01
Best first stop near Tarina
Hagen Canyon Nature Trail
Red Rock Canyon State Park • Short Desert Canyon Loop • Easy Scenic Sampler
A compact loop that threads through hoodoos, tilted rock layers, and classic Mojave desert terrain just south of Tarina.
If you only have time for one quick walk near town, Hagen Canyon is the obvious choice: it delivers big red cliffs and sculpted formations with very little effort. The loop is short, mostly gentle, and easy to follow, making it accessible for newer hikers and families. Go early or late in the day for softer light on the canyon walls and cooler temperatures under the wide-open sky.
02
Best for sunset colors
Red Cliffs Nature Trail
Ricardo Campground Cliffs • Scenic Badlands Ramble • Golden-Hour Favorite
A mellow trail that winds beneath towering red and cream cliffs, with plenty of side paths to poke around the maze of washes and gullies.
Starting near Ricardo Campground, this trail gives you that classic postcard view of Red Rock’s striped cliffs looming over the desert floor. The walking is straightforward, but the terrain invites exploration, with small washes, alcoves, and viewpoints branching off the main path. It shines in the late afternoon when the cliffs catch the last light and the shadows carve extra depth into every ridge and groove.
03
Best spring bloom hike
Short Canyon Trail
Short Canyon, North Of Highway 14 • Wildflower Canyon Trail • Seasonal Standout
A rugged canyon route famous for its spring wildflower displays and the feeling of climbing from desert floor toward the Sierra foothills.
Short Canyon is the hike locals start watching in late winter, waiting for the first big wave of wildflowers to roll up the slopes. The trail is steeper and rockier than the desert loops around Red Rock, but the reward is a riot of color on good years and expansive views back toward the Mojave basin. Bring extra water and sturdy shoes, and treat this as a half-day outing if you plan to push high into the canyon.
04
Best for strong hikers
Pacific Crest Trail at Walker Pass
Walker Pass High Country • High-Desert Ridgeline Route • Classic Long-Distance Feel
A choose-your-distance out-and-back along the Pacific Crest Trail, offering big views, quiet ridges, and a taste of thru-hiker life.
From Walker Pass, you can head either direction on the Pacific Crest Trail and immediately feel how the terrain shifts between desert and mountains. The grade is steady but can feel relentless, especially under a strong sun, so most local hikers pick a turnaround viewpoint rather than chasing mileage. It is an excellent place to experience the solitude and scale that define this part of Kern County, with wide ridges, sweeping vistas, and the occasional PCT backpacker passing through.
05
Best escape from the heat
Tehachapi Mountain Park Trails
Foothills Above Tehachapi • Pine Forest Mountain Park • Cool-Weather Getaway
A network of shady forest trails and viewpoints in the hills above Tehachapi, offering a cooler contrast to the open desert near Tarina.
When the desert floor starts to bake, locals head up to Tehachapi Mountain Park for cooler air and a different kind of scenery. The park’s loop options range from short leg-stretchers to longer rambles, winding through pines and oaks with periodic windows out over the wind farms and valleys below. It is a great choice for relaxed weekend walks, family picnics, or introducing new hikers to the nearby mountains without committing to a major climb.