Cowles Mountain

I'm going to update my review since it's been about 12 years. This is my absolute favorite hike in San Diego. It's intense so come early in the morning or later in the evening, unless it's cool out. It's about 30 minutes up and 30 minutes back down if you hike without stopping. About 10 minutes in, the intensity ramps up and then about 15 minutes in is about the most difficult. The last 7-10 minutes is all switchbacks, which are manageable until you get to the final switchback that takes you to the top. That last little bit is intense but you can see the top so it's maybe easier to keep going. The views from the top are amazing. You can see all of San Diego from there. I mean, down town, Point Loma, UTC, east county, even the ocean on a clear day. The way down is obviously much easier. Watch your footing though because it's super easy to turn an ankle on the uneven footing. If you "bound" down then you'll feel it in your knees the next day. Bonus points if you get to see sunrises and sunsets from here because they are amazing!!!

Updating my review since 2021. Very crowded. Can't say it's safe since someone got shot at here. However, if you go before 7am, you'll beat the crowd and enjoy the good workout. Any other times, good luck. Probably not the best hike for the summer, but a great colder weather workout.

Cowles Mountain has always been one of my favorite hikes in San Diego, beautiful views, a solid workout, and usually a safe, enjoyable trail. However, I'm sharing my recent experience as a warning for others to stay alert, especially around dogs. On July 22, 2025, around 8:AM, I was bitten by a dog while hiking. The incident was completely unprovoked and happened without any warning, the dog lunged and bit me near my left ankle. I've attached a photo to this review showing of what the dog's owner looks like. To make matters worse, the owner gave me a fake name and phone number. It was a painful and upsetting experience, and I want to make others aware that not all dog owners are responsible or honest. Please use caution around dogs on the trail, even in popular spots like Cowles Mountain. Despite this incident, it's still a great place to hike. Just be mindful, stay alert, and hike safely.

A classic hike that I like to walk every once in awhile! It has the right amount of incline, flat ground, and beautiful views for all ages. Parking is plentiful and can be found in their lot or on the street. It is a very popular hike to do in San Diego, so I would come at an off hour when the weather is not too warm for less crowds. It's nice once you reach the top and see the sign! Definitely makes me feel motivated to go all the way up.

Cowles Mountain offers a startling amount of scenery for something located within a major city. Pro/con of the main trail: you won't ever be the subject of a gruesome "hiker goes missing" saga as it's well-populated. But the non-isolation combined with the zig-zag means you may learn more about your fellow hikers than you might expect. On my recent visit three young gents described their dating conquests, with one in particular noting a successful visit that nonetheless remained within the guidelines of his religion. Another fellow provided an overview of Gaza to a geopolitical novice. I also got in trouble for attempting to talk to a dog. The trail is rated "difficult". It wasn't bad overall except for the few parts where there wasn't really a trail, just rocks. Years ago I made it to the summit. This time I had to settle for a "Rocky ending" where I didn't win but I endured. I got a mile up. In my defense, there was still a chance of rain, plus I was hoping for food, waterfront sunset and then more food. As a consolation prize for not getting to the summit, I briefly checked out the Barker Way trail. This diversion offers excellent mountain views but I didn't go the whole way as I wanted to keep an eye on the ocean. Geography note: you can get here by public transit but it won't be quick. The 115 bus goes a few blocks away.

Great spot for a fun hike. It is all uphill (except on the way back obviously). It is hard packed dirt, rocks, and boulders. You are in nature. There is a very clear path. But it can be a workout. And the harder (faster) you go the better it is. But you can turn around and go back down whenever you want. Lots of people from different backgrounds enjoy this hike, so be cool and friendly. Some people do bring their dogs on leash. Some kids and older folks do the hike too. Go for a slow walk, a quick hike, or a strong run. Just have good shoes, the right clothes, some water, maybe a snack, and positive vibes. Enjoy!

Top notch trail! If you start at the Big Rock park the inclines are killer. A little bit ok scrambling but the trail is very well maintained and very busy. Bring more water than you Think you'll need and wear shoes with good grip and support. There are bathrooms before you start up, in the park, and parking may or may not be limited. The views are to die for but the trail is steep!! Highly recommended !

I used to hike this all the time in my 20s. Back when I used to work out. In a whim I decided to hike this at 37 as a completely sedentary person. Holy hell was it brutal. It took my boyfriend 45 min to make it to the top. Again, I am not a fit person. There were people walking up this with small children and I saw at least 2 women in dresses. I probably looked to be on the brink of death. But either way, I completed the hike and my legs felt like the had been run over for the following 4 days. Best of luck!

