10 Best Hiking Trails in Orange County

For adventure seekers looking for challenging hikes with stunning views to remember, Orange County is a haven located between the bustling cities of San Diego and Los Angeles. Orange County is home to a variety of trails suitable for hikers of all skill levels, from tranquil forest pathways to rocky coastlines.  There’s a lot to discover regardless of experience level, following are the 10 best hikes in Orange County CA, each with its distinct charm and adventure:

Peter Canyon Lake View Loop

This is one of the best hiking trails in Orange County that spans 3.4 km in the loop. It is an easy and kid-friendly hike where you can enjoy fun activities such as horse riding, hiking, and birdwatching. The plus point about this hike is, that it is welcoming for dogs and remains open for a whole year round. Hikers seeking tranquility in nature will find this trail as a peaceful haven in Peters Canyon Regional Park which is a treat for hikers amidst the bustle of OC. It takes approximately 49 minutes to hike through this adventurous trail.

Santiago Oaks Regional Park which lies on the eastern border of Orange County, draws the attention of tourists towards this challenging hike with varied ecosystems, known among the best hikes OC. It is a loop trail which is 3.5 km in length, a bit challenging for hikers that it might take about more than 1 hour to hike through this trail completely. The Oak trees lining up the trail and the presence of Peralta hills add beauty to this hiking trail, offering serene views of nature while you can enjoy mountain biking, bird watching, and hiking all along.

Explore the 5 km loop trail in the vicinity of Orange County which may take more than 1 hour to complete and is generally regarded as an easy route. Since it is one of the most well-liked hikes in Orange County among tourists, there are other fun activities that you can enjoy such as mountain biking, bird watching, and running. This route that gives stunning views is lovely to explore at any time of year and welcomes hikers all year round. Additionally, dogs are also allowed however they need to be kept leashed.

Explore one of the best hikes in Orange County which is a 9.2 km trail in a loop that takes time of an average of 2 hours and 31 minutes to complete. Moreover, it is generally regarded as a moderately hard hiking route for beginners. Even though this track is well-liked among travelers for mountain biking, jogging, and hiking where you can find a sense of peace and a quiet space for yourself to unwind and relax. The best time for hiking here is from January to October.

This 4 km loop trail is located close to the Orange County, CA. It takes more than 1 hour to complete this trail and is generally regarded as a quiet challenging route for hiking. Plus, it is popular for running, walking, and hiking, offering a relaxing experience that attracts visitors year-round.

Here’s to exploring this beautiful 9.2 km trail in a loop that lies in the vicinity of OC, offering serene views from the site. It will take no more than 2.5 hours to complete the whole trail and is generally regarded as a challenging trail for beginners. It may offer some fun activities for visitors to enjoy such as mountain biking, horse riding, bird watching, and hiking where you’ll get a chance to interact with new people as well. This route is open for hikers all year round and is dog friendly as well.

This is an easy 5.3 km loop hiking trail near Orange County. It typically takes just over an hour to complete, making it suitable for hikers of all skill levels. The trail is also popular for jogging and biking, and you might encounter other tourists along the way.

Capture the serenity while exploring Orange County’s 5.5 km loop trail that may require more than 1 hour to hike through this track and is usually regarded as a convenient route for hikers. This hiking spot is famous among tourists where they can enjoy bird watching, jogging, mountain biking, and hiking while taking in the tranquil sounds of nature.

Discover the beautiful 5.5 km loop trail that gives off serene vibes and may take about more than 1.5 hours to accomplish the hiking task. It is often regarded as a challenging route for hiking where you must beware of snakes, tarantulas, and bugs. You can also enjoy some fun activities including jogging, bird watching, mountain biking, walking, and hiking while you get to interact with other people on the way. Don’t forget to capture lots of memories around this beautiful landscape.

This challenging 11.9 km loop trail is located near Orange, CA. It typically takes about 3 hours to hike and is considered a difficult route. Popular with visitors, this trail offers various activities such as mountain biking, hiking, and bird watching. It's an excellent way to escape the hustle of city life and immerse yourself in serenity.