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Ventura County Hiking Trails

Hiking and Backpacking Trails in Ventura County


Ventura County has the highest peaks in the Los Padres Forest which include Mount Pinos (8831', 2697 m), Frazier Mountain (8017', 2444 m), and Reyes Peak (7525', 2294 m) in the Transverse Ranges. The uplands are well-timbered with coniferous forests, and receive plentiful snow in the winter. Mount Pinos is sacred to the Chumash Indians. It is known to them as Iwihinmu, and was considered to be the center of the universe; being the highest peak in the vicinity, it has a spectacular view, unimpeded in three directions. We have gathered some of the best hikes for the region below.
A total of 47 Ventura County Hiking Trails are currently available. ×
Agua Blanca Trail - 12.44 Miles
19W10 • Sespe • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
In the 1930's the U. S. Forest Service, using C.C.C. (Civilian Conservation Corps) labor, improved an old Chumash trail that followed Agua Blanca Creek up the canyon. It was a popular trail because of the good hunting and fishing in the canyon. The trail begins at Festers Camp at the junction of the…
Alder Creek Trail - 5.95 Miles
20W11 • Sespe • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
Take Highway 126 to Fillmore. Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat. This is a rough dirt road that is traveled by large oil trucks. Continue on to the end of the road at the Dough Flat trailhead. Sometimes the gate is locked and you have to walk an extra 5 miles…
Boulder Canyon Trail - 4.75 Miles
23W03 • Non Wilderness Area • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
The Bolder Canyon Trail can be accessed either from Pine Mountain Campground or from the HWY 33 at the Ozena Station, the trail climbs steeply from Ozena which is at 3500 feet elevation asending up to the summit and Pine Mountain Campground at 6500 feet. This trail is located…
Buck Creek Trail - 11.10 Miles
18W01 • Sespe • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
This trail begins at the old Hardluck Campground on Buck Creek Road and follows Piru Creek before eventually ascending to the ridge between Sewart Mountain and McDonald Peak. Though it is still possible to connect the two trailheads, most hikers don't…
Bucksnort Trail - 2.99 Miles
19W18 • Sespe • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
The Ventura County Hiking Trails is a beautiful 0.1 mile trail in the Wilderness in . The trail connects the Agua Blanca Trail (19W10) and the Alder Creek Trail (20W11). Please let us know if you have explored this trail recently. Protecting…
Cedar Creek Trail - 5.80 Miles
21W10 • Sespe • Ojai Ranger District , Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
A beautiful trail located in the Sespe Wilderness, the trailhead is located on Thorn Medow Road (7N03B) a short side road off Mutah OHV Road (7N03.2). The Cedar Creek Trail connects Thorn Medow Road (7N03B) and the GeneMarshall-Piedra…
Chorro Grande Trail - 5.02 Miles
23W05 • Non Wilderness Area • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
From Ojai, take Highway 33 north 25.8 miles to the Chorro Grande Trail sign. For first-timers, the sign and nearby parking space is easy to accidentally pass by, so slow down a few miles before where you think the trailhead is. From the trailhead, hike 1.7 miles across chaparral to Oak Camp where…
Cozy Dell Trail - 1.88 Miles
23W26 • Non Wilderness Area • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
The trailhead is located 3.3 miles north of Ojai and .1 mile south of Friends' Ranch Packing House. Do not park in the parking lot of the packing house.  The trail ends at Cozy Dell Creek, where it ties into the Foothill Trail and Cozy Dell Road. From this junction, a loop can be made by following…
Deal Connector Trail - 0.83 Miles
24W09 • Non Wilderness Area • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
The Deal Connector Trail is a short connector trail just outside the Dick Smith Wilderness, located in Ventura County. The trail starts from the Highway 33 and then joins with the Deal Trail (24W04) after 1 mile.
Deal Trail - 6.10 Miles
24WO4 • Dick Smith • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
The Deal Trail is a 6 mile trail that is partially in the Dick Smith Wilderness, in Ventura County. The trail begins from Highway 33 and the completes at the Rancho Nuevo Trail (24W03).
