01
Best overall summit hike
Terri Peak Loop Trail
Lake Perris State Recreation Area • Rocky Summit Loop With Big-Lake Views • Classic Local Workout Climb
A short, steep loop to the top of Terri Peak with big panoramas over Lake Perris and the surrounding mountains.
If you want a hike that feels like a real summit without eating your whole day, Terri Peak is the go-to climb. The trail is exposed and gains elevation quickly, so start early or near sunset and bring more water than you think you need. From the top, you get a 360-degree sweep of the lake, the San Jacinto range, and the patchwork of the Inland Empire below.
02
Best lakeside circuit
Lake Perris Loop Trail
Lake Perris Shoreline • Wide Multi-Use Path Around The Reservoir • Scenic Half-Day Outing
A long, mostly mellow loop that circles Lake Perris with changing views, birdlife, and plenty of spots to pull off and rest.
This is the hike locals use when they want some real mileage without technical terrain. The loop mixes dirt and paved sections, skirting coves, rocky points, and the dam, with periodic shade and picnic spots if you want to linger. Go on a clear day for reflections of the surrounding hills on the water, and consider walking only a section out-and-back if you’re not up for the full circuit.
03
Best close-to-town escape
Three Peaks Loop
Hills South Of Perris • Scrubby Hill Loop With Granite Outcrops • Quick After-Work Adventure
A compact loop over low, rocky bumps that gives you a wild feel and big views without a long drive from town.
Three Peaks is the kind of trail you hit when you have a couple of hours and need dirt under your shoes fast. The route undulates over bouldery hillsides, with open views toward Lake Perris on one side and the Menifee Valley on the other. Expect minimal shade and a mix of singletrack and rougher sections, but the payoff is a surprisingly quiet, close-in landscape that feels far from the streets below.
04
Best leg-burner climb
Box Springs Mountain – Two Trees Trail
Box Springs Mountain Reserve, Riverside • Steep Ridge Trail Into Chaparral Hills • Fitness-Focused Summit Push
A tough, sustained climb up Box Springs Mountain with sweeping city and mountain views that reward the effort.
Two Trees is where hikers and trail runners go when they want to feel the burn; it wastes no time gaining elevation. The path switchbacks up exposed slopes with classic Inland Empire chaparral, delivering big views over Riverside, Moreno Valley, and on clear days the San Gabriels and San Bernardinos. Start in the cool of the morning, pack plenty of water, and be ready for a steady grind on the way up and a quad-testing descent.
05
Best for relaxed nature walks
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
West Of Murrieta • Oak Woodland And Meadow Trail Network • Family-Friendly Day Trip
A gentle web of trails through rolling grasslands, shaded oak groves, and seasonal vernal pools, perfect for slower-paced hikes.
When you want a softer side of Southern California hiking, the Santa Rosa Plateau is worth the short drive from Perris. Trails wind through open meadows, past old ranch structures, and under spreading oaks, with boardwalks over vernal pools in good years. It’s an easy place to tailor a hike to your group, whether that’s a short loop with kids or a longer wander linking several trails for a full afternoon outside.