Quail Hill Trailhead ended up being such a refreshing and unexpectedly enjoyable place to visit, and I did not realize how much there was to appreciate until I actually stepped onto the trail. Even though it is a hiking area, the atmosphere feels peaceful and energizing at the same time, and I saw a lot of teenagers there enjoying the open space. Teens would love the atmosphere because it feels safe, open, and full of freedom. The wide views, the fresh air, and the long stretches of trail make it feel like a place where teens can explore, take pictures, and enjoy being outdoors without feeling restricted or watched. It has this natural beauty that makes you want to walk a little farther just to see what is around the next corner. The service aspect at a trailhead is different from a restaurant, but the experience still feels organized and teen friendly. The signs are clear, the paths are clean, and the entire area feels well maintained. Teens appreciate when a place is easy to navigate without confusion, and Quail Hill makes that possible. The posted information about wildlife and safety feels helpful rather than intimidating, and it gives teens the confidence to explore the trail while staying aware of their surroundings. The value at Quail Hill is something teenagers would appreciate immediately because it is completely free. Teens love places where they can hang out without spending money, and Quail Hill gives them a full experience without costing anything at all. They can walk, jog, bike, take pictures, talk with friends, or simply enjoy the scenery. It is the kind of place where teens can spend an hour or an entire afternoon and feel like they got something meaningful out of it without paying a single dollar. The quality of the environment is another thing that stands out. The trail is clean, the views are beautiful, and the whole area feels peaceful in a way that teenagers would find refreshing. Teens who love taking pictures would have a great time here because the scenery looks almost unreal at certain points, with bright skies, rolling hills, and natural lighting that makes every photo look good. The environment feels like a perfect backdrop for creative pictures, and teens love places that make their photos look amazing without any effort. The selection at Quail Hill comes from the different ways you can enjoy the space. Teens can walk, jog, bike, bring pets, take pictures, or simply sit and enjoy the view. It is not a place where you are limited to one activity. Instead, it gives teens the freedom to choose the pace and style that fits their mood. That kind of flexibility is something teens really appreciate because it lets them shape the experience however they want. This was my first time visiting Quail Hill Trailhead before writing this review, and it ended up being one of the most enjoyable outdoor places I have been to in a long time. I would highly recommend that teenagers go there because the atmosphere is peaceful and energizing, the organization makes it easy to enjoy, the value is unbeatable, the quality of the scenery is beautiful, and the selection of activities gives teens a chance to feel creative and free. It is a perfect spot for teens who want something fun, refreshing, and memorable. read more

Quail Hill Loop is an easy, relaxed hike that wasn't busy during our visit, though I imagine it gets much more crowded during spring and superbloom season. With the fog and chilly weather, it had an almost European countryside feel, which was a pleasant surprise for Southern California. It genuinely didn't feel like Irvine at all. A big plus is the location. Being so close to Tanaka Farms makes this an easy stop to pair with a produce run, and I can see it becoming part of our regular routine when we're in the area. The main downside: dog owners who don't pick up after their pets. We spent a good portion of the walk playing dodge the poop with our dogs, which definitely took away from the experience. Overall, a lovely trail, just wish people were more considerate. read more

Quail Hill Trailhead - Hiking Near Me - Irvine, California

Beautiful two mile loop around the Quail Hill area. Nice vista points and lots of nature to see. Perfect for everyone, from runners to families who want to take their time and see some local flora and fauna. :) read more

Quail Hill Trailhead - Hiking Near Me - Irvine, California

Love this trail for many reasons. I have been looking for a fairly easy trail to run, and Quail Hill fit all my needs. I love that there is parking accessible, and the trail is not hard to find. The trail is a 1.8 mile loop with 147 ft of elevation gain (stated on "All Trails" app). I meant to run the whole loop, but turned back around when I got nervous of getting lost (lol), only to find I had run almost the whole loop. I will be returning there, and will update how much elevation and mile it says on my watch. The run overall was pretty easy, but not completely flat. I liked the scenery, and it was a great trail to run. I did see a coyote casually passing the parking lot, but it was not a problem. The trail is well managed and a great place for a stroll or nice run. read more

