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    Pyle's Peak

    4.2 (40 reviews)

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    Entrance once get to the top of Cowles
    Karen H.

    When I thought Cowles was boring it surprised me with Pyles as an extension of the hike! Plus taking the back service road and then hike Pyles then you got a good leg workout! 7.3 miles around trip. You have to make it up Cowles first then at the top you take a left to the service road and you'll find the sign for the entrance to Pyles Peak. If you are coming up the service road then continue straight you'll hit the sign. The start of Pyles is flat and downhill then it surprises you and it's uphill! The last portion to get up to the peak is all uphill get ready for it. At the half way point there is a lookout if you want to go up there for a break. Views aren't that great I wouldn't waste the time to go up there. You can see all 5 peaks from Pyles. It's a narrow trail not heavily trafficked. Mix of rocks and dirt terrain. Good for trail running or hiking. All trails rates it a moderate, the signs say difficult. I will rate it moderate to difficult. The inclines are difficult the rest I would say is moderate. Overall it's a great extension to Cowles and if you take the service road up it is a great leg workout. Nice workout, I would do it again. Bring enough water if you plan on going later in the day!

    The trail head to Pyle's peak
    Wanting H.

    For those who love hiking and want to take on another challenge after you topped the Cowles Mountain, consider Pyle's Peak! Entrance/parking: the only way to access Pyle's Peak is from the top of Cowles Mountain. After you arrived Cowles peak, find the service road and walk toward west. You will see a sign for Pyle's Peak. Trail distance/difficulty: 1.5 miles to Pyle's peak summit but it includes multiple downward and upward hikes throughout. The hike to Pyle's peak is a difficult hike because its distance and change of elevations. Activity: This hike is much less popular than Cowles Mountain so it is excellent for hikers who want to get out there and enjoy the scenery by yourself. At the half way to the peak, there is a view point for you to enjoy the view. The trail here is smaller and less maintained than Cowles but definitely gives you more of a "real" hiking experience. When you are about to summit Pyle's peak, it can be a steep challenging hike; however, you will see the summit in no time! After that, the view is all yours! Tips: Make sure you bring enough water! With Cowles hike, you will be hiking about 3.5 miles to Pyle's peak so the hike gets long and difficult.

    View of Lake Murray
    Jason R.

    I did this hike this morning. We got there early (about 6:15) and found parking on Golfcrest pretty close but there were no spaces available in the small lot. We started at the Cowles mountain trailhead...there was a nasty, foul odor coming from the restrooms...no, seriously it was bad! The hike to Cowles is busy, rocky and just ok...some good views. It was 1.25 to the top. After pausing to take a picture we went to the left of the plaque and there was a little access road with a sign for the Pyle's Peak trail. I enjoyed this part much better since it has more of a natural, interesting landscape and so fewer people than the Cowles portion...a couple hundred people on Cowles and less than 2 dozen on the Pyle's trail. It is 1.5 miles from Cowles to Pyle's and took us about 2 hrs and 5 mins to complete the 5.5 miles RT.

    Dominic B.

    Wow! I've done Cowles Mountain plenty of times and for some reason, I've never realized that Pyle's Peak is literally the next trail over which connects to it. If you enjoyed Cowles, Pyles Peak offers a nice addition to the hike while offering similar sweeping views of the San Diego area. And know that in order to do this trail, you have to complete one of the Cowles Mountain trails first. Pyles Peak trail is the road less traveled, but I happened to enjoy the fact that it has way less people hiking it. On my entire trip I only encountered two people and one of them was the volunteer ranger. The trail is almost entirely dirt, but there are some steps and rails to use along the way. I did it in the early morning during June bloom. With that being said, I wouldn't recommend doing it in the heat of the sun as there is very little shade to take advantage of. So dress accordingly and bring an adequate supply of water! I did encounter a snake on my last trip there, so just keep an eye out if you're hiking during the warmer months.

    Made it!
    Elena P.

