A majestic, rolling mountain range forms the everyday background to life in the San Gabriel Valley - each sunrise, each sunset, each afternoon walk. If you are in the SGV, the mountains are with you: rugged in summertime, lush in spring, and glorious white in winter.
Hiking Trails
This nowhere-near-exhaustive list gives a few of the highlights of hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains.
Bighorn Mine Trail
This rugged hike to an historic mine affords magnificent views.
Bridge to Nowhere
A 10-mile loop takes you by this iconic, abandoned 1930s bridge.
Claremont Wilderness Loop
A relatively low-key walk immediately next to the eastern SGV. A side trail climbs to “Potato Mountain”.
Colby Trail
Nice hike from Glendora. Shady at first, but with views at the top. Glendora offers other family-friendly hikes such as Bonnie Cove Trail.
Cooper Canyon Falls
Hike to a waterfall... Bonus: redwood trees!
Fish Canyon Falls
A pretty hike to pretty falls. 5 miles.
Lewis Falls
Short and easy hike to a spectacular waterfall.
Icehouse Saddle
A very popular 7-mile out-and-back trip to superb views.
Mt. Baden-Powell
High-elevation hike that rewards with beautiful scenery.
Mt. Baldy
13 miles round-trip; a must-do for local hikers.
Skyline Trail, Hacienda Hills
A moderately easy hike with great views of the L.A. Basin.
San Gabriel Peak
A short, steep hike - surrounded by yellow blooms in Springtime.
Telegraph Peak via Manker Flat
A tough trail with 3,000 feet of elevation gain.
7 Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors in the SGV
Angeles Crest Scenic Byway
This beautiful 63-mile drive from Pasadena over the mountains to the town of Wrightwood is perfect for a Sunday drive - highly recommended for convertables and motorcycles!
Claremont Wilderness Park
Offering unspoiled wilderness directly adjacent to the suburbs of Claremont, the Wilderness Park includes a popular hiking and mountain biking loop suitable for almost any fitness level.
Mount Wilson Observatory
One of the world’s most famous and historically important observatories (once run by Edwin Hubble) is available for tours - and just minutes away from Pasadena.
Puddingstone Reservoir, Bonelli Park
For a family with toddlers or fur babies, this is the perfect suburban spot to stretch your legs, nestled in San Dimas with pretty pathways and parks around a manmade lake.
San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
Over 346,000 acres that include Mount Wilson Observatory, the Mount Lowe Railway, over 600 archeological sites, and petroglyphs hinting at human settlements from 8,000 years ago. Within a short drive of all San Gabriel Valley cities.
www.fs.usda.gov/visit/san-gabriel-mountains-national-monument
Whittier Narrows Recreation Area
This nearly 1,500 acre park near South El Monte allows for every kind of outdoor sports: hiking, boating, shooting, BMX, baseball, horseback riding, and more - and all in the heart of urban San Gabriel Valley.
parks.lacounty.gov/whittier-narrows-recreation-area
Route 2/Azusa Canyon
This scenic route north from Azusa to Wrightwood has been closed to traffic for over 40 years... but hope reigns supreme! The route is currently managed by CalTrans, and locals have lobbied many times for its reopening.