Don Victor Trail - 4.82 Miles
25W03 • Dick Smith • Santa Barbara Ranger District • Ventura County
The Don Victor Trail is a very rough 5 mile trail in the heart of the wild Dick Wilderness, located in Ventura County. The trail connects the Puerto Suelo Trail (3E08) and the Loma Victor Road (7N05). There are two ways to access this trail, one option…
Dry Lakes Ridge Trail - 4.97 Miles
Not a F.S. Trail • Non Wilderness Area • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
Geography Dry Lakes Ridge is located in northern Ventura County, and entirely within the Los Padres National Forest. Dry Lakes Ridge is a east-west-trending range, as are all the mountains within the Transverse Ranges. It is bounded on the north by Sespe Creek…
Exploration Trail - .30 Miles
21W04 • Non Wilderness Area • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
A very short day hiking trail at Mc Gill Campground. The trail climbs up a small hill, a bench is located at the end of the trial which has a great view of Cuddy Valley. 
Fishbowls Trail - 7.79 Miles
21W05 • Sespe • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
The Ventura County Hiking Trails is a scenic 0.1 mile trail in the Wilderness in County. The trailhead is located off Grade Valley Road (Mutah OHV Road (7N03.2)) at , . The trail connects the Grade Valley…
Foothill Trail - 1.63 Miles
22W09 • Non Wilderness Area • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
The Ventura County Hiking Trails is a senic 0.1 mile trail in the in Ojai,  County. The short trail connects the Cozy Dale Trail and the Cozy Del Road 5N34. You can continue on to the Gridley Trail (22W05)
Gridley Trail - 5.45 Miles
22W05 • Non Wilderness Area • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
This trail starts in Ojai at the north end of Gridley Road and ends on top of Nordhoff Ridge. The relatively gentle climb from Ojai to the ridge makes this one of the more popular trails in the area and is an excellent choice for a day hike.
Horn Canyon Trail - 4.92 Miles
22W08 • Non Wilderness Area • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
The Horn Canyon Trail begins just before you enter Thacher School, be sure to follow the 'HC' signs that point you to where the single track begins.  Once on the trail, you cross the creek a few times before a steep climb up to The Pines Camp (2.7miles) and ultimately Nordhoff Ridge Rd.
Howard Creek Trail - 2.85 Miles
22W26 • Non Wilderness Area • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
The creek is named for Jeff Howard who came to the area in 1875 and established a mountain cattle ranch in 1877. Jeff shot and killed a Basque sheep herder who had run his sheep on Jeff's pasture on Rock Creek. Sentenced to prison, he escaped and fled to Arizona. He was returned to Ojai and then once…
Johnston Ridge Trail - 9.30 Miles
20W12 • Sespe • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
The trailhead is near Mutau Flat, located in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District. After a rolling three miles, the trail drops steeply into Hot Springs Canyon. There is no water and little shade along the first seven miles of the trail. After 8.5 mile from the trailhead, a side trail leads into Hot Springs…
Last Chance Trail - 7.57 Miles
21W09 • Sespe • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
A beautiful trail in the Sespe Wilderness that connects the Santa Paula Canyon Trail (21W11) and the Red Reef Trail (21W08). At Cross Camp are several large waterfalls and deep pools that provide excellent swimming spots in the bottom…
Lion Canyon Trail - 5.62 Miles
22W06 • Sespe • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
Drive 14.8 miles north of Ojai on Highway 33. The trail starts at the back of Middle Lion Campground in the Rose Valley Recreation Area where it immediately crosses the stream. You will reach two trail junctions along the way. After 1.3 miles you will reach the Rose-Lion Connector Trail (22W16) on…
Little Mutau Trail - 6.29 Miles
20W10 • Sespe • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
The Ventura County Hiking Trails is a remote 0.1 mile trail in the Wilderness in . The trail connects the Johnston Ridge Trail (20W12) and the Alamo Mountain Road (8N01.3). Little Mutau Creek flows westward from Alamo Mountain…
Matilija Canyon Trail - 4.03 Miles
Not an offical trail • Matilija • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
There are efforts underway to build a new trail up Matilija Canyon called the Matilija Falls Trail.  Stay tuned and email INFO@LPForest.org for more information.