    BIG ROCK PARK TRAILHEAD ENTRANCE: As part of the 5peak challenge, we started from the Big Rock Park located on 8125 Arlette St. Santee, CA 92071. From the parking lot, the trailhead can easily be identified. The beginning of the trail is made up of flat areas, slight incline and frequent, spaced out steps. There is minimal shade here. Be careful with the portion of the hike that is visibly recovering from a fire and stay on path! Once the trail connect to the Service trail, you encounter a slight incline followed by an ascend, and lastly an intense incline for the remainder of the hike. Not the slightest tree to shade you here. It kicked my butt and I had to stop a few times before reaching Cowles Summit. The Pyles Peak trailhead is marked by signs that label it as difficult. You begin by descending the mountain for about a mile and gradually ascending the smaller mountain for the remainder of the trail. There is a small area at the top governed by a big rock you can sit on. If you're going to hike up Cowles, you'll be missing out if you don't hike up to Pyles Peak! :) Info about this hike: started 7am, about 2.5 miles to reach top of Cowles and add 1.5 to reach Pyles Peak, a high of 82 degree weather. This trail up to Cowles and Pyles Peak was less traveled than one on Navajo Rd. I'm comparison, that side provides 1.5 miles of switchbacks with rocks to slightly climb over. I enjoyed this way up way more. It is less populated and the trail changes along the way making it more entertaining.

    Pulse Peak
    kat b.

    Loved it! Much quieter than Cowles Mountain and the views are always amazing. You have to climb up Cowles Mountain and there are signs pointing to Pyles Peak

    Vincent P.

    TIP: If you are doing the 5-Peak Challenge of Mission Trails, do this one subsequently after Cowles Mountain since you can do them both in one shot. The total round trip distance for both is 6 miles and the only way you can get to Pyles Peak (from Golfcrest Drive) is via the summit of Cowles Mountain. At 1379 feet, you will actually be descending 213 feet from Cowles to get to Pyles Peak but don't let that fool you in thinking this will be a leisurely stroll. The hike starts off with a nice long downhill then goes on a small incline during the 2nd half. Shortly after the overlook, the small incline turns into a steep uphill with many switchbacks for the last 0.3 miles (which seemingly takes forever). Going back, the downhill becomes the start and you end with a challenging uphill ascent with multiple switchbacks before arriving back at Cowles Mountain. Lately, there's been more people that have been scaling Pyles Peak so it is not as deserted as once before. However, it still remains far less crowded than Cowles and makes for a fun and challenging extension to the hike. The trail is clearly marked the entire way so it is a very straightforward hike and you won't get lost. It is well-maintained and although hiking shoes are preferable, you should be able to do this hike in running shoes without much problem. The view from Cowles is far superior to the view at Pyles Peak. Still, this is a hike worth checking out. I'm surprised at how often I hiked Cowles without even noticing this hidden gem!

    Make sure you take your pick for the #fivepeakchallenge
    Katie B.

    Pyles Peak is one of the peaks in the Mission Trails Five Peak Challenge, which is aimed at directing people to trails other than Cowles. Interestingly enough, this is a continuation of the hike up to Cowels. Pyles is about 1.6 miles past the top ofCowles and is definitely a more narrow and less traveled trail, but still well maintained. Our group started from the Barker entrance and headed up on the old fire road, which definitely has a steep start. If you're looking to check this one off your challenge list and aren't an avid hiker, I recommend you head up the normal Cowels trail before heading on to Pyles. The hike there is mostly downhill and boasts some pretty beautiful scenery on a clear day. Sure it may not be as interesting as the view from the top of Cowels, but you'll see a lot more of nature on this trail. Make sure you bring plenty of water, cause the only way back from here is the way you came. If you take the fire road route, it's about 6 miles round trip.

    Kimberly B.

    **So there's this 5 peak challenge where you gotta hike these specific peaks and take a selfie next to the summit signs. Once you get all of those pics, you email them and you get a certificate and a pin. Not much but hey it's a bigger motivator than nothing. And you guessed it, Pyles Peak was one of them! You can reach the trailhead when you get to the top of Cowels Mountain. I have no idea if there is any other way up there. This was a considerably less busy trail and slightly narrow compared to Cowels. I passed only about 13 people (yes I kept count) on my way to Pyles Peak summit and probably a hundred billion at Cowels. The view was not as great here but nature is nature and it's amazing regardless. If you like a quiet, more secluded hike, this is the place for you. **Totally copy/pasted that part in another one of my reviews cuz lazy.

