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2025–2026 Coast to Crest Trail Challenge

Get ready to hit the trail and celebrate the incredible natural beauty right in our own backyard! The Coast to Crest Challenge is your invitation to explore diverse habitats, discover local history, and enjoy the fresh air — one hike at a time.

Challenge Period

July 1, 2025

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June 30, 2026

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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

For select hikes, the Conservancy hosts monthly Walk N Talk group outings.

Capture the moment

Snap a creative selfie anywhere along each trail.

Earn your patch

Complete all five hikes and claim your exclusive 2025–2026 C2C patch! Participants must email five hike photos, including the names of individuals and pets pictured, to sdrvc@sdrvc.org to receive their patch.

This Year's Challenge Hikes

San Dieguito Lagoon

~3 mi

Difficulty:

Easy

Highlights:

Lagoon ecosystem, birdwatching

Geography:

Coastal

Santa Ysabel East

~4 mi

Difficulty:

Moderate

Highlights:

Oak woodland, pastoral mountain setting

Geography:

Mountains

San Pasqual Valley

~5 mi

Difficulty:

Moderate

Highlights:

River crossings, historical viewshed

Geography:

Foothills

Volcan Mountain Five Oaks Trail

~4.5 mi

Difficulty:

Strenuous

Highlights:

High-elevation forest, oak habitat

Geography:

Mountains

Mule Hill

~2.5 mi

Difficulty:

Easy

Highlights:

Historic Trail Battle of Mule Hill Interpretative Signs

Geography:

Valley

Screenshot_20-11-2025_115713_www.sandiegouniontribune.com.jpeg

Coast to Crest Trail Challenge returns for ninth year

Author: Elizabeth Marie Himchak, The San Diego Union-Tribune

Date: July 8, 2025

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 2025-2026 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 8

Coast to Crest Trail Challenge – Year 8

2024–2025

Trails:

  • Bernardo Bay Trail (1.6 mi)

  • Piedras Pintadas Trail (4.4 mi)

  • Del Dios Gorge Trail (4.6 mi)

  • South Clevenger Canyon (5 mi)

  • 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:

  • Santa Ysabel Lower Truck Trail (6.5 mi)

  • Santa Fe Valley (4 mi)

  • Pamo Valley (6.5 mi)

  • Sikes to base of Bernardo Summit (4 mi)

  • San Dieguito Lagoon Trail – Ranger Station to Boardwalk (3.5 mi)

Trails range from easy to strenuous.

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Year 6

Coast to Crest Trail Challenge – Year 6

2022-2023

Trails:

  • Volcan Mountain via Five Oaks (5.5 mi)

  • Bernardo Mountain Summit via Lake Hodges Pedestrian Bridge (6.6 mi)

  • Blue Sky Canyon Trail (5.3 mi)

  • Santa Ysabel East, West Vista Loop (4.2 mi)

  • Raptor Ridge (4.6 mi)

Trails range from easy to strenuous.

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Year 5

Coast to Crest Trail Challenge – Year 5

2021-2022

Trails:

  • Blue Sky Preserve and Lake Poway (5.5 mi) 

  • Black Mountain Summit via the Miner’s Loop Trail (4.3 mi)

  • Scorpion Ridge–Santa Fe Valley Connector (4.7 mi)

  • Dust Devil Trail at the San Dieguito Lagoon (1.75 mi)

  • Gonzales Canyon Loop Trail (4 mi)

Trails range from easy to strenuous.

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Year 4

Coast to Crest Trail Challenge – Year 4

2020-2021

Trails:

  • C2C Trail at Santa Ysabel East Preserve (4.2 mi)

  • C2C Trail at Boden Canyon (6.6 mi)

  • C2C Trail at San Pasqual Valley (5.0 mi)

  • C2C Trail North Lake Hodges to Del Dios Gorge (4.56 mi)

  • Lusardi Creek Trail (5.3 mi)

Trails range from easy to strenuous.

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Year 3

Coast to Crest Trail Challenge – Year 3

2019-2020

Trails:

  • Santa Ysabel West Preserve Trail (7.42 mi)

  • Highland Valley Trail (4.2 mi)

  • Del Dios Highlands Preserve and Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Trails (5.62 mi)

  • North Shore Lake Hodges and Lake View Trail (5.25 mi)

  • Pamo Valley (6.6 mi)

Trails range from easy to strenuous.

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Year 2

Coast to Crest Trail Challenge – Year 2

2018-2019

Trails:

  • Kanaka Loop Trail

  • Ramona Grasslands Preserve Trails

  • Raptor Ridge Trail

  • Piedras Pintadas Trail

  • 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:

  • Volcan Mountain (5.4 mi)

  • San Dieguito Lagoon (2.76 mi)

  • Del Dios (4.54 mi)

  • Bernardo Mountain Summit (7.2 mi)

  • Clevenger Canyon (4.4 mi)

Trails range from easy to strenuous.

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