was only wearing normal running shoes. read more

This is a a nice little peaceful trail. The view is amazing, however as other yelpers have mentioned there's a lot of trash and broken glass. read more

I hiked up El Modena Open Space for the first time yesterday. I had a good time climbing up the trail. Then had a good time overlooking Orange, CA. read more

Quick and intense hiking area. No direct parking lot, so you have to park on the street near the residential area. The path is super narrow and beware of lizards and bees. But you won't find a more beautiful hike in OC than this! read more

I like the views here and the hiking is one of a kind BUT an issue I've seen here is the little pieces of glass all over the places. If you're wearing shoes you're fine but for dogs you need to watch out for them. Other than I enjoyed the steep inclines that give a great workout. read more