    Beautiful flowers
    Liz R.

    I would've given this trail 5 starts if it wasn't for the fact that you have to go up Cowles Mountain before you can get to the trailhead. (I don't like Cowles Mountain because it is to crowded) The Pyles trail is nice and peaceful it is a dramatic contrast of Cowles. This time we started our hike at the Cowles Staging Area since we were short on time. We were planing of staring from Barker trailhead but we thought it was longer. The other option was to start from Big Rock trailhead but that is not a fun hike once you get to Cowles Service Road. Once you get to the summit of Cowles the Pyles Peak will be to the left as you face the "service towers" there is a small plaque showing you the way. One thing you need to watch out for on this trail are bikes. They cannot go all they way to the peak but you may ran into them at the begging of the trail. I found that this trail have nice views and plenty of flowers and greenery, not a lot of shade throughout the trail but there were a few areas with shade. Do wear good shoes because there are a lot of loose gravel and rocky areas like the other trails of the 5-Peak Challenge. From the beginning of the trail to the end it is not a hard trail but you have to remember you have to include Cowles Mountain trail into the equation.

    The focal point is me, but those two tarantulas on the ground are no joke!
    Zoe K.

    My bf and I started at Big Rock park in Santee. I would definitely not recommend starting on this side, as the trail was not very interesting or strenuous and we really just thought we were lost for the first mile. Having hiked the Cowles trail, I'd recommend making that your way up. Again, quite an odd path to Pyle's Peak. It's mostly downhill from Cowles to Pyle's. The terrain is very rocky, so wear good shoes! When we got to the top, I stepped on a tarantula patch and definitely gave a pretty outrageous screech. My bf wanted to pick them up, but I just wanted to get out of there! All in all, it was a fine hike. I wouldn't do it again, or at least not the same way, but if you're looking for a moderately easy hike that takes about 3 hours, go for it.

    Cowles Mountain
    Einna S.

    My friend and I hiked up Pyles Peak after conquering Cowles Mtn. Quite some foot traffic at Cowles Mtn. But once you get to the top. You see some pretty nice views. Not many hiked up to Pyles Peak. I believe going back down from the Pyles was a b*tch. Other than that, reaching the Peak was glorious, you can see San Diego at all angles. Once you finish Pyles, you have to remember that you are not done and that you still have to hike back down to Cowles. Oh maaan. It was a good workout. I know I worked up a sweat. In fact, I'm feeling a bit sore the next day. 5 stars total which includes Cowles. I combined the ratings!

    Jireh A.

    The journey is hard but the view is worth it. Cowles Mountain is one of the nicest hiking trips i've been too. Going up is the hardest for it is uphill. It is about 2 miles up, zigzag lanes all the way up. Going down is easy, you can jog down to burn calories if you want or enjoy the view of Lake Murray and East Central San Diego.

    First steep incline represents trail from Barker Wy to Cowles.  There is a series of up and down hill slopes from Cowles to Pyles Summit.

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    Ask the Community - Pyle's Peak

    Review Highlights - Pyle's Peak

    We've hiked 4 of the 5 peaks in Mission Trails; Fortuna and Pyle's are our favorites (you can keep Cowles, thankyouverymuch).

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    Coast Walk Trail - Coast Walk Trail

    Coast Walk Trail

    4.9(32 reviews)
    13.7 miLa Jolla

    The Coast Walk Trail in La Jolla is one of those places that somehow exceeds expectations every…read moresingle time. It is unbelievably beautiful and feels like peak Southern California in the best way. The ocean views are absolutely breathtaking, with rugged cliffs, sparkling blue water, and waves crashing below you the entire walk. No matter how many times you stop to look around, it never gets old. The trail itself is well maintained and easy to navigate, making it accessible for all ages and fitness levels. You can go at your own pace, whether that's a relaxed stroll or a longer walk, and still feel completely immersed in nature. The weather is almost always perfect with sunshine, mild temperatures, and a refreshing ocean breeze that makes the experience even better. One of the highlights is the wildlife. You'll likely see seals and sea lions lounging on the rocks, birds flying overhead, and if you're lucky, dolphins swimming just offshore. It feels like a front row seat to nature. This is the kind of place that makes you stop, slow down, and appreciate how stunning California really is. A must visit for tourists and locals alike, and absolutely deserving of five stars.