Tranquil trail at sunset. Easy for new hikers and mostly pleasant during the cool of the day. I do not recommend hiking at night unless you're in a group and have a headlamp. There are rattles on this trail so be aware if you bring a dog. The trail is clean, well kept, and popular amongst San Diegans. I don't hike much and I thought it was easy.

Still one of my favorite hikes in San Diego. It's a really versatile hike that's done by the young, the aged, the extremely fit, the fit, the getting-fit, pets, and kids. If you're on the fitter side, you might add a weighted pack, or work on your speed. If you're getting fit, it's still doable, just take your time. Plenty of parking. I recommend getting here early, 6am-6:30am, to beat the sun. I recommend at least 16.9 oz. of water, but carrying a 32 oz. thermos with ice cold water would be great. Staying at a steady pace, and not spending time at the summit, you can make it up and down in 75-80 minutes. Wear good shoes, with solid traction, as it can be slippery when coming down. I believe the roundtrip is a little under 3 miles. Most of the people are friendly, and will often exchange pleasantries when passing by. It's one of my favorite things about this mountain. Have fun, get your sweat on, and most importantly, stay safe. If you are bringing a pooch, make sure to bring them some water as well. Stay Hydrated!

A classic trail in San Diego! This is a pretty beginner friendly trail that still leaves you feeling a bit challenged. It's 3 miles (round trip) and typically takes ~2 hours for most. There are quite a few rocks and it is quite the incline going up, but if you just push through, you'll eventually get that hiker's high and it won't be so bad. There are multiple peaks, but I encourage you to brave the trek up to the very top! You'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the entire city. Super super pretty. A true gem of a hike in the middle of the city. Note: Hiking shoes (or really great running ones) recommended!

Start early for a better experience. Takes about 30 to 40 minutes to go up and walking down isn't easier than going up. I sprained my ankle walking down uneven surfaces. Wear good shoes with grip.

At 1,592 ft, Cowles Mountain is the highest peak in San Diego. There are two main routes to the summit: 1. A paved service road with a steady incline 2. A scenic trail (which adds about a mile) Since I had hiked Cowles many times before, I chose the scenic route. This route always stays very busy since it is rather touristy. It's a 3 mile hike to the Summit and back. The paved road is a 2 mile hike to the summit and back. This is more uphill and less crowded. Be careful because all the loose gravel can make the footing tricky. There were actually firefighters helping someone that had injured themselves when I arrived. At the summit, if you follow the path near the antenna, it will lead you to Pyles Peak--a quieter 1.5+ mile out-and-back hike from Cowles summit. There is a parking lot you can park in or street parking. There's restrooms at the entrance near the scenic side. There is not much shade so be aware of that. This hike is kept very clean. I just find it to be a little more on the boring side. If you do the five peak challenge, I recommend doing this hike last because you'll be exhausted, and there's a lot of people that you can follow or chat with to help with the motivation. It's also less steep too despite it being the highest peak.

Beautiful day for a quick hike. Busy on the trail but people are usually nice to led you move through. Usually when I'm short on time or need a quick pick me up, this one of the spots I like to go to.

This is a hard but good hike! It was just under 5 miles and approximately 1,200 elevation gain. We started early on a Saturday morning and it took us about 2.5 hours to finish the hike. This includes the time we spent hanging out at the top of the mountain, enjoying the views and catching our breath. The hike is an out and back. There are a few different trails to get to the top of Cowles Mountain. Shade is limited and the trail was well kept.

Beautiful trail that's well worth the trip to the top! Luckily when we went it wasn't busy so we were able to easily get parking when we arrived in the afternoon. Definitely bring good footwear and water with you when you go. The 360 view at the top is incredible and you will get an awesome view of the surrounding San Diego area.

This is a great place to get your cardio up. Being a mountain, everything is up hill. There are no flat paths. I recommend hiking boots, but running shoes works too. You have to keep in mind, the smooth rocks and sand. This makes some areas slippery. Today I saw 3 people fall. All going down hill. The views are breathtaking. This includes the Rattlesnakes. Oh yes, there are rattlesnakes. You can see it in one of my pictures. Now me and my family are just starting our mountain hikes. So we made it only half way up. This mountain is great for novice and experienced hikers. One con, is that some people do not pick up after their dogs. So you got to watch out for poop. Some people also pick up after their dogs, but leave the poop filled bag on the trail. I will put an update, when I make it to the top.

