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    Mount Woodson Trail

    4.5 (834 reviews)

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    Derrick S.

    We arrived at the Lake Poway Recreation area around 10am; parking us $10 however they do offer free parking if you meet certain things like being in the military. There was plenty of parking when we arrived. Great views of the lake while you prepare for the hike and it looks like you can rent boats and paddle boats there too. A few families were enjoying this on their mother's day. The trail wasn't as busy as I'd thought it would be which was a good thing. There were dogs, kids, scrollers and all on the trail. Since there are a few different trails combined on this hike some may have not been going to up to potato chip rock. I clocked our hike to take nearly 3 hours and 30 minutes and nearly 7.27 miles from car to the turning point on the hike and back. I recommend anyone to try this trail but might not be the best for small kids and older pets. Bring plenty of water as there's no water during the hike but there is a snack shop at the starting point and it opens around 6am. Bring music and conversation for the long hike because you will need it. Hiking shoes not required but you feet will feel it on the way back. There seems to be a helipad around the 1.5 mile point, maybe for emergencies. Once we made it back down the trail it was very busy in the park and limited parking available (around 1:30pm).

    Trail details from Lake Poway
    Clara C.

    This is a fun hike with great views! Plus a fun photo op at the end! How to get here: The Lake Poway trail connects to the Mount Woodson trail, so you can park at Lake Poway. It's free on Saturdays and Sundays; otherwise $10 on weekdays. The trailhead begins to the right of the general store. Look for the yellow sign. You stay on Lake Poway trail for about a mile, and then follow the signs that direct you to Mount Woodson. The first part of the hike is paved dirt ish. Then it gets rocky, as in stairs/steps made by rocks. There is very little shade throughout, and there's a general incline the whole way. There is a vista point when you are halfway. At the peak, you will get to the potato chip rock. You will also see buttcheek rock on your way there. Coming back down is much easier; the last part without the rocks being the easiest. Bring a hat and plenty of water. Round trip is about 8 miles and 4 hours.

    Potato chip rock
    Ashley R.

    Review for mount Woodson hike only not the lake or park. Nice hike. I would suggest this hike to experienced hikers to those who are use to prolonged strenuous activity. Not a beginner hike but beginners would still have a lot of fun, however it is very steep and stopping too often for me is sometimes worse than just pushing through. Pros: -from the lake about 7-8 miles round trip - fresh air -great workout/training Cons: - not for those who require wheelchair or crutches,etc as the ground is naturally uneven. - parking fees $10

    Seen on the fire road trail.
    Tony H.

    Do not underestimate this hike just because the mileage and elevation gain isn't as high as most of the other big trail hikes in So Cal. Mt. Woodson is a newer alternate peak addition. To the So Cal Six pack of peaks challenge, looking at the list of other hikes (7 of the 18 I've done) I figured this would be a breeze. While it's not as brutal as Mt. Baldy this trail is a workout for sure. There's 2 route that lead to the peak, a 7 mile total trail from the Lake Poway entrance (there's a charge for parking) or a 4 mile total fire road trail off road 67. We ended up taking the fire road route since lake Poway was only allowing online prepaid parking for their 4th if July event. Part of that trail feel way steeper than they look when going up. You'll have some great views of the area on the way up, & if you start your hike early enough in the day there probably won't be a long wait to take a picture on Potato Chip Rock.

    Near entrance, before the pavement starts
    Nancy L.

    Holy Moly Incline!! Fyi, the incline does not ease up or get easier, so be prepared. We showed up well before the sun in order to beat the large crowds that were certain to arrive as the day progresses. It was great having the trail almost to ourselves and not having to worry about walking up the mountain next to large crowds. Chose to take the shorter/paved trail at 4ish miles versus the longer route at more than 7 miles. Once we reached the potato chip rock, we were able to take our time enjoying the view and getting our pictures with the infamous rock! As I'm sure others have mentioned, be prepared to climb up a boulder and a jump across to reach the chip. It's a bit intimidating but it's not too bad. We helped each other so it was nice to have the extra support. Or the other option is to climb down around the boulder and then climb up onto the chip.

    Maria R.

    Awesome trail, for a great workout. A 7+miles out and back, with an elevation gain of 2000ft. Started at 6:30 before the sun was directly above my head, wished I would have started earlier, perhaps 5:30-6am. The trail is well maintained and trail markers through-out for easy navigation. It's an ascent all the way to the summit, with little breaks in between. This is classified as a moderate hike, very doable. If you are not accustomed to inclines, you might find this trail difficult. Take your time, take breaks, and stay well hydrated. There are no shaded section on this trail, you will be exposed to a lot of sun. The "potato chip rock" was underwhelming and the long line to snap a picture on it was discouraging. The summit is approx .50 mile up, past the rock near the towers. This is also a GREAT runners trail... Wear comfortable shoes, bring at least 2L of water and wear lots of sunscreen. Also, please, please, please wear head phones!!!

    Azelle B.

