01
Best lake loop
Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park
South Of Puddingstone Lake • Lakeside Multi-Use Trail Network • Best Close-To-Town Escape
A relaxed network of trails circling Puddingstone Lake with constant water views and easy access from town.
If you want a hike that feels like a mini getaway without leaving San Dimas, Bonelli Park is the move. You can piece together dirt paths and paved sections into anything from a short leg-stretcher to a full loop around the lake, with rolling hills and open views the whole way. Go early for cooler temps and calmer paths, especially on summer weekends when the park fills up with picnickers and boaters.
02
Best quick foothill escape
Horsethief Canyon Park
San Dimas Northern Foothills • Foothill Canyon Nature Park • Best For Quick After-Work Hikes
A tucked-away canyon loop that climbs just enough to feel wild while still staying close to the neighborhood.
Horsethief Canyon Park is one of those spots locals love because it feels hidden in plain sight. The main loop winds up through chaparral and scattered oaks, offering views back over San Dimas before dropping into a quiet little canyon. It’s short but surprisingly satisfying, especially at golden hour when the foothills catch the evening light and the city noise fades out.
03
Best fitness loop
Claremont Hills Wilderness Loop
Claremont Foothills • Wide Fire-Road Loop With Big Views • Best For Weekend Fitness Loops
A popular 5-mile loop on broad dirt roads with steady climbing and sweeping views over the valley.
Just a short drive east, the Claremont Hills loop is the go-to training hike for many in the San Gabriel Valley. The route is straightforward—wide paths, no tricky navigation—but the steady grade gives you a real workout, especially if you take it in the steeper counterclockwise direction. Aim for sunrise or early evening to beat the heat and share the ridgeline with runners, dog walkers, and hikers chasing those wide-open city and mountain views.
04
Best shady canyon hike
Marshall Canyon Trail
Above La Verne Equestrian Neighborhoods • Shaded Creekside Canyon Trail • Best Shady Option On Warm Days
A gently climbing canyon trail with plenty of shade, seasonal stream crossings, and a tucked-away feel.
Marshall Canyon is a local favorite when the temperatures climb because so much of the route weaves under oaks and sycamores along a small creek. The trail has a pleasantly gradual grade, with options to turn around whenever you’ve had enough or continue higher for quieter stretches and more elevation. Expect to share the path with horses and mountain bikers, and enjoy how quickly the suburban streets give way to cool, green canyon walls.
05
Best short summit climb
Potato Mountain Trail
Front Range Of The San Gabriel Mountains • Short, Steep Summit Hike • Best Bang-For-Your-Buck Summit
A brisk climb to a low summit with big views over Claremont, the Inland Empire, and the front range peaks.
For hikers who like their outings short and punchy, Potato Mountain delivers. The trail gains elevation quickly on a wide dirt road, so you’ll earn the view, but the relatively modest mileage keeps it doable for fit beginners and intermediate hikers alike. On clear days the summit feels much higher than it is, with wide vistas and the quirky tradition of decorated potatoes left by previous visitors adding a bit of local character.