Oh Cowles... you little beast, you. I must say though, I sure do love a Cowles Mountain hike. I've taken the time to hike Cowles a few times, mostly when I have folks visiting that want a fun little San Diego-centric physical activity and it never disappoints. That being said, there are some things you should know. - Hiking in the heat of summer? There is no shade so be prepared with sunscreen or breathable clothes that will protect you from the sun's deathrays. - Bring water! I mean, you'd be surprised how many people forget this. - Research the trails to the top. They are not all created equal and if you make the wrong choice based on your physical abilities, you may be sorry. - Dogs are a thing. Yep, if you bring your dog it's absolutely okay, and while I love pups, I know some people don't so be prepared to encounter some well-behaved-physically-fit-fur-babies. - Be prepared to spend some time at the top. You've done the work to get up there and you're now free to appreciate the reward - views for days of virtually all of SD. - Stop by a local biz after your hike! I mean, have you ever heard of The Trails Eatery? A fantastic Woman-owned business serving up some killer pancakes. There ya go, see you on the trail!

Go to spot for that "quick and dirty" hike to get you outside with a good work out when you don't have a lot of time! It's all incline to the top! Depending on the time of day it can be busy where you have to park on the street, and at times in the neighborhood. Some places have loose rocks and all dirt pathway so make sure you have some shoes with grip (although I've seen some people climb with some vans and even flip flops so maybe that's just me and my old ankles). Beautiful views at the top though, with the lake and views of San Diego!

Popular 3-mile hike with a steady climb and rewarding 360° views at the top. No shade, so go early and bring water. Quick, scenic, and a solid workout close to the city.

You can find the hiking video from this youtube channel https://youtube.com/@hikingtrails-4u

I climb the backside service road next to the Barker way trail as there is less foot traffic and is a smoother but steeper route to take. Pay attention to rattlesnakes as I've seen quite a few on my climbs over the years. I love going in the mornings especially when there is fog that you can see over as you are climbing. Great views of east county and lake Murray

Nice hike with beautiful views! Friendly people! Centrally located. Heavily populated. A bucket list hike for San Diego.

This is no joke! It is posted as moderately difficult but felt more difficult than that. The views are top are worth the effort. Nice wide trail. Gravel can be slippery, watch your step.

Solid hike in San Diego. It's like the must do hike for the new residents of San Diego. It's a not too difficult, not too long. Solid views of San Diego. Can't go wrong with this one. Parking is decent. They do have a small lot, but there's a lot of street parking. This place can definitely be busy though. Located in Mission trails park. Definitely worth doing, even though it can get pretty crowded. It's winter time.

This hike wasn't too bad. I'd say light to medium. Good workout and you will sweat a little bit but not overly strenuous. A lot of switchbacks so the climb is not overly steep. Nice views from the top. Parking pretty easy I enjoyed the hike

Had did a couple of hike and trails before doing this one and Cowles Mountain is bar far the best experience. Definitely worth the hike to the top at least once while in San Diego.

Hike: We chose a random 4-5mi route off Alltrails. It took us to Cowles Mountain's Summit, which at 1591 feet, is the highest point in Mission Trails Regional Park. We took some lovely photos along the way. Intensity: I would say moderate intensity hike, out and back. So whatever uphill you do will become downhill, and whatever downhill you did will become uphill on the way back! Not much shade, which didn't matter for a winter morning hike but may be an issue if you try to do a late hike in the summer Parking: We did free street parking because at 8AM, we already saw hikers street parking and walking toward the park. The lot attached to Cowles Mountain staging area already looked full. There is a bathroom here; I did not use it but it looked like a typical park bathroom

It's a zoo. Straight up. If you don't mind being around 100 other people at 6 am in the morning who are hiking this trail in flip flops with their music blasting, then you MIGHT just get a kick out of this place. Waaaaay too crowded. Way too many people not taking it seriously and coming unprepared. There are better hikes with better views in SD. But since I know that people will still come here (it IS a zoo after all), might as well give you the deets on the actual trailhead. The trail is a short 3 mile out and back with gradual inclining switchbacks that have no shade. It's best to start early. And when I say early, I mean at the crackus of dawn! 6 am apparently wasn't early enough since the parking lot was already full when I arrived. The parking lot is very small, but there is street parking... that seems to go on for miles since this is a popular hike. During the warmer months, you should definitely get there as early as possible because it gets extremely hot. The views on the way up get better and better as you get higher up the trail. There's nothing really spectacular about this hike honestly, but the views at the top are pretty nice. Unfortunately, you'll have to share them with half of the city since everyone and their mama will probably be there. I'm just not one for crowds, so this hike was a bit painful for me in that aspect. I'd highly, HIGHLY recommend NOT coming on a weekend if you have the luxury to do so. I think that maybe I would have enjoyed this hike more if I had come during the week. But in any event, it's a decent workout with some nice views at the top. It's a one and done for me though. Would not return again. There are waaaay better hikes with better views and less crowds in this area.