Mcgill Trail - 3.65 Miles
21W02 • Non Wilderness Area • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
An popular mountain biking trail located on Mt. Pinos, this trail has great views of Cuddy Valley. The trail head is located off Cuddy Valley Road at , just pass the Y in the road. You can also start from Mc Gill Campground.
Middle Sespe Trail - 7.38 Miles
22W04 • Sespe • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
Drive to Middle Sespe Trailhead, 17.1 miles north of Ojai on Highway 33. The trailhead is on the right side of the highway Ventura County . The trail crosses Sespe Creek and follows the old road. It then leaves the drainage and climbs over a steep bluff. Once you have reached the high point, you will drop down and…
Mt Pinos - Tumamait Trail - 4.49 Miles
21W03 • Chumash • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
This trail runs along the crown of the mountain from Mount Pinos to Cerro Noroeste, Mount Abel, passing Sawmill Mountain and Grouse Mountain. Vincent Tumamait was a Chumash elder who died a short time ago and the trail was named after him.
Murietta Trail - 1.67 Miles
24W07 • Non Wilderness Area • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
Drive up Matilija Canyon Road 5N13 to the locked car gate. Hike up the road, crossing two creeks, then take the trail to the left and then about 1 mile to the campsite. This canyon was reported in folk tales to be a secret route for Joaquin Murieta, a Mexican bandit when he would visit Santa…
North Fork Lockwood Trail - 6.17 Miles
22W02 • Chumash • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
The Ventura County Hiking Trails is a 0.1 mile trail in the Wilderness in . Lockwood Creek North Fork Trail (22W02) starts at the Three Falls Boy Scout Camp in Lockwood Valley. This is a very steep trail. It is better to hike in from Mount Abel via the Mt Pinos - Tumamait Trail…
North Fork Matilija Trail - 7.82 Miles
23W07 • Matilija • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
Southern access point is the same trailhead as the Murietta Trail (24W07). Leading off to the right after the second stream crossing, the trail enters the wilderness and follows the year-round creek. From the gate you'll reach Matilija Camp after 1.48 miles. Further up the canyon are three more camps:…
Piedra Blanca Trail - 16.32 Miles
22W03 • Sespe • Ojai Ranger District , Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
The Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca Trail is a National Recreation Trail, The trail can be accessed from four locations: The Piedra Blanca Trailhead at the end of Rose Valley Road, Reyes Creek Campground, Cedar Creek Trail / Fishbowls Trail…
Pothole Trail - 5.31 Miles
18W04 • Sespe • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
From Highway 126, turn north on Piru Canyon Road. Drive 6 miles to the Lake Piru gatehouse and inform staff that you are hiking the Pothole Trail. There is no fee for accessing the Forest Service Trailhead, but they will give you a parking pass and ask a few questions about your trip. Drive approximately…
Potrero John Trail - 1.63 Miles
23W06 • Sespe • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
Take Highway 33 north of Ojai to the trailhead at mile marker 32.10. The trail is on the right hand side of the highway.  This trail provides a beautiful day hike following a stream channel into the Sespe Wilderness. It has running water most of the year. The trail ends at Potrero John Camp, but it…
Pratt Trail - 3.33 Miles
23W09 • Non Wilderness Area • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
Begin at the trailhead area located off of Signal Street heading north of downtown Ojai. The trail ends on Nordhoff Ridge, one mile west of the old Lookout Tower. The trail's lower section ties into the Cozy Dell Trail (23W26), Foothill Trail, and the Ojai Fuelbreak Road. This system of trails and…
Puerto Suelo Trail - Dick Smith - 3.05 Miles
26W20 • Dick Smith • Santa Barbara Ranger District • Ventura County
The Ventura County Hiking Trails is a remote 0.1 mile trail in the Wilderness in . The trail connects the Don Victor Trail (25W03) and the Alamar Trail (26W06). This trail has been flagged in 2015 but has not be maintained in a very long time. Please let us know if you have…
Rancho Nuevo Trail - 5.26 Miles
24W03 • Dick Smith • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
The Ventura County Hiking Trails is a senic 0.1 mile trail in the Wilderness in . In 1889 Ramon Ortego received a homestead Patent for property on the Potrero that he had been living on for a number of years. Ramon was a descendent of Jose Ortego who came with the Portola expedition…
Raspberry Trail - 0.57 Miles
23W42 • Sespe • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
Wild raspberries grow near the spring on the north face of Pine Mountain which gave this area its name. The campground is located about 1 1/2 mile down a steep trail starting at the west end of Reyes Campground. Water is available from the spring.