    Did this hike the Friday before Labor Day weekend and there were only about 3 other groups on the trail, it was probably because we all did a risky (stupid) decision to hike this trail in the middle of the day, with a heat wave at that. Still, this trail deserves 5 stars bec it was a challenging, picturesque and well-kept trail. There is barely no shade so it took us 4 hours back and forth (until Potato Chip Rock) with a LOT of stops to take in a little bit of shade wherever possible. Clocked in around 7.6miles roundtrip. Reaching Potato Chip was a nice treat and we managed to enjoy it all for ourselves and rest a bit before heading back down. Getting to edge of the "potata chip" does require a small jump since there's a gap between the 2 rocks. It's perfectly safe/stable in my opinion but will need a little bit of courage to take that short leap. Personally preferred to "slide" down getting off the potato chip than jumping back up (short legs haha).

    Jean-Claude B.

    Super well maintained trail and much easier on your knees Vs other local trails. Did not see too many people (President day) and super easy to park at lake Poway. Went on cloudy day so bring layers as it was very windy at moment. Not very scenic per say (beside the small lake) and pretty much a 4 miles up and 4 miles down. The potato chip rock was so small compared to the illusion we saw from other photos. While this is a nice way to get your cardio, we still prefer iron mountain and especially via the Ellie lane trail which increased the r/t to 7.4 miles. All in all, a little disappointed a but still worth a visit.

    Lisa C.

    Mount Woodson Trail to Potato Chip Rock was a pleasant 2 hour leisurely roundtrip trek (w/ another 0.5 hours spent at the rock formation). I liked it for the gradual incline (1,281 feet) and cardio that this trail offered, as well as the beautiful scenery of boulders, mountains, greenery and even saw a snow capped mountain from afar! (Anyone know what mountain this is? ) Went during mid afternoon on a weekday and there was ample street parking available. Getting to the potato chip platform can be challenging, make sure to wear hiking shoes with good grip. And bring a friend or two to help assist you down/ up . It's perfect to hike during San Diego's winter season, as it wasn't too hot, about high 50's to low 60's when I went. Limited areas with shade so bring a hat and sunscreen! Also, don't forget your water! Saw a family make hot coco at the summit with their thermos and though that was a clever idea!

    Lime bike found up top...
    Marcus F.

    Before there was a "potato chip rock" this was a nice trail to the telecommunication towers on top of Mount Woodson. Today, this trail is an international tourist trap. No, seriously...You'll find more tourist here than in Old Town. That's the downfall of this place, it's way too crowded. There are three ways to hike this trail. Most people park at Lake Poway for $10 (7 total miles) or the more adventurous will hike from the blue sky ecological reserve for free ( 10 miles ) but those looking for the shortest hike will take the backside trail to the top and it's also free (5 miles). I prefer the backside trail. - This is not an easy hike and if the weather is hot it can be very strenuous. That being said, people still bring dogs and strollers.. - Lime Bikes on top - There is wailing wall off the backside trail. You can put pebbles, ashes, or whatever in the small holes in the rock.

    The start of the shorter route - Ramona Forest Fire Station
    Lele Y.

    TLDR; you will be challenged 1) to get onto Potato Chip, the rocks curve in very deeply so be prepared to slowly inch down with just one leg and 2) to get off Potato Chip, there is no hand grip anywhere on the rock so first time I was able to inch down ok but second time I actually slid down, intentionally and unintentionally too (thigh all up against the rock) and got a bit bruised up, another hiker said she could've messed up her ankle coming back and I say my ankle almost was possible too the second time around so be careful -------------------------------- there's a long route that is easier since it has stairs (7mile) and there's a short route(4mile) that is more steep but is all up-hill... I came across the beautiful shorter route lol took about 90mins to 2hrs to complete and be back at my vehicle (reading the reviews, seems lots more have come across the 7mile hike...heh) Parking was "free" because everyone else pulled off of the highway (you know how you can only pull over for like emergencies on like a highway/freeway..yeah we all did that lol) how legal is it? I'm unsure lol was I worried about getting my car towed? Yes. But it's funny because there are 10 other cars with me too whom could've been towed lol I recommend at least 1 liter for this hike and to pack light. bring sunscreen and a hat and some snacks. There was about 5 minutes max of shade with all the gigantic rocks but other than that, it's all sun and all uphill. when you arrive at the top of this mountain, you'll be circling around the satellite towers before reaching Potato Chip. Have fun and Good luck!

    View back down the slope

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    Mount Woodson Trail Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Mount Woodson Trail

    Where do we park or enter for the paved trail?

    Address for shorter route with free parking along the side of the highway: 16200 Highway 67 Ramona, CA.… Read more

    Know if dogs are allowed ? Off leash?

    Dogs are allowed, must be leashed

    With small toddlers, is it possible to drive to get closer than the 11 miles from the parking structure?

