San Diego offers much more than its beautiful beaches and sunny weather. Whether you are an amateur hiker like myself or simply want to explore San Diego's peaks before summer ends, lace up your hiking boots, pack plenty of trail mix, and fill up those water bottles, because here are three popular hiking trails in San Diego that you must hike.
1. Cowles Mountain Summit
Located in the San Carlos Neighborhood, this trail provides beautiful vistas in every direction. At an elevation of 1,591 feet, Cowles Mountain Summit offers a 360 degree view of San Diego County. This three-mile round trip vertical climb will deliver a heart-pumping workout. The trail is quite narrow, so in order to beat the crowd, it is best to hike early in the morning or toward the end of the day. If you don't feel like hiking alone, no worries. Go ahead and bring your dog along, but don't forget the leash.
2. Mount Woodson
The ever-so-popular county-famous "Potato Chip Rock" is responsible for the numerous amount of hikers that this trail attracts. Located in Poway, California, the granite rock that hovers over the ridge near the summit of Mount Woodson is a must-see, or, should I say, a must-hike. With 2,000 feet of elevation gain, the trail is surrounded with unique rock formations. The hike is difficult and the trail offers little to no shade, therefore, hikers should be prepared with plenty of water. The eight mile round trip hike is worth the workout and the photo op it brings.
3. Iron Mountain
A moderate hike for hikers of all skill levels, the Iron Mountain trail features stunning views, big boulders, and beautiful wild flowers. Located near Ramona, California with an elevation gain of 1,200 feet, this is a promising leg workout. The trail begins with a ranch-style sign and some shade that does not last (so enjoy it while you can). The hike is about six miles on a well-maintained trail. Along the trail, hikers can expect to see plenty of wildlife. Due to its popularity, the best time to hike the trail would be during the week.