    039/2026/Feb This…read morescenic pedestrian path walk has a breath taking view!! It's not like a regular walk trail !! A panoramic view of the La Jolla coastline gave me a feeling of peace and tranquility just hearing the sound of the silent waves and bustling wind !!! Honestly the stairs are one too many for me so I just sat down and enjoyed the view from the wooden bench!

    Photos
    Coast Walk Trail
    Coast Walk Trail - Native Coastal Vegetation

    Native Coastal Vegetation

    Coast Walk Trail

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    La Jolla Trail - Along the hiking path.

    La Jolla Trail

    4.1(211 reviews)
    13.4 miLa Jolla Shores

    I had heard a lot about the "Ho Chi Minh Trail" and finally tried it over a recent weekend. I am…read morenot sure who discovered or developed this hike, but it felt like, "Hey, let's follow the natural erosion of the land and create a shortcut to Black's Beach from the residences in La Jolla Farms." The number of people who were either barefooted or were wearing flip flops to make this trek really surprised me. I was wearing hiking shoes and was fortunate to only pick up a couple of minor scrapes along the way. The views of the canyons, the bluffs, and the hang gliders overhead were very beautiful so there were plenty of photo opportunities. I felt the hassle to descend towards the beach was not worth the short journey. The path was only about 3/4 mile in distance one way which I completed in about 20 minutes. Trekking poles were not at all useful, and they became a hindrance in a few areas. This was a hike in which you should NOT bring children or dogs. If you have a fear of heights, then you may also want to think twice before trying this trail. There were at least two or three very treacherous spots in which a slip could lead to a nasty fall with a concussion, sprain, fracture, or even death as an outcome. There are many other hiking locations in San Diego County that are more rewarding than the La Jolla Trail.

    Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone--And Into a New Chapter…read more This weekend, I challenged myself to hike the Ho Chi Minh Trail in La Jolla. It's known to be steep, rugged, and unpredictable. When I arrived, I felt unprepared--others seemed more equipped, more confident. I considered backing out. But I didn't. I stuck with it. Step by step, I pushed through the discomfort and self-doubt. And when I reached the end, I wasn't just relieved--I felt alive. That quiet sense of accomplishment reminded me that growth doesn't happen in certainty; it happens in motion. #PersonalGrowth #ChallengeAccepted On my drive home, I spotted two butterflies--one a monarch, the other yellow. To me, they weren't just beautiful--they were symbolic. A monarch represents transformation. A yellow butterfly, joy and renewal. It felt like the universe's way of saying: "You're on the right path. Keep going." #Transformation #Joy After years of living in San Diego without truly connecting to it, I've decided: it's time I lived here for a change. This city has so much to offer--if I'm willing to explore it with fresh eyes and an open heart. #RediscoverSanDiego #ExploreMore As I move into a quieter season work-wise, I plan to fill that space with more meaningful experiences like this one. Nature. Movement. Presence. Rediscovery. #Mindfulness #NatureLover Because we don't always need a big shift to change our lives--sometimes, all it takes is a trail, a choice, and the courage to begin. #CourageToBegin #SmallSteps #successfultaxseason2025 #enjoyingthefruitsoflabor #beautyofnatureinSanDiego #Rebirth #meaningfulexperiences #lifeisbeautiful #utilizingfullyoffseasonfunactivities Just show my fitness I put myself through is working!!! #healthyfitnessinprogress. #12 walk - Ho Chi Man Trail

    Photos
    La Jolla Trail - Beach shore at the end of the hike

    Beach shore at the end of the hike

    La Jolla Trail - A doable hike with some challenging spots

    A doable hike with some challenging spots

    La Jolla Trail

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    Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve - The falls area

    Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

    4.2(394 reviews)
    10.6 miMira 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.

