Looking for the best trails around Escondido?

Explore the best rated trails in Escondido, CA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Rose Creek Bike Path and Coastal Rail Trail. With more than 28 trails covering 139 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

Recent Trail Reviews

San Luis Rey River Trail

Super Saturday Ride

June, 2023 by kcombs55

Great ride with nice canyon views. Well kept with good underpasses at busy intersections. We will definitely do it again soon.

Bayshore Bikeway

A mid-day Wednesday loop

May, 2023 by dazwr

On a day trip to see my daughter in South Park, I took the 2 hour ride and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I rode through Downtown to catch the ferry, only had to wait about 10 minutes. I wound my way through Coronado before I figured out how to get on the bikeway. Then it was plain sailing.
I agree that the east side does not have the aesthetic and has more challenges, but since this is a major city and this is the industrial part, along with the Naval presence, I was pleasantly surprised that this bikeway exists. I took a minor detour by my missing my turn in the Bayfront area of Chula Vista, but then noticed the Bayshore Bikeway signs. Since I ride a Giant Rincon hybrid, I can handle the few instances the road section was potholed. It got a bit tricky passing the Naval Station between 32nd and 28th between folks coming in and out and road construction. I opted to take 28th to get back to my daughter's place.
I live in the San Gabriel Valley/Pasadena area, and I have learned to be a defensive cyclist, so this seemed quite tame and a nice 26 miler in a major city.

Mission Bay Bike Path

San Diego Local peeps

March, 2023 by drasla

My wife and I ride the Mission Bay bike trail all the time. Great scenery, but sometimes a little crowded.

Accordion

Escondido Creek Bike Path

Good for bikes, just what I needed

March, 2023 by max37w

Good for bikes, just what I needed

Rose Creek Bikeway

The shiniest of gems!!

March, 2023 by danignosci

This trail is amazing…butter smooth pavement, clean environment and great views. How every trail should be!!!

Rose Creek Bike Path

sketchy…

March, 2023 by danignosci

Have ridden this path a half a dozen times on group rides and there is always something sketchy going on on this path. Homeless, etc. have given us momentary hesitations, but have ridden through it without problem.

Mission Bay Bike Path

Relaxing bike ride by the bay

March, 2023 by annalisego

Smooth sidewalk. Not too many people out on this winter weekday.

Salt Creek Trail (CA)

A Challenging Escape to Beauty

January, 2023 by marie11

Paved, lots of elevation changes. Stunning scenery as it goes along the canyon. Be sure to keep going past the soccer fields to Pooch Park - we missed it the 1st time and it is the best part!! This trail is well designed and you go under busy roads.

San Juan Creek Trail

Nice Trail along the river

January, 2023 by marie11

It was hard to find how to get to the. It’s a nice trail- only sporadically scenic, but makes a great corridor along the concrete river embankment

Dana Point Headlands Trail

Great Hike! Not a bike trail.

January, 2023 by marie11

Fantastic views! Many steps and the city has elevators “temporarily “ out of order. Lots of up, down, steps. Worth the effort, the views are spectacular!!!

San Clemente Beach Trail

Nasty comments, No ebikes, no signs

January, 2023 by marie11

We are elderly and use peddle assist bikes. We NEVER speed through areas with pedestrian use. Both of us had so many people barking at us about being on the trail, and it be guy intentionally pushed me. When we finally unearthed a sign, it was very small - prohibiting e-bikes and peddle assist. Meanwhile bikers carrying surf boards are allowed. It was a horrible experience.

Bayshore Bikeway

Don’t call this “Bikeway”!

January, 2023 by robs59

To call this a “Bikeway” or even a “route” misrepresents the meaning of those words. Sure, the west side of the bay is lovely— a well-marked, separated and well-maintained bikeway with great views of the Pacific, sand dunes, and wildlife preserves. Unfortunately, the trip north from Chula Vista devolved from unpleasant to one of the most terrifying experiences I’ve had in 50 years of cycling. Riding alongside Harbor Drive on the segregated trail was ok; it is a busy road but the trail is fine. However, it is at S 32nd Street that the “route” became more of a suggestion. The trail map indicates a crossing to the west side of Harbor Drive, to the oncoming traffic side. How? Via a pedestrian bridge with only stairs. From there, the “bike lane” such as it is, changes from non-existent, to two way, to a one way lane heading against you (so that you are riding towards oncoming traffic on a very busy highway), then disappearing entirely, then returning as a single lane against you again. There was no indication of a north bound bike lane on the east side of Harbor Drive. It was when a Fed Ex truck and then a semi barely cleared the lane that we really felt we might not make it. Sanity returned, briefly, at the Hilton Bayfront, when a marked mixed use trail took us along the Bay again behind the Convention Center and a few hotels. It wasn’t long however before the “bikeway” became a pedestrian walk on which cycling is prohibited. My advice, travel south from the Del Coronado (I can’t vouch for the route from the ferry to the Hotel Del), but turn around when you reach Frontage Road. You will live longer.

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Accordion

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