Red Reef Trail - 13.24 Miles
21W08 • Sespe • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
Park along north side of Highway 150 adjacent to Summit School. Hike one mile up Sisar Road to locked gate. Respect private property. Hike another 2.1 miles  until the Red Reef Trail leaves the road at a switchback. (If you stay on the road, you will reach Nordhoff Ridge after 4.5 miles). Follow…
Reyes Peak Trail - 5.61 Miles
23W04 • Sespe • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
Take Highway 33 north of Ojai to Pine Mountain Summit Road (6N06) at highway mile marker 42.50.  Turn right on the road and drive through Reyes Peak Campground.  Continue an additional mile to a parking area at the end of Reyes Peak Road. Hike about 100 yards past the barrier on the old roadbed. An…
Rose Lion Trail - 1.58 Miles
22W16 • Non Wilderness Area • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
This trail connects the Rose Valley Campground with the Lion Canyon Trail (22W06). The junction is 1.3 miles south of Middle Lion Campground. This trail gives hikers wonderful views northward toward Pine Mountain and provides access to the camps and waterfalls in Lion Canyon.
Rose Valley Falls Trail - 0.32 Miles
22W15 • Non Wilderness Area • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
A short walk starting at Rose Valley Campground leads to the base of the lower falls cascading over an arkosic sands tone cliff. Please do not climb around on steep sections.
San Emigdio Mesa Springs Trail - 5.71 Miles
22W21 • Chumash • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
The Ventura County Hiking Trails is a 0.1 mile trail in the Wilderness in . The trail connects the Toad Springs OHV Trail (22W01) to Puerto Del Suelo Peak - 7708 feet and the Mt Pinos - Tumamait Trail (21W03).…
Santa Paula Canyon Trail - 6.05 Miles
21W11 • Non Wilderness Area • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
Located in the Oaji Ranger District above Thomas Aquinas College. The Ventura County Hiking Trails is a 0.1 mile trail in the Wilderness in . The trail starts at Thomas Aquinas College and climbs to connect the Last Chance Trail (21W09)…
Santa Paula Peak Trail - 6.05 Miles
21W11 • Non Wilderness Area • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
The Santa Paula Peak Trail starts from Cieneg Camp and climbs up to Santa Paula Peak at 4975 feet, at one point in time you were able to access this trail from Fillmore, but due to private property restrictions the only access is from Santa Paula Canyon Trail. Please respect private property…
Sespe River Trail - 18.73 Miles
20W13 • Sespe • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
From Highway 33, travel east on Rose Valley Road to Piedra Blanca Trailhead. Starting from the parking lot at Piedra Blanca, the trail quickly drop down to the river crossing, after the crossing Lion Creek and Sespe Creek is the Gene Marshall Piedra Blanca trail junction. The…
Stonehouse Trail - 3.97 Miles
20W35 • Sespe • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
The Ventura County Hiking Trails is a creek side 0.1 mile trail in the Wilderness in . The trail connects the Johnston Ridge Trail (20W12) to the Piru OHV Trail (20W07). Please let us know if you have explored this trail recently.    
Thorn Point Trail - 3.46 Miles
21W07 • Sespe • Ojai Ranger District , Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
Thorn Point is located in the Sespe Wilderness, within the Los Padres National Forest.  About 20 miles southwest of Frazier Park, 90 miles from Los Angeles. This peak has a Lookout tower is very weathered has seen better days, but the tower…
Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail - 0.62 Miles
23W15 • Non Wilderness Area • Ojai Ranger District • Ventura County
This is a loop trail that leads through a riparian and chaparral habitat. The trailhead is on the west side of Highway 33, 1/2 mile north of the Wheeler Gorge Campground entrance. Due to the traffic on Highway 33, please be careful accessing the trailhead. You can download…