Tecolote Canyon Trail is a 6.7 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near San Diego, California that features a river and is rated as moderate. 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
Kid friendly
Hiking
Nature trips
Walking
Bird watching
Running
River
Views
Wild flowers
Bugs
A relatively flat, easy to walk trail with a few steep inclines (as long as you keep to the west) with a few creek crossings after rains toward Genesee. While this route is an out-and-back, there are plenty of different side routes leading up and out of the canyon to the surrounding neighborhoods offering a choose your own adventure type hike. The trail transitions from a fire road to a single track. The trails surroundings transition from the south end to the north end. At the north end there is great tree cover and shade as you're walking near the creek (not the cleanest). At the south end theres low plants and you'll be exposed to the sun. Keep an ear open for approaching mountain bikes.
At the Via Las Cumbres entrance there are no facilities and street parking only. The Tecolote Community Park that is just over a mile to the west has public restrooms, a nature center, and a large parking lot.
Sat Jul 11 2020Sat Jul 04 2020Had to turn around near the end, trail is washed out. nice walk though
Sat Jul 04 2020Nice and shady in several areas further in! Loved this spot
Thu Jul 02 2020Good trail if you like big hills!
Tue Jun 30 2020An excellent trail with lots to see. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Sun Jun 28 2020Nice easy trail with wide paths for our 1 year old. People were nice, respected social distancing and wearing masks.
Sat Jun 27 2020It's a very easy kid friendly trail. Very little shade. Bring bug repellent for mlm mosquitos. Friendly people walking by
Sat Jun 27 2020Kids 3 Years up ideal 0 - 2 years tail isn't the best for strollers
Sun Jun 21 2020Convenient trail in San Diego, but there’s nothing really special here. Also, there’s a lot of dog poop along the trail.
Sat Jun 20 2020Sandy and big hills
Sat Jun 20 2020Lovely!
Tue Jun 16 2020This was insane! The first part of the hike is super flat and easy-- I was confused why people were saying it would take around 3 hours to walk ~6.5 miles. However, soon you reach the hills and THEY ARE CRAZY. I was only able to go up around three of the massive inclines because my brother didn't want to do it. It's really steep, so bring good shoes and prepare to get your hands or butt dirty.
Sun Jun 14 2020The best canyon trail I have ever hiked. Half of the trail route is covered and along a creek.
Sun Jun 07 2020I would recommend this trail. It’s a little bit challenging if you don’t have conditioning, but it’s fun. Stick to the right side for the harder side. There’s 5 hills(2 miles long), each one getting steeper then the one before until the last one. Then you turn back and do it again. After the hills it’s an easy breeze back. Hope you guys like it as much as I did. -Roberto (BeastMode) Venegas
Thu Jun 04 2020Wed Jun 03 2020Def some steep inclines if you stay the right. Great hike!! Bring water not much cover from the sun the 1st couple miles or so.
Sun May 31 2020An easy path and a harder path. Follow the power lines for a steeper challenge
Mon May 25 2020Thu May 21 2020Tecolote is definitely an easy and fun trail. It has a lot of nice flowers, creeks and even a swing hanging from a tree. The first part is along the golf course and is the only challenging part of this hike, as it’s steep uphill, but once you pass that, it’s super easy hike. The map is not exactly accurate as many of the paths are overgrown or erosion made it impossible to go on it. So we have to switch some paths. There is not much elevation overall, so I consider this as more of a walking than hiking. Good for running.
Thu May 14 2020trail.is well kept no shade bring alot of water good walk with the dog some views once you get passed the golf course
Mon May 11 2020Underneath power lines, not very scenic, right next to neighborhoods and next to a golf course. Doesn’t feel like a hike, more like a walk.
Sun May 10 2020Slippery, very challenging at the end. Love it!
Sat May 09 2020I would definitely recommend this hike. SDG&E recently cleared out a lot of brush.
Sat May 09 2020Fri May 08 2020Seems easy at first but then a few really big hills. Great hike. Bring water.
