01
Best in-town stroll
Michael D. Antonovich Trail — Walnut Creek Community Regional Park
In Walnut Along Walnut Creek • Shaded Creekside Path With Gentle Grades • Best Close-To-Home Walk
A relaxed greenbelt trail following Walnut Creek right through town, with easy access from neighborhood streets and local parks.
If you want something you can squeeze in before work or after dinner, this is the spot. The trail threads through a surprisingly leafy corridor with stretches of shade, broad paved and dirt sections, and frequent benches and cross-streets so you can tailor the distance. It’s ideal for casual walkers, families, and anyone easing into longer hikes before heading for the nearby hills.
02
Best for varied loops
Peter F. Schabarum Regional Park
South Of Walnut In Rowland Heights • Rolling Canyon And Ridge Network • Best Half-Day Hill Workout
A web of singletrack and wider trails winds through oak-lined canyons and open ridges with broad views toward the San Gabriels.
Schabarum is where many Walnut hikers go when they want real elevation without committing to a long drive. You can stitch together mellow canyon rambles or steeper ridge loops that quickly deliver views over the San Gabriel Valley. In spring the hills green up nicely, while early mornings year-round offer cooler temps and quieter trails.
03
Best lakeside escape
Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park
East Near San Dimas And Puddingstone Lake • Lakeside Foothill Loop System • Best Mix Of Water And Views
Undulating trails circle Puddingstone Lake and climb low ridges, mixing shoreline stretches with open-sky viewpoints.
Head to Bonelli when you want hiking with a classic SoCal lake backdrop. The loops here range from easy lakeside walks to longer circuits that add foothill climbs and glimpses of the higher San Gabriels beyond. It’s a versatile spot for mixed groups, where stronger hikers can tack on extra hills while others keep to the flatter paths near the water.
04
Best for golden-hour views
Turnbull Canyon Trails — Puente Hills
West In The Puente Hills Above Hacienda Heights • Exposed Ridgeline And Canyon Fire Roads • Best Sunset Skyline Views
Steady climbs on wide dirt roads and use trails lead to sweeping overlooks across the San Gabriel Valley and out toward downtown Los Angeles.
Turnbull Canyon is a go-to when you want a bit more edge to your outing without technical terrain. The grades will get your heart rate up, but the routes stay straightforward, and the payoffs come in the form of wide-open views that really shine at sunset on clear days. Expect limited shade, so locals typically time this one for cooler mornings or the evening golden hour.
05
Best training climb
Claremont Hills Wilderness Park Loop
Northeast In The Claremont Foothills • Popular Foothill Loop With Steady Climb • Best Training Loop For Bigger Peaks
A well-graded loop climbs from the edge of town into open foothills, drawing a steady stream of hikers training for higher mountain trips.
Claremont’s wilderness loop is one of the closest true training hikes for Walnut residents eyeing bigger days in the San Gabriels. The main circuit is short enough to repeat but climbs enough to feel like a workout, with long, open views as you contour around the hillsides. Go early for cooler temps and easier parking, and expect a friendly, fitness-minded crowd on most days.