Go Steep

Whether you’re looking for an intense workout or a moderate one, Steep Canyon Trail in Diamond Bar has you covered. This 1.5-mile loop in Summitridge Park can be either a steep climb or a gradual incline up the 416 feet of elevation gain. It just depends on which direction you take the loop.

Either way, the trail starts out with a solid leg-burner: stairs. At the top of the staircase choose to go up the Steep Canyon Trail to your left (clockwise loop) or take the Canyon Loop spur to the right (counterclockwise loop). Heading clockwise is 0.6 mile of incline, except for one part where the trail descends and rises sharply, passing through a little ravine for an extra dose of leg-burning exercise.

There are several benches for catching your breath and admiring the view of the surrounding cities, where palm trees sit in the foreground and the snowy San Gabriel Mountains in the distance are a quintessentially Southern California vista. Back up on top of the hill, follow the Diamond Bar Center Trail for around 200 yards until you see the Canyon Loop Trail, which will finish your loop and bring you back to the top of the stairs.

This stretch is a nice treat after conquering the Steep Canyon Trail, with lots of shade from oak and sycamore trees and a moderately graded downhill slope. For something slightly easier, head counterclockwise at the top of the stairs and do the canyon first, which spreads the incline over 0.8 mile. It’s a gentler climb, but be cautious on those steep downhills because they can get slippery.

Steep Canyon Trail is located in Summitridge Park in Diamond Bar. Street parking only. Open from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Dog friendly!

Story and photos by Natalie Bates, @wanderwithnatalie