Here are 10 popular hikes in Orange County for the summer offered through the Orange County Hiking Club.
FOUR EASY BEGINNER HIKES
1. Upper Newport Back Bay
The hike: 752 acres of easy hiking trails with views of the Upper Newport Back Bay, minimal elevation gain and dog friendly. The Back Bay (Muth) Interpretive Center; note that the building is not visible from the street.
Where to meet: The Back Bay (Muth) Interpretive Center, corner of University and Irvine Ave., 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach.
2. Oak Canyon Nature Center
The hike: 58 acres of easy shaded trails minimal elevation gain, no dogs.
Where to meet: 6700 Walnut Canyon Road, Anaheim.
3. Salt Creek
The hike: 18 acres of crystal blue ocean, tide pools and sunny beach, no dogs.
Where to meet: 33333 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point.
4. Hicks Canyon Trail
The hike: This is a 16-acre park with trails and play areas, dogs on a leash.
Where to meet: 3864 View Park, Irvine.
FOUR MODERATE HIKES
1. Shady Canyon
The hike: A slow, easy-to-moderate hike 3.4 miles (one way) on a paved, but beautiful trail. Dogs OK on a leash.
Where to meet: Parking at Quail Hill Village Center Park in the Albertson's parking lot (Quail Hill Village Center). Cross the street and head south on Sand Canyon Avenue to the trail head on Shady Canyon Road, 6751 Quail Hill Parkway, Irvine.
2. Peters Canyon
The hike: 354 acres of multiple trails, lake and hills, moderate to strenuous depending on the route, dogs OK on a leash.
Where to meet: 8548 E. Canyon View Ave. Orange.
3. Whiting Ranch
The hike: 4,300 acres of rolling hills, multiple trails, moderate to strenuous depending on the route, no dogs.
Where to meet: Portola Parkway & Market Place, Foothill Ranch.
4. Aliso and Wood Canyon Regional Park
The hike: 4,000 acres of coastal hills, multiple trails, moderate to strenuous depending on the route, no dogs.
Where to meet: 28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel.
TWO STRENUOUS HIKES
1. Santiago Peak – Cleveland National Forest
The hike: Experienced hikers will enjoy summiting the highest peak in Orange County at 5,689 feet. This 16-mile round trip/single track trail will take most of the day and has an elevation gain of 4,000 feet. A four-wheel-drive SUV is recommended for the trip. Follow Live Oak Canyon Road to Trabuco Creek Road (a dirt road) and pass the volunteer fire station to the trailhead dirt parking lot on left (about 5 miles). The Holy Jim Trail leads up past the Main Divide Road to the peak.
2. Casper's Wilderness Park
The hike: 8,000 acres of beautiful scenery and wilderness in the Santa Ana Mountains, moderate to strenuous, day use or camping, equestrian and shower facilities, no dogs.
Where to meet: 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.
If you would like to go on these hikes or many others offered by the Orange County Hiking Club, you can join the club at oc-hiking.com
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