    Photos
    Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve - Path across a ridge

    Path across a ridge

    Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve
    Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

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    Oak Canyon Trail

    Oak Canyon Trail

    4.6(24 reviews)
    2.8 mi

    If you're looking to do an easy nature trail walk, I recommend this one! Right from the start you…read moresee a lake scenery with lots of trees and plants on the water. There were trees with yellow leaves because it's fall. Didn't see much wild life. There were bridges and streams. No steep hills. Beautiful views and atmosphere.

    We parked at a large lot next to the Visitor Center (plenty of spots ~ 830AM). We walked…read moreapproximately 1.5mi to the Old Mission Dam (lots of water!) then proceeded according to the Google Maps for "Oak Canyon Trail" since the map at the Visitor Center didn't show where the waterfall was. We have done portions of this hike coming from other entry points when it was DRY, and everything was rocks and dirt. With the recent rains, areas that were previously rocks/dirt were now covered with running water. It actually took awhile to get from the "Giant Oak Tree" landmark to where the waterfall was supposed to be, because two-way traffic was needing to stop and wait for each other, since in parts of the trail, only a sliver of muddy ground could be traversed. If you are wanting to do this hike now, you will not be able to take strollers on this path & you should be somewhat surefooted because the rocks can be slippery. Stupidly, I can't figure out if I actually saw a waterfall. I saw a lot of segments in which the flowing water would "fall" a foot or so (one photo attached). Overall, it was a beautiful hike and wonderful to see a familiar hiking trail completed transformed by the rains. That being said, it was supposed to be an out-and-back hike but we were not interested in clambering through mud/rocks/water again so we actually used the North Fortuna to Grassland loop trail to get back to the Visitor center. This turned a 3mi hike into an 8mi one. Our bodies were very tired

    Photos
    Oak Canyon Trail - Pedestrian bridge

    Pedestrian bridge

    Oak Canyon Trail
    Oak Canyon Trail - All the previously dried beds are now filled with flowing water

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    All the previously dried beds are now filled with flowing water

    Lake Murray - Always gorgeous

    Lake Murray

    4.4(334 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    Lake Murray is so beautiful and I enjoy coming here! I've been here a few times to walk the trail…read moreand also sit by the lake and read on a nice sunny morning. The birds can be a bit annoying, but guess that comes with the great outdoors. Definitely a nice spot to chill, take a walk and get those steps in. This area feels safe and well maintained. When I went, there weren't too many people, so it was pretty peaceful. The trail can get busy and there are bathrooms along the way (I didn't use them though) There's plenty of parking here, but just be sure you leave on time for closing. I've heard they lock up and it can be an issue with getting out. (not sure how true this is but I won't chance it) There is more parking elsewhere with trail access too, I just personally haven't found it.

    Lake Murray Service road walking trail is one of my go-to workouts--about 5.5 miles to the locked…read moregate and back. After entering the main entrance, follow the road and turn right where you will see a yellow locked gate. This is the beginning of the paved walking trail. There's plenty of parking at the main entrance, and the paved trail is perfect for walkers, runners, bikers, and even kids tagging along. It's basically a choose-your-own-adventure: bird watching, fishing (permit required), or just a casual picnic. Bonus perks: lots of porta potties and benches when you need a breather. If you're holding out for a real restroom, there's one just past the second baseball field--plan accordingly. Photo is attached to show where to locate this. Heads up: the main gate is closed every 2nd Tuesday of the month, but don't panic--you can still access the trail through the neighborhood entrance off Baltimore Drive. Hope you enjoy this walking trail as much as I do.

    Photos
    Lake Murray - Bench for a picnic. Be careful it maybe too hot out!

    Bench for a picnic. Be careful it maybe too hot out!

    Lake Murray - Read signs and be careful when wondering off the paved road.

    Read signs and be careful when wondering off the paved road.

    Lake Murray

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    Pyle's Peak - hiking - Updated May 2026

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