Bowden Ranch Trail (High School Hill) is a 3.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near San Luis Obispo, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and running and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Dogs on leash
Hiking
Running
Views
Wild flowers
Wildlife
Muddy
Rocky
No shade
Private property
![Bowden Ranch Trail (High School Hill) [PRIVATE PROPERTY] Map](https://cdn-assets.alltrails.com/static-map/production/at-map/24502784/trail-us-california-bowden-ranch-trail-high-school-hill-at-map-24502784-1590537098-414x200-1.png)
The trailhead is located at the top of Lizzie St between houses (grassy area with No Parking sign). This is the segment that runs from the trailhead to the red tower located above SLO High school. Although this trail is relatively short, its rather steep and constant gradient make it somewhat taxing in the climb, and hard on the knees during descent.
August 4, 2020June 13, 2020The view is five stars easily but the steep rocky descent coming back is a death sentence for my knees, so just a four star for me.
April 24, 2020This was a great trail. I’d say that the beginning starts on the hi side of moderate.
April 17, 2020Steep and then runs onto private property. Great trail run, if you can gut it out.
April 11, 2020Pretty good hike. Really got our families heart pumping for beginner hikers. Intermediate as like hard for basic no experience hikers.
December 13, 2019Another favorite trail of mine for a quick morning workout
November 30, 2019Always a great hike. Still a bit muddy from the rains this week, but not very slippery. Wear good shoes!
October 28, 2019Great hike with some uphill challenge
September 27, 2019Very uphill. Saw a rattlesnake on my way up (so cool) and the view was stunning!
August 31, 2019Aggressive uphill for trail running. Long downhill to end it. But at the “T” it it is just running a ridge line. Keep your eyes peeled for snakes. Came across 1. Not sure the type. At the far end it becomes private property.
August 31, 2019I went up the trail as described here without recording. Chose a different way down which I recorded. The last section of the downhill is very steep. It was awesome to find a rope there to hold on to!! Overall beautiful challenging fun hike!
August 19, 2019August 14, 2019Amazing views of SLO - best to hike it in the morning during the summer as it’s very exposed. Descent is tough on the knees.
August 13, 2019rattle snakes out now 8/12/19
July 26, 2019Steep incline over the mile to the top. Amazing views!
July 24, 2019July 21, 2019Hot with very little shade. Good quick workout with a great view at the top
July 1, 2019Trail is up’hilly from the “getgo” ,the higher you go the rockier ,i even heard the sound of rattle snake “tail” in the bushes up top:) good pic taking .
June 2, 2019very steep invigorating hike to the top. super fast elevation gain but the views are the best in town.
May 20, 2019Muddy this evening.
April 23, 2019made loop from trailhead by 101
April 23, 2019came up by the freeway has rope to climb first part awesome views
April 14, 2019Great hike!! It’s steep, rocky and mostly in the sun, but a great workout!! The Google map linked from this site didn’t take me to the right spot for the trailhead, rather, the middle of an intersection. Go to Lizzy Street and follow it uphill where it dead ends with a private cul-de-sac. No parking here but plenty of free street parking on the way. Trail head is on the right, kinda hidden, next to a big utility pipe painted red. Enjoy this one for a good butt kicking workout!!
