Page 26 - SLO Visitors Guide - Spring 2025

26 SPRING 2025 slovisitorsguide.com
San Luis Obispo
Hike, bike, and explore San Luis
Obispo’s best trails and open spaces
San Luis Obispo is rich with trails
for hiking, cycling, viewing
wildlife, native vegetation, and
panoramic views of the coastline,
valleys, and mountains. The city has
preserved the natural beauty and
resources of thousands of acres of
open spaces at various locations for
the enjoyment of the public.
Most of the trails are leashed
dog friendly, but some of the trails
can be
challeng-
ing to a
dog or a
person
not in
good
physical
shape.
Trail
maps
and more
infor-
mation
about
open
spaces
and
hiking
trails are
available
online
from the Parks and Recreation
Department Ranger Services or call
(805) 781-7300.
Bishop Peak Natural Reserve
Bishop Peak is the highest of the
Nine Sisters volcanic peaks span-
ning 12 miles between San Luis
Obispo and
Morro Bay.
This reserve
has two inter-
connecting
trails totaling
nearly 8 miles
with varying
degrees of
difficulty.
Cerro San
Luis Natural
Reserve
Cerro
San Luis is a
1292-foot peak in the Nine Sisters
volcanic chain. Cyclers and hikers
are allowed on the 2.1-mile Lemon
Grove Loop. Hiking only is recom-
mended for the “M” Trail, a 2.6-
mile loop and a 640-foot climb. The
trails merge for about a half-mile
at one point. The trailhead is from
Carriage Road.
From casual
strolls to
challenging
peaks, enjoy the
views, wildlife
and invigorating
outdoors
Islay Hill Open Space
There are three different access
points to the Islay Hill Trail, ending
at a 776-foot panoramic view of
Edna Valley and the Santa Lucia
Mountains from this peak in the
Seven Sisters formation. Trailheads
are from Sweet Bay Lane, Spanish
Oaks Drive, or Huckleberry Lane.
Johnson Ranch Open Space
The Johnson Ranch Loop is a
two-segment trail. The 2.6-mile
segment is recommended for
cycling and the 2.3-mile segment
for hiking. The Filipponi Connec-
tor leads hikers to trails in the Irish
Hills Nature Reserve. The trailhead
is just off Highway 101 between San
Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach.
Laguna Lake Natural Reserve
Four intersecting trails bring
hikers and cyclists to Laguna Lake.
Two trails, the Allen K. Settle Trail
and the Lakeside Trail are ranked as
easy. Laguna Lake Upper Loop Trail
is an intermediate trail. Laguna
Lake Ridge Trail is expert only. The
entrance is at 504 Madonna Road
in San Luis Obispo.
Reservoir Canyon Open Space
Reservoir Canyon Trail is a
5.35-mile round-trip moderate
to difficult hike through oak and
eucalyptus groves, featuring water-
ways, a waterfall and a 360-degree
view from the top. Leashed dogs
are welcome. Mountain bikes are
prohibited.
Stenner Springs Natural Reserve
Stenner Springs Natural Reserve
trail system has seven different
trails that total a little over 20 miles
with varying levels of difficulty. The
shortest trail, the Stenner Creek
Trail to Elevator Trails is a 2.9-mile
moderately challenging loop. The
Outdoor adventures can be found in thousands of acres of open space.