Favorite hike. It's obviously everyone's favorite as well. The reason I choose this place because it's moderate level or higher but it gives a good workout for a short amount of time. I like that I can get this hike done in under 1.5 hours mostly walking alone. Whenever I go with friends it's normally a 2 hour hike round trip because we are talking and taking breaks. Highly recommend!

I checked out Cowles Mountain on my last night in San Diego. My niece her husband and I hiked the mountain to check out the sunset and it was a spectacular view! Please note if you plan to hike this mountain where proper shoes with lots of tread/grip because some sections were very steep and rocky and you do not want to fall. I wore slide on Skechers with little to no tread and I slipped a few times on my way down. But thankfully I did not fall;) There was a small parking lot at the bottom of the mountain and lots of street parking and a public restroom. We did not make it to the top as it was getting dark and I wanted to be able to see my next step. We used a phone flashlight for the last 10 minutes hiking down. The mountain was open to hiking until 10 PM. I would absolutely recommend checking out Cowles Mountain! Not only will you capture some spectacular views but you will get in a nice workout.

This has been my favorite hike in San Diego. We hiked up in the afternoon on a pretty hot day - I'd rate it as "moderate to easy" depending on your fitness level. The reason why it's my favorite is the spectacular view. You can see the SD skyline, ocean, surrounding mountains, lates, everything that makes SD such a fantastic place to live & visit. If you have a headlamp and feel comfortable hiking at night I highly suggest this spot for incredible sunset views. During my most recent hike I ended up hiking back down the mountain about half way to make the return trip a little easier and still was "wowed" by the view. It's perfect for a picnic and high on the list of activities that I suggest to my more active friends/family when they come visit SD and a hike I'm sure I'll do again and again.

We went in November and it was about 68 degrees , perfect weather . I feel this hike was a little more than beginners. I hadn't hiked in a long time and I was sore the next couple of days, but it has great views and a lot of people you will see on the trail, but not too crowded. we went on a Tuesday around 12 o'clock.

I love this trail. About 3 miles roundtrip. Great for beginners! There's a small parking lot but lots of street parking, don't leave anything valuable in your car. They have restrooms at the base. Beautiful view at the top!

Probably one of the most popular hikes. Wear proper shoes ( a lot of rocks, small and big) enough water (depending on the time of day you go) and some snacks. They have restrooms at the small parking lot. I believe they have several ways you can begin the trail at . also have a coffee/tea smoothie shop just across the street. You will see people of all ages. This has to be one of my top 5 hikes. 3miles. Give this trail a go! Lastly at the top they have a map of other trails and their elevation

This is a nice little hike, at first you don't really think it's that huge, but about halfway up, you start thinking are we almost there yet? Lol There is a plaque on top of the mountain, which gives you a little history. Definitely good for picture taking up there. The best thing about this hike are the dogs!

Grateful that this trail is open for the opportunity to exercise and enjoy nature, but it needs to be maintained for erosion and perhaps a couple of trash receptacles here and there. Unfortunately, pet owners think that just because they put their pet's waste in a bag, they can just leave it on the trail...so discourteous. Also, the bathrooms are atrocious! It always smells very badly and isn't very clean.

One of San Diego's best hiking spots! It's always very busy but there's a parking lot and plenty of street parking. The trail takes you to the top of the mountain with a view of San Diego. On a clear day, you can see the beach. The hike to the top of the mountain and back down is three miles. It's a great hike, the only drawback is how packed it can be due to how popular the trail is in San Diego.

What an amazing hike! It takes about an hour round trip. It's definitely steep going up but worth that extra push in your glutes. I would consider this trail moderate. There is absolutely no shade on the trail so slap on that sunscreen, wear a hat and bring plenty of water. I highly recommend hiking boots. There is a nice plaque once you reach the top with breathtaking views of San Diego. Now there is a small parking lot at the bottom of the mountain with restrooms. However if you end up parking on the street make sure your tires are positioned in the right direction because they do write tickets!!

Short hike for regular or avid hikers. Decent for the average joe. 1.5 straight up from the base an incline hike that is quite rocky/boulderous so wear solid shoes. Offers gorgeous view of the city, although the trail is a very busy one. And pretty narrow so be prepared to frequently squeeze past people or pause to let others by. The brevity and people traffic means I wont make this a regular visit. I'd be back to bring a visitor for the incredible views.

