Big Laguna Trail is a 13.3 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Cuyamaca, California that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
birding
camping
hiking
horseback riding
mountain biking
trail running
walking
lake
views
wildlife
Take Sunrise Highway from I-8 (near Pine Valley) and drive north 13.5 miles to just past the second cattle guard on the highway. Vehicles should park on either side of the highway on the paved turnouts. The access to the Big Laguna trail is via the Nobel Canyon trail that departs the western turnout and is marked by a small sign. Follow the Nobel Canyon trail about 100 yards to reach the Big Laguna trail junction. Directions from Mt. Laguna, CA: The trail is accessed from Laguna Campground or Penny Pines parking area along Sunrise Scenic Byway.
Robert E.
If you want to smell pines, this is it!
Started out at the entrance by Campsite and headed to the other end of sunrise highway.
You can pick up more trails to add elevation and mileage to make this “moderate”. You are above 5000ft above sea level - very temperate weather.
Make sure to download maps - cell signal is non-existent.
Good fun, nice family hike. Nothing too crazy
Had a blast, generally the trails were easy however there are moderate to difficult trails off the main loop. keep in mind this trail is in Cleveland National Park several thousand feet above sea level. there's a $5 entry fee (honor system) to enter the park and general parking is not well marked. the trail head sits at the center of a camp ground so I sort of made my own parking spot.
Great trail, great views
Done in March with not many people, not too hard mostly flat but beautiful, nice easy ride on single track.
An excellent hike for any skill level. I loved the different foliage all around. There are also several geocaches in the area which is fun if you're into that sort of thing.
Cañón de Guadalupe ta’ Cañón
Nice & easy
Cool area, low incline. Parking wasn’t obvious though, and lots of mountain bikers (campsite is right at start of trailhead).
We only walked about 10 miles. it has a fantastic meadow. There is water in 2 of the lagoons. The trail is narrow, and pretty flat.
Stunning scenery and great trail!
I took my dog to hike the sunset trail and ended up hopping onto the Big Laguna trail since it was such a beautiful day and I wanted a bit longer in the great outdoors. In total, we hiked about 6.5 miles last Sunday July 2nd. Beautiful scenery, the lagoons are full. Lots of cattle in the meadow. Not too strenuous, just keep in mind you are over 5000 ft altitude. More mountain bikers than hikers were present, but definitely not crowded.
Kel K.
Did this 30 June 2017- amazing! Great start in meadows and beautiful views from PCT last 6 miles.
Hiked this yesterday. It was pretty busy with large groups & lots of mtn bikers, but the scenery & the 2 lakes was worth putting up with the additional humanity. Definitely coming back to explore the side trails, too!
Nice long easy loop. Recommend hiking with a partner as I saw a lot of mountain lion sign.
Easy hike with Dad. Saw a lot of through hikers since this trail collides with PCT. Lotsa pretty red, yellow, blue, white and purple baby flowers blooming.
Easy and relaxing hike with great vista of Laguna Meadows and the Big Laguna Lake. Best time to check it out after the considerable rain experienced in San Diego lately.
An absolutely beautiful hike! Trail skirts the edge of a small valley, which is rimmed with pine trees and contains several small lakes, thanks to recent winter rains. Can't wait to get out again!
Easy
Nice mixture of terrain.
New to this area. Easy smooth trail.
Easy, nice views of meadow, mostly flat hike, you can avoid $5 day use fees at Laguna campground by a mile farther up on Sunrise hwy near Noble Canyon trail
Beautiful trail, lots of animals, really quiet, no water in the lagoon :( Lots of cows!
Biked this on an 82 degree sunny day on July 4 2016. There was nice breeze going so it felt like 75. Completed 10 miles by following the trails the follow the perimeter of the Big Meadow. I hit the trailhead from the El Pardo campground.
There was never a point that requird me to dismount from my mountain bike. It was nice and tight single track 90% of the time with only slight ascents and decents along the way. Good hiking or biking for the whole family. Nothing strenous about this trail. It's all about the wide-open beauty on this trip.
Great!
Teresa A.
It was a beautiful day for a hike, high 60's, off and on light cool breeze, some shade on the east side of lake. Hiked 8 miles. Don't forget to bring enough water, it's close to 6000ft in elevation. Lots of pine trees, green this time of year, wildflowers, and the lake has some water. It had been "bone" dry for about 2years. One of my favorite hikes!
My husband, our 27 year-old niece and I went on this great 10.5 mile hike on this cold fall day. Amazing views of Anza Borrego and beyond. Didn't run into very many hikers throughout the entire hike. Stopped several times to admire the views and take pictures and a few times for snacks. Took us 4 1/2 hours total. Will be back, amazing place.
This is a nice hike, you can make it as long as you want. in my track I took a bunch of pics but it never came out exept for the last one. we had a good day. though we had to make it short because it was late and we had our almost 2 year old son,but all in all it was a good little hike.I sugest you read Afoot and Afield is a book about trails in San Diego.
It was beautiful! I went end of May and it was very cold. You never know if it is going to be warm or cold in the mountains though. It was also foggy, but the way the fog hit the prairie was gorgeous, I am going again in August with a bunch of friends. It is pretty flat and on the top of the mountain so it is good for all skill levels.
Gerald S.
Beautiful hike on the day after Thanksgiving. It was sad to see that both lakes were dry but there was a puddle in one section. The trails are well maintained but there are a lot of bikers that can come around pretty fast and need to remember to yield to hikers. This is a great trail for geocaching too. I'd love to try it again after a snowfall.