    There's no parking structure. There's is a parking lot by one side/area of the lake with a park next to it.… Read more

    Is the longer trail too difficult to do while carrying my just over 20 pound toddler in his hiking backpack carrier? I am in good shape and have good endurance.

    No I don't think so. My husband carried my 25 lbs son in the front (baby carrier) and a camel back with 3 liters of water on his back. Hope that helps!

    View All 6 Questions

    Review Highlights - Mount Woodson Trail

    How to get here: The Lake Poway trail connects to the Mount Woodson trail, so you can park at Lake Poway.

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    Twin Peaks

    Twin Peaks

    (13 reviews)

    Great moderate hike! There are several trails to choose from, but the one we did was just over 3…read moremiles with over 800 ft of elevation gain. The trail is well maintained and rewards you with a beautiful panoramic view of Poway.

    Short and sweet out-and-back trail. ~1.9 miles total, can finish in about an hour. Start in…read moreSilverset Park where there's a nice parking lot, a bathroom and a lot of families walking around. The hike itself is very quiet, I was expecting bigger crowds on a Sunday afternoon with beautiful weather but only ran into 2 solo hikers the entire trail. This could be a pro or a con depending on if you're seeking solitude or have some concerns about safety (e.g. a female solo hiker), but the area itself feels extremely peaceful and safe and embedded in a lovely suburban neighborhood. I also had cell service the whole time on this trail too which was nice. Gets steeper closer to the top and might have to climb over a good number of rocks (some of which are a bit loose) but nothing that you can't handle with a good pair of hiking shoes and a bit of caution. Agree with the other posted reviews that there's a network of trails that is not super well labeled and the signs are not helpful. Still, you can see the summit from the trail pretty much the entire time and that helped me orient myself, just choose the path leading in the direction of that summit. Great workout, views at the top are beautiful and completely worth it!

    Blue Sky Ecological Reserve - Poison Oak

    Blue Sky Ecological Reserve

    (67 reviews)

    This was a pleasant hike that was north of the more famous Mount Woodson Trail (aka Potato Chip…read moreRock) in Poway. You can actually choose your own adventure about 0.6 mile in with a less strenuous trek that headed south to Lake Poway or a tougher path east and then north that ascended to Lake Ramona. I chose the latter as it was only a round trip of about five miles. There were several switchbacks during the climb towards the summit. The hardest part came just short of Lake Ramona when the dirt became a black top pavement. The footing became better, but the steepness and stiff, swirling breezes made it a challenge. Once you reached the top, the reward was a beautiful view of the lake. There were a few folks who had arrived earlier, and they were armed with fishing poles. I had no idea how they were going to cast their lines because large boulders blocked the way down to the water. It took me exactly two hours from start to finish which included a little rest time at the peak to appreciate the view of the serene water. A bonus of the Blue Sky Ecological Reserve was that the parking lot at the trailhead was very well maintained. If this trail was longer, then I likely would have rated it with five stars.

    Great spot for a peaceful hike. There are plenty of trails to explore. We ended up doing a 2-mile…read moreloop. The path has informative placards throughout, and I loved all the beautiful greenery along the way. There's a large parking lot nearby, and it wasn't crowded. We only saw a few other hikers. A lovely place to get outside and enjoy nature.

    Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve - The falls area

    Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

    (394 reviews)

    Mira Mesa, Torrey Hills

    I've done this trail/hike quite a few times already since I grew up in the area. It's been a few…read moreyears since I had last done it and I went alone with my little dog a few months ago during the summer. BRING ALOT OF WATER. If you're new to this trail/hike, I would recommend the north trail. The south trail can be a bit confusing and you may get lost if you're inexperienced. Parking: I take a little shortcut and I park closer to Park Village elementary school and there's a little parking lot area roundabout that you can park in. Plenty of little trails , little critters, and people riding their horses through. A calming sight to see. there is good amount of water during the summertime when I went. Hiking shoes are not needed. When you get to the waterfall, there's plenty of rocks you can climb onto and it's pretty fun. Dog friendly, but make sure they're on a leash during the trail.

    Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve is a set of flat hiking trails along a dry creek bed stretching…read morefrom Black Mountain Road on the east to Sorrento Valley on the west. The round trip from one end to the other was just under 12 miles. From the east, you start at Canyonside Community Park. The parking spaces closest to the trailhead were adjacent to baseball field #8 so keep that in mind. You can actually take one of two parallel trails westward, one north of the creek bed and one south of the creek bed, towards the "waterfall" which was about a three-mile distance. I have done both before with different groups of friends. There was quite a bit of shade on certain parts of the trek. You will need to watch out for dung as horse riding was permitted on the trails. The waterfall was an area of boulders where the creek has flowing water that descends maybe 20 feet over a distance of about 50 yards. At this junction, you can cross the creek from the north trail to the south trail or vice versa to head back east to Canyonside Community Park. I have never gone west of the waterfall, but one of these days I will do so or start from the Sorrento Valley side and head eastward. If you like a long hike without much elevation, then this will be for you.

    Mount Woodson Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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