I've grown to enjoy this hike a great deal. It's in such close proximity to numerous residential areas so it gets busy at different times of the day, but it's also quiet at certain times. I've seen folks out with flashlights at the crack of Dawn. We've convinced our little one to do it a few times to watch the sunrise. If you prefer less crowded routes go up the access road a little further away. It's busy but always seems less crowded vs the primary Cowles trail.

Nice place for a quick hike in mission trails regional park. This one is very busy on the weekends, so go early if you don't like crowds. There is a tiny parking lot that fits about 15 cars but there is lots of street parking if you cannot find one in the parking lot. The annoying thing about this trail is people leave their dog poop which is kinnda gross to see when hiking. Difficulty level is Difficult . Beautiful 360 view at the top totally worth the hike. Clean restroom facilities at the staging area.

4-23-2022 As I reach the top, a howl escapes my purse lips and the beast in me awakens...hello world, I am present and I matter. It's not just about the hike; it's the wind that caresses my face, the height that tingles my equilibrium, and the victory of reaching the top. This hike is not hard at all, I appreciate the steepness, I appreciate the lengthy fleet and I appreciate the company I keep. This trail is good for training. Located in the Mission Trails Regional Park, this summit reaches a steep one thousand five hundred ninety three feet and overlooks the San Carlos neighborhood within the vicinity of San Diego. It stands as the highest point of the city of Sand Diego. Not bad for my first hike of twenty twenty two. I shall return!

Great hike! Medium-level difficulty. Plenty of parking at the trail head and surrounding neighborhood. Bathrooms at the trailhead. Highly recommend doing this early in the morning or during Winter when not so hot. Great views on the way up and up top! Dog friendly.

We've frequented this trail for years. My soon-to-be nine-year-old daughter has trekked it eight times. Lately, however, there's been an overpowering stench of dog waste. It's become so noticeable that even my daughter mentioned it. We might start exploring new hiking trails soon.

Love this hike! I used to take the back side a lot when I was living in San Diego and living near Navajo Street in La Mesa it's typically less crowded and slippery than the front side.

Nice, clean trail! Just small parking lot! We went in the AM around 9. Typically busy hours since everyone wants to get that hike in during the AM! It was pretty annoying having to park half a mile away from the trail (LOL). We spent about 1.5 hrs hiking round trip. The trail is well maintained and not too hard. Bathrooms are at the start. Easy enough for kiddos.. not alot of shade, but we went when it was cooler. Lots of space at the top for those selfies and excellent view!

We've hiked four of the 5 peaks in Mission Trails, and Cowles ranks at the very bottom of my favorites list. It's a popular spot, so we purposely avoided the "main" trail head, choosing to approach the peak via Big Rock Park and the Cowles Service Road. That turned out to be a good idea; while we met a few other hikers, it definitely never got crowded - until we hit the summit, that is. But, before we get to that, the Big Rock Trail is easy to follow and well-marked. While most of the path is unshaded, there were a couple of spots that offered a brief respite from the heat and sun. It's a steep ascent, so you'll feel it in your lower body well before you hit the service road. And speaking of the service road, be prepared to slip. Like, a *lot*. It's a path made for vehicles, not hikers, so the rocks that line the gentle incline are small and loose, and easily give way under your feet. We shambled our way up most of the service road before taking the path that connected to the "main" Cowles Trail path to get to the summit. So - back to the popularity of this spot. I love that there are so many locals that want to see the views and take the pictures, but it was just *so* crowded at the peak. We were dodging running kids, duck-face selfie-takers (people still make those faces, huh?), groups of half-naked teens and people lost in their music as we tried to find a place to catch our breath for a minute. Right before we ambled off in the direction of Pyles Peak, I had to ask a father if we could get a picture of the Cowles sign, which his kids had been climbing/sitting/standing in front of for the entire 5 minutes we were there. I think it was just a shock to my senses, after having spent the majority of the hike with just my husband and nature, to be bombarded with a wall of people. Don't think we'll hike Cowles again...at least, not until we take up the 5 Peak Challenge.

I'm not good with directions but If you find the beginning / parking area of this hike you're already winning! Basically rocky, dusty, no shade, lots of switchbacks and people on this trail. My phone says it's about 3.5 miles trek roundtrip from my car to the top. Cool views at the top but much too hot for my taste but great walk up a hill. Again lots of people and their pets makes it pretty safe to do alone.