Looking for the best trails around El Cajon?

Explore the best rated trails in El Cajon, CA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Rose Creek Bike Path and Coastal Rail Trail . With more than 19 trails covering 100 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

Recent Trail Reviews

Escondido Creek Bike Path

Perfect for running/walking

April, 2024 by oliverjparado

I do my cardio workouts on this trail 4 days a week. Are there homeless? Yes. Could it be touched up and repaved a bit? Yes. Cleaner? Yes. What part of San Diego doesn’t these days? With the homeless, I don’t bother them and they don’t bother me, and they are few and far between. This trail is a key to my overall health and fitness. I don’t have to pay a monthly or annual membership fee to use it. It doesn’t close at 11pm, and it’s just outside my door. And the best part it’s free. I love it!

Mission Bay Bike Path

Beware Ebikes banned

April, 2024 by barbscondo

We are 4-78 year olds on Ebikes. Have ridden this path last year. Today we were sitting at a picnic table having lunch and the park ranger/patrol stopped and told us we are not allowed on any part of the Mission Bay Bikepath. All is considered boardwalk. The whole path circling the bay. We had to leave thru the parking lot back to Mission Bay Rv Resort where we are staying. Sadly, we will not be coming here again.

Inland Rail Trail

homeless hang out

February, 2024 by therapyjulie

Between the poor maintenance of the asphalt and trying to dodge the homeless carts and random people walking through the trail, I’m not sure it’s the safest bike route I’ve ever taken. I started at the Escondido transit station and won’t be doing that again!

Accordion

Mission Bay Bike Path

Scenic trail

January, 2024 by debb2002

I roller skated the trail today and it’s well maintained. I prefer an asphalt trail, but this was fine for skating on. A newer skater might struggle with the expansion joints and sand, but it was relatively smooth aside from that. Most people walking/biking etc were staying where they’re supposed to be, but every once and awhile you’ll get a “face in the phone” who you’ll have to navigate around. Enjoy ¿¿

San Diego River Trail

Fallen to horrible disrepair

October, 2023 by wmichaelbratton

As the title describes, I triked the complete length of the trail from Mission Valley all the way to Dog Beach this past week and it's deplorable. About 70% of the length of the trail's surface is bone-shakingly bad. From the parts that are concrete, to the asphalt sections, there are few sections that are in decent, ridable shape. It has been poorly looked after by San Diego Parks and Rec. As mentioned here previously, the homeless population has taken over. It has become seriously unhealthy from garbage and encampment sites. It' so sad as this was one of my favorite rides in the city.

San Luis Rey River Trail

Great trail

October, 2023 by n5ick_tl

This is a very fun trail to ride up and down on! Just remember to slow down for the walkers!

Bayshore Bikeway

Full loop

September, 2023 by psuozzo

Imperial west is good. San Diego side is a poorly marked jumble of urban paths. Not recommended.

Escondido Creek Bike Path

sketchy

September, 2023 by blueboxparts

Tried this path with my wife. Lots of homeless people discussing where to get hypodermic needles sitting in the path.

Mission Bay Bike Path

Wonderful fun path

September, 2023 by barbscondo

We have been staying at Mission Bay RV Park (great place) and the bike path is out the front of the RV park. We have ridden it 5 times in the last few days-both directions and then wandering off the path into different areas and the beach boardwalk. Really nice during the weekdays and more crowded on the weekends. The speed limit is 8 mph !! And most riders honor that. Honestly, that's fast enough there is so much fun stuff to look at and the people watching is wonderful. Beautiful houses/water/boats/kiteboarders and on and on.

Rose Creek Bike Path

Joiner Path

September, 2023 by barbscondo

We are staying at Mission Bay RV Park and riding the Mission Bay Bike Path which is right outside the RV Park. This is a little offshoot off the path. It runs into the Rose Canyon Bicycle Path and onto others I think. I see it mainly as a place to get from A to B of you need to. Not a Path I would ride again for pleasure. This first portion a little sketchy with some homeless campers but no real problem.

San Luis Rey River Trail

Great 20-mile biking trail from down to Oceanside beach and back, safe, clean, and well marked easy route and a variety of views.

August, 2023 by kk19

Great 20-mile biking trail from down to Oceanside beach and back, safe, clean, and well marked easy route and a variety of views.

San Luis Rey River Trail

Please share the road with walkers

July, 2023 by sherrytamai

I usually ride my bike here but today I decided to walk. An older, Caucasian male who was on a bike rudely yelled that this is for bikes only. Idts. I see walkers all the time. I don’t see why we can’t share the trail.

Find Nearby City trails

Accordion

Register for free!

Register for free with TrailLink today!

We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your own favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Leave reviews for trails
  • Add new and edit existing trails

Get the Free TrailLink App

The trail is always better with TrailLink

Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone

Explore by City

Explore by City

Explore by Activity

Explore by Activity

Log in to your account to:

  • View trail paths on the map
  • Save trails to your account
  • Add trails, edit descriptions
  • Share photos
  • Add reviews

Log in with Google

Log in with Apple

OR

Register for free!

Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more!

Register with Google

Register with Apple

OR

Your account has been deleted.