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First time visitor Free parking! No fees! Dog friendly but note certain areas Biking jogger walker hiker friendly Strollers maybe for the paved areas as dirt paths are rocky at times and hilly Smaller free parking lot Community center parking larger parking lot by the fields Before entering the trail there is a kid play / rock climbing are (possible multiple entrances to trail area) Dried and green but trails were visible, signs in green along the way, view of the city and homes and great park balloon Flat paths and some hilly and some rocky, not as difficult but just have good shoes with grip It was mostly overcast but there is not really visible shade or trees so bring a hat and wear sunblock, no trash bins seen on the route Safe for solo Many groups seen Did not across to many wildlife except saw a rabbit various birds but it could be time of year Clean pathways Would certainly come back to venture more read more

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Was looking around for a hike an this popped up. There is parking but it can get busy and hard to find. It is easy to follow and there are signs around. It is a nice loop. Would definitely recommend this to anyone. Would do this again. read more

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Great little trail for a quick nature fix. The loop is mostly flat and easy and is perfect for a walk, jog, or stroller. Nice views of the hills and wildflowers in spring. It's not super shaded, so bring water and a hat. Parking's easy but limited so you do have to wait for a spot especially on weekends. Peaceful, clean, and just enough to reset your day. read more

Easy parking lot. Arrived 8am in December. Area is not very green, but still a nice hike. Perfect weather! Cool. There is no trees/no shade so I imagine it may be hot midday in the summers, bring a hat! This is a very easy, walkable dirt trail, short loop, can complete within an hour. I saw a couple joggers and couple dog walkers. Watch out for some dog poop on the trail. read more

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Nice, quiet trail in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. The trail is a flat 2-mile loop that you can complete in 30-40 min. Dog-friendly with clear markers. I went on weekend afternoon and it wasn't crowded at all. There is a free parking lot at the trailhead. The trail is usually closed after rain -- you can check the trail's status on the City of Irvine's LetsGoOutside.org website. Across the street there is a nice park called Quail Hill Community Park. The parking lot of Quail Hill also connects to the Shady Canyon Trail, which is paved 4-miles. Overall plenty of dog-friendly walking trails around this area! read more

Quail Hill Trailhead - Hiking Near Me - Irvine, California

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Amazing views amazing smiles of people walking by. Great way to start your day. Highly recommend read more

Quail Hill Trailhead - Early morning run - Hiking Near Me - Irvine, California

Amazing hiking trail located in Irvine. Not steep at all. Just be aware you might see rattle snakes as it's the season for them now! First time here and definitely not the last! read more

Quail Hill Trailhead - Hiking Near Me - Irvine, California

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This was a great short trail loop to do. Staggered crowds of people. I think it's a 1.2mile loop so it's short and sweet. Nice views, want to come in Spring or Autumn to see the beautiful blooms. Bring a hat as there is hardly any shade on the trail. Bathrooms nearby and a community center across the street. Parking lot gets full quickly and there is police presence so that is nice as well. A little out of the way with the drive but it is a nice hike! read more

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This is a very nice park/trail. Lots of free space, lots of parking. Very nice trails to go walk around. Enjoy the green environment, and the beautiful California weather. Also, this an excellent place to take Family pictures, couples pictures, and even some car pictures lol. Highly recommended park! Kept very clean and very well maintained. read more

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Nice easy trail, great for beginners. Easy to get to and easy parking. Great hike for someone new to hiking

Omg I have not seen this much poop on a trail, ever. There was a pile of poop probably less than every 10 feet. Honestly you can't even really enjoy the surrounding scenery because you're always looking down trying to hopscotch and swerve away from the endless piles. Unfortunate that dog owners don't pick up after their pets here. Easy loop though that isn't too taxing with some mild views of the surrounding city. read more

I've hiked this trail at least a half dozen times. It is great for small groups or solo. There are many options for paths and interconnecting with other trails, it can be an all day adventure of you don't plan your path ahead of time. I usually track about 9.6 miles and it is quite challenging. The trails are shared with mountain bikers so must be heads up as you are walking/running. read more

Quail Hill Trailhead - Hiking Near Me - Irvine, California

Tried to walk this trail today for a second time but was closed for maintenance. The first time it was really dry and brown but did get to see some cool spiders and sunflowers blooming. Was excited to visit today as it has been raining and has made the whole trail green. They have a bathroom in the entrance of the trail and conveniently across from different markets incase you want to eat or get some water. Will try again soon to get more info and log my experience. read more

