Monster Hike to Monserate Peak

Fallbrooks Peak Hike at Monserate Mountain Preserve

04.07.2016

Before indulging in Fallbrook’s avocado specialties and local wines, head out for a challenging (okay, thigh-burning!) hike on terrain that towers over the landscape. Fallbrook Conservancy’s Monserate Mountain Preserve is 340 acres of chaparral environment with a sweat-inducing trail to the 1,500-foot summit. The path immediately starts ascending at a grueling angle and continues like this for over 1.5 miles. After a gut-busting 1,200 feet of elevation gain, you’ll reach the only unmarked trail junction: The summit is a short uphill to the left (the path to the right provides you with an additional 1-mile loop passing a water tower and returning to the summit). At the peak be sure to sign the guestbook and then relish epic views of North County San Diego: To the east lie the Agua Tibia Mountains, and on clear days you can see the Pacific Ocean to the west. The north provides excellent views of the Santa Ana Mountains, while the south lookout watches over the San Luis Rey Valley. Monserate magnificence!

To get to the trailhead at Monserate Mountain Preserve, take I-15 to CA-76 east and make a left on Horse Ranch Creek Rd. After 2 miles, the dirt parking lot will be on your left. The trailhead is clearly marked. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Napa Valley Paddle kayaker and paddle boarder on the Napa Valley river

    Napa's Wild Side

    It’s wine country’s Amazon. The gentle Napa River is an ecological—and recreational—delight. And Napa Valley Paddle sets you up for maximum enjoyment of this experience.

    View

  2. Been There, Dome That

    Surrounded by granite domes, craggy peaks, and miles of hiking trails, the High Sierra landscape of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park is famous for good reason. For a truly grand view, take a short hike to bold—and bald (except for snow at times)—Lembert Dome.

    View

  3. Wapama Wows

    Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

    View
  4. Hike Mount Tamalpais into Muir Woods

    Muir Woods Through the Backdoor

    A backdoor entrance into Muir Woods? Hike a tranquil trail that starts in Mount Tamalpais State Park and quietly leads into Muir Woods, letting you avoid the busyness of the main parking area.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Inn-spiration Point!

    For more than a century, people have been hiking or mountain biking to West Point Inn for good reason. Perched at 1,785 feet on the southern slope of Mount Tamalpais, the historic inn has sweeping views from the Marin Headlands to the San Francisco skyline.

    View

  2. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View
  4. Hike to the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout in the Lakes Basin

    Lookout for This View!

    Sierra Buttes Lookout, at a lofty 8,591 feet, is a memory maker for its pucker-worthy stairway to the tower’s balcony. It's a 5-mile (round-trip) hike to reach it. And the reward? Epic!

    View