01
Best overall pick
Terri Peak Trail, Lake Perris State Recreation Area
Lake Perris Shoreline • Lakeside Climb On Well-Used Park Trails • Iconic Local Summit Hike
A short but steady climb above Lake Perris with big views of the basin and surrounding ranges.
Starting from the Lake Perris campgrounds or day-use lots, the Terri Peak route gains elevation quickly on a mix of dirt road and singletrack. On clear days you can spot San Gorgonio, San Jacinto, and the checkerboard of the Inland Empire spread out below the summit. Go early or in cooler months—this one is scenic but exposed, and summer heat comes on fast.
02
Best workout climb
Two Trees Trail, Box Springs Mountain Reserve
North Of Moreno Valley • Steep City-Edge Climb Into Rugged Open Space • Best For Strong Hikers
A lung-busting ascent straight out of the city into chaparral slopes with sweeping Inland Empire views.
From the neighborhood trailhead, Two Trees wastes no time heading uphill toward the ridgeline and the big white “M” above Moreno Valley. The grade is tough but consistent, and the payoff is a panorama that stretches from Lake Perris to the San Bernardino Mountains. Expect minimal shade and rockier footing near the top, making sturdy shoes and extra water mandatory.
03
Quiet forested escape
Simpson Park Trail Network
Foothills Above Hemet • Granite Boulder And Pine-Studded Park • Best For Wandering Loops
A maze of mellow to moderate trails winding through rock gardens and piñon pines above Hemet.
Simpson Park feels surprisingly high-country for being so close to town, with scattered pines, big boulders, and filtered views toward the valley. Short connector paths and signed junctions make it easy to stitch together custom loops for different abilities. The park can close during high fire danger, so it is worth double-checking access before you drive up the hill.
04
Best spring wildflowers
Wildflower Trail, Diamond Valley Lake
West Of Hemet • Open Lakeside Trail With Rolling Hills • Best Seasonal Show
An undulating path above the reservoir that shines in spring when the hills erupt in color.
Leaving from the marina side of Diamond Valley Lake, the Wildflower Trail traces the shoreline on broad, easy-to-follow singletrack. When winter rains cooperate, the slopes light up with poppies, lupine, and other blooms, making this one of the region’s classic spring walks. There is little shade and often a breeze off the water, so bring sun protection and a wind layer even on mild days.
05
Best nature preserve feel
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
Near Murrieta • Oak Savanna And Vernal Pool Preserve • Best For Slower Nature Walks
Gently graded paths through grasslands, woodlands, and seasonal pools with plenty of wildlife.
The Santa Rosa Plateau offers a network of well-marked trails that trade big climbs for wide-open scenery and quiet. You can stitch together loops that visit shady oak groves, historic adobes, and, in the right season, vernal pools teeming with life. It is the kind of place where you slow down, listen for birds, and watch the light change across the rolling hills.