Quail Hill Trailhead - Quail hill Trail - Hiking Near Me - Irvine, California

One of my favorite trails in Irvine, granted there aren't many, but it's simple and you get a decent burn in. Parking is free but can be limited especially any time after 4pm in the spring and summer hours when everyone is trying to get cardio in. Quail Hill trailhead is a loop that is 1.8 miles. It has some incline but not that serious. I love this trail when you want the hiking experience but don't want to go all out with a hydro pack, etc. I go around 3 times and it makes a solid 5.5 miles. The city views of Irvine and the freeway is also charming. read more

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Family-friendly, expansive trail in Irvine. It's a well-trafficked trail, and it's still open during covid. Parking is free and available at the park across the street, just search for Quail Hill Park on your Maps app, and you'll easily find it. Bathrooms are available at the park. There is minimal shade, so bring enough water and wear sunscreen! There are many hikers, bikers, and runners, but the paths are pretty wide. There's a cement as well as compact direct trail that's side-by-side. You can make the trail a longer workout by taking the other trail options, but we didn't have a chance to explore those other trails. Dogs are allowed. There were several families with small children, and some used strollers. Overall, it's a great option for a leisurely stroll or an easy run. read more

Quail Hill Trailhead - Trail - Hiking Near Me - Irvine, California

beautiful spot. if trails are closed , simply use the park across or enjoy the bike path's¡ :3 read more

Quail Hill Trailhead - good job trails - Hiking Near Me - Irvine, California

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The Gist: Good for all ages and DOG Friendly Parking lot fills up during peak hours. Another lot available across the street. *Clean Bathrooms available* Go up a small incline, then down, round the corner, head straight away, then BAM, one LOOP is done. ~1.8 miles in the books!!! Trail is paved and wide enough for all. Scenery is a little dry and not much color. Thankful for vibrant trees in the background and the crawling caterpillars, gives us hope for the beauty it will become. When you're at the top, you get to see the wonderful 405 fwy. Hehe! With that said, it's a very VERSATILE trail! Whether it be a family hike, a stroll for our furry friends (pick up your dog's poop please) or a Spartan trainer, who wants to do multiple loops around a trail. This is a great trail to see your destination and NOT get lost. A morning hike will definitely brighten up your day and leave you feeling REFRESHED!!! read more

Quail Hill Trailhead - Wide and well paved trail - Hiking Near Me - Irvine, California

LOVED my engagement photos that were done here. I can't say too much for the hiking aspect of it except that it seems to go up hill and not have any shade. But for pictures, if this is the look you're going for, would recommend it! We took pic's all in the beginning and a little bit above the front of the trail, even took pics crossing the rope like a lot of other people. The sunset pics came out terrific! I posted them on Instagram and everyone loved them and said how every single picture was beautiful. My and my husband wore white, I wore a white dress and he wore white long sleeve with jeans. With the beige background and sunset, pics were perfect! read more

Beautiful. Peaceful. Worth it. It's lovely to enjoy a mindful walk with toddlers. Bring water!

Beautiful, well maintained trail in the middle of Irvine. This area offers clean bathrooms and free parking with plenty of spaces. It's family and dog friendly. This trail is an easy walk along rolling hills. There's a paved trail along with a dirt trail. We saw families with strollers, many dogs and mountain bikers. It's sunny with little shade so bring hats, sunscreen and plenty of water! There are lots of scenic spots for pictures. Great place to get out and enjoy a walk in Irvine. read more

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Hadn't visited this location in a few years. I'm glad that I revisited. My friend and I really enjoyed our 10 mile hike. I appreciate the fact that there's enough restrooms and they're maintained clean. I have never had an issue with parking. There's plenty of parking spots. read more

Such a cute easy clean trail Parking is easy and there are public restrooms nearby. A very open land space with a few trees read more

