Coast to Crest Trail Challenge Year 10: Your Challenge, Your Choice!
The Coast to Crest Trail Challenge, our annual series of five hikes within the San Dieguito River Park, turns 10 this year.
To mark the milestone, we issued a “Challenger’s Choice” poll for you to identify your five favorite hikes.
For the Year 10 series, we’re taking your picks and, just for fun, are adding another.
Challenge Period
July 1, 2026
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June 30, 2027
Challenge Guidelines
Leave no trace
Take only photos, stay on designated trails, and keep dogs leashed.
Stay safe
Be prepared with water, sun protection, and sturdy shoes.
Join us
Complete hikes from the 2026-27 series with experts during our Walk N Talk group hikes.
Capture the moment
Snap a creative selfie anywhere along each trail.
Earn your patch
To earn your patch, complete all five hikes and send us selfies from each of them. Include the names of all people and pets pictured. Get creative with your photos! Email them to: to sdrvc@sdrvc.org.
This Year's Challenge Hikes
For the 2026-2027 Coast to Crest Trail Challenge, your five faves plus our “Bonus Hike” stack up like this:
Ready to Take the Challenge?
Embark on an incredible journey through nature's most spectacular trails
Capture Memories
Hit the trails, enjoy nature, and don't forget to share your selfies and stories!
Earn Your Patch
Complete all five hikes to earn your 2026-2027 Coast to Crest Challenge patch and bragging rights.
Happy trails!
Past C2C Challenges
Since the summer of 2017, hundreds of passionate hikers have embarked on and completed the annual Coast to Crest Trail Challenge, exploring some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the region.
To learn more about each trail segment including parking directions, please visit: San Dieguito River Park Trails
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Year 9
Coast to Crest Trail Challenge – Year 9
2025–2026
Trails:
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San Dieguito Lagoon (5 mi)
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Santa Ysabel East (4 mi)
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San Pasqual Valley (5 mi)
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Volcan Mountain Five Oaks Trail (4.5 mi)
Mule Hill (2.5 mi)
Trails range from easy to strenuous.
San Diego Tribune Feature:
"Coast to Crest Trail Challenge Returns for Ninth Year" by Elizabeth Maria Himchak
Year 8
Coast to Crest Trail Challenge – Year 8
2024–2025
Trails:
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Bernardo Bay Trail (1.6 mi)
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Piedras Pintadas Trail (4.4 mi)
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Del Dios Gorge Trail (4.6 mi)
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South Clevenger Canyon (5 mi)
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Upper Santa Ysabel Truck Trail (10 mi)
Trails range from easy to strenuous.
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Year 7
Coast to Crest Trail Challenge – Year 7
2023-2024
Trails:
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Santa Ysabel Lower Truck Trail (6.5 mi)
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Santa Fe Valley (4 mi)
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Pamo Valley (6.5 mi)
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Sikes to base of Bernardo Summit (4 mi)
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San Dieguito Lagoon Trail – Ranger Station to Boardwalk (3.5 mi)
Trails range from easy to strenuous.
Year 6
Coast to Crest Trail Challenge – Year 6
2022-2023
Trails:
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Volcan Mountain via Five Oaks (5.5 mi)
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Bernardo Mountain Summit via Lake Hodges Pedestrian Bridge (6.6 mi)
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Blue Sky Canyon Trail (5.3 mi)
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Santa Ysabel East, West Vista Loop (4.2 mi)
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Raptor Ridge (4.6 mi)
Trails range from easy to strenuous.
Year 5
Coast to Crest Trail Challenge – Year 5
2021-2022
Trails:
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Blue Sky Preserve and Lake Poway (5.5 mi)
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Black Mountain Summit via the Miner’s Loop Trail (4.3 mi)
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Scorpion Ridge–Santa Fe Valley Connector (4.7 mi)
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Dust Devil Trail at the San Dieguito Lagoon (1.75 mi)
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Gonzales Canyon Loop Trail (4 mi)
Trails range from easy to strenuous.
Year 4
Coast to Crest Trail Challenge – Year 4
2020-2021
Trails:
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C2C Trail at Santa Ysabel East Preserve (4.2 mi)
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C2C Trail at Boden Canyon (6.6 mi)
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C2C Trail at San Pasqual Valley (5.0 mi)
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C2C Trail North Lake Hodges to Del Dios Gorge (4.56 mi)
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Lusardi Creek Trail (5.3 mi)
Trails range from easy to strenuous.
Year 3
Coast to Crest Trail Challenge – Year 3
2019-2020
Trails:
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Santa Ysabel West Preserve Trail (7.42 mi)
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Highland Valley Trail (4.2 mi)
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Del Dios Highlands Preserve and Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Trails (5.62 mi)
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North Shore Lake Hodges and Lake View Trail (5.25 mi)
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Pamo Valley (6.6 mi)
Trails range from easy to strenuous.
Year 2
Coast to Crest Trail Challenge – Year 2
2018-2019
Trails:
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Kanaka Loop Trail
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Ramona Grasslands Preserve Trails
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Raptor Ridge Trail
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Piedras Pintadas Trail
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Santa Fe Valley Trail
Trails range from easy to strenuous.
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Year 1
Coast to Crest Trail Challenge – Year 1
2017-2018
Trails:
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Volcan Mountain (5.4 mi)
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San Dieguito Lagoon (2.76 mi)
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Del Dios (4.54 mi)
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Bernardo Mountain Summit (7.2 mi)
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Clevenger Canyon (4.4 mi)
Trails range from easy to strenuous.