Irvine is so built up so it's nice to have a little piece of nature in a convenient location. Quail Hill is not a very lush trail but it is filled with lots of birds and other wildlife. I didn't see any big critters but I did see several beautiful hummingbirds. The hike/walk is very easy and accessible for people of all ages and abilities. I even saw some people pushing strollers! I actually really enjoyed doing the 1.8 mile loop in the reverse direction so that you come to the vista point at the end. This makes the uphill a longer, milder incline, and the downhill is shorter and steeper. If you really just want the views you can also just go straight to the vista point and back (probably about 0.5 mile total). I saw several couples taking their engagement pictures here at "golden hour." Unlike some of the other amenities in the Quail Hill area, this trail is open to everyone and not just Quail Hill residents. There are some simple bathrooms at the trailhead and plenty of parking. read more

I'm actually really happy I came here. I got here at 8am on a Saturday and I was surprised that there weren't many people. I would definitely recommend coming early to avoid a crowd and the sun. It was nice and gloomy and quiet. Truly amazing. And since it's Spring, it was beautiful seeing the greenery and flowers blooming. I ended up parking across the street at the community center and walking over to the trail. Easy and quick hike that loops in a circle. I took my time and finished within 40 minutes. There were so many snails on this trail. Please watch where you step. I was looking down quite a bit to make sure not to step on one. In addition to the snails, there was a lot of dog poop (sigh). Definitely watch out for that! I don't understand how people can't even pick up their own dog's doo doo. Also, get ready to come across fuzzy caterpillars!!! I saw so many of them towards the end of the trail. They were beautiful! Now is honestly the perfect time to come since it's spring and everything is starting to grow and bloom. Freeway was visible but wasn't an issue. There was also a fire station nearby, which was pretty cool. I enjoyed the rustic fencing as well. There's, I'm assuming, another trail called shady canyon nearby and that was fun to do as well. More spacious and loved the views. There's a bicycle path next to the trail and it can get busy with cyclists so be careful! This is definitely one of my favorite trails. Can't wait to come back. read more

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The hike itself was a great short hike in a loop. It has a gentle elevation change and beautiful views of the surrounding hills. Regarding covid precautions, I would have preferred more masking up, especially with the current surge in cases and the California mask guidance stating everyone must wear one outdoors. There were still plenty of people not wearing masks, but for the most part, people were respectful and kept enough distance apart. My main issue was seeing how many people were straying off the trail in order to take photos among the bushes, even right in front of signs saying to stay on the trail. You can see all around the entrance where people have trampled and flattened the vegetation in the name of getting that perfect instagram picture. I've also attached a photo showing just how many people were doing this. This behavior is damaging a natural environment and it's very depressing to see so many people blatantly disregard the ecosystem. If you go here, PLEASE STAY ON THE TRAIL. read more

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Love this trail. Came here for the first time pre covid and got a parking spot and the first thing you see if the restrooms and trail entrances. Perfect trails for anyone, we didn't end up going on the uphill trail only because it started sprinkling a little and didn't want to be stuck with our kids in the rain. We did however take the trail that goes to the right and enjoyed our time here. Lots of people on the trail. Everyone was very kind and said hi when passing! We came during sunset and it was beautiful. The restrooms were in great condition compared to other parks I have been too. If you cannot park at the actual park you can try the shopping center near by - it would just be a walk to get to the trail. Overall I would return to this park. read more

Quail Hill Trailhead - Hiking Near Me - Irvine, California

Set in the unforgiving wilds of Irvine. A place populated by any number of blighters and beauties that will kill you. Kinda like Australia. You will dodge "beware of rattlesnakes" signs and be confronted by "stay on the trail" admonitions. 'Tis true, lads...Stay off the moors. Thar be strange things afoot. If a tinkle you must take, a fine depository is on site. If it has rained within a fortnight, take care lest you be afflicted with mudfoot! These are the grounds under which Frazier rests! Ye shall survive only if ye be lucky! Them that die will be the lucky ones, some say. Look to yer right and behold the Golden Road (405)!! It is the road of Kings. STICK TO THE ROAD! STAY OFF THE MOORS! read more

I was looking for a short hike this morning to just get my blood going and I found this 1.8 mile loop trail. I drove to it and it was easy to find. The only confusing part is at the round-about it says Sandy Canyon one direction and Quail Hill the other direction. LISTEN TO THE GPS..the entrance to the parking lot is actually in the Sandy Canyon direction. After that, there is a well marked entrance and then after parking, the trailhead is at the edge of the parking lot. It's actually almost directly in front of the entrance at a 45 degree angle. It is literally a big circle and fairly flat. I went in the morning around 7 am and it was so beautiful. There was fog in the distance toward the other side of the trail and I couldn't wait to immerse myself in the cloud. I WAS IN A CLOUD and it felt so good. The coolness on my face was very refreshing. There were crows flying overhead. I saw a raven and a road-runner in the parking lot. The chirps in the morning turned out to be lots of sparrows, namely I saw a white-crowned sparrow. There are numerous vole holes along the path and rustling among the dried reeds. The only downside was the sun came up high when I was making my way back to the entrance and the sun was in my face. I wished I brought my sunglasses. It was also fairly empty..just me and a runner that zoomed by me. I'll be back! read more

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Nice and easy trail for a January morning. I bet it could get hot out here as others mention since there's no shade. The rating is for an easy walk, not for serious hikers. The lot was full Sunday morning so we parked up the hill and across the street at the community center. There are plenty of open spots over there. I knocked down one star because people don't seem to pick up after their dogs. read more

Quail Hill Trailhead - Hiking Near Me - Irvine, California

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Great 2 mi trail in the open fields. Very nice. You can finish up across Shady Canyon street at one of many restaurants.

Family and dog friendly trail that is a loop. Round trip is 1.8 miles. Open area and no shade. Parking lot can be full if you come at a later time. read more

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Great 2 mile loop for tiring out puppies! The terrain is mostly flat, but unshaded. On my "hike" here I did the loop with my puppy and then detoured to the offshoot trail and did another two miles. I'm not sure how far the off shoot trail goes but will find out on our next trip here. Ample parking and no wildlife encounters (this time). read more

Quail Hill Trailhead - Perfect loop for tiring out puppies - Hiking Near Me - Irvine, California

My friend and I came here for a morning stroll late Sunday morning. Of course, on the hottest day of June and this place has ZERO shade. Two mile loop that allows dogs and bikes. Smoking is prohibited! Rattlesnake warnings but only saw lizards every 5 feet. Avoid this "trail" if your dog LOVES to run after lizards. I wouldn't recommend you to come out of your way for Quail Hill. It's okay if you live like 10-15 minutes away. Now that it's summertime, it is completely dry and dead. No more flowers or anything green in sight here. Pros: - Free parking, but DO NOT leave any valuables in your car - Clean restrooms by the beginning of the trailhead - Flat as can be - you won't be out of breath at the end read more

We did this about 10:30 in the morning which was probably dumb because it was very hot this Veterans Day (11/11/21) (btw...thank you to all the Veterans for their sacrifices so that my family & I have our freedoms in life & enjoy this little trail..THANK YOU!) It was hot & there's no shade but we did wear hats and of course brought water We moved from Utah this past summer and so we are used to a lot of greenery and flowers but someone told me it will be very pretty and green in the spring-March/April. I think it will be a great area to do a run... just probably earlier in the morning or later in the evening. I was sad I didn't get to see any snakes! But I did see a cool spider & a beautiful camouflaged mantis! My D thought she saw bird eggs lol! But alas it was just some white animal poops of some sort It's easy to walk because it's flat & loops around & probably took us about 45 minutes to an hour?(of course we stopped to look at spiders & other "things" we saw) I think it will be a nice place to walk in the evening or in the early morning so I can have some alone thoughts to myself (or if my lovey hubby would dare go!....he's not a nature lover though!) read more

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Beautiful spot for walking and taking pictures! If you're looking for a place to take unique engagement pictures I definitely recommend to wear white and take pictures around 5:00pm-6:00pm at the field that I have posted. P.s: for those who wondering I'm standing on the trail and have cropped the fence for a better shot!:) read more

Quail Hill Trailhead - Hiking Near Me - Irvine, California

Beautiful and clean trail. My friend and I came here after a rainy day and the weather was just perfect for a Sunday stroll. We got here around 10am and the small parking lot was already full. Luckily we both waited until a car left and were able to park. We started on trail loop clockwise and it took about an hour to make it back to the beginning. There is no incline and the trail is marked clearly. Afterwards we walked down and across the street to Nekter for a post-hike smoothie. read more

Quail Hill Trailhead - Hiking Near Me - Irvine, California