Heavenly Hellhole

Hiking Hellhole Canyon Country Preserve in Pauma Valley

Rounding up some friends to go to a hellhole? Maybe it doesn't sound appealing, unless you're talking about Hellhole Canyon County Preserve. Its 1,907 hilly acres are home to a strenuous 4.9-mile trek with 750 feet of gain (and opportunities to extend for those who want to test their leg muscles).

You’ll immediately descend 300 feet into Hellhole Canyon, enjoying fine views as you’re surrounded by a plethora of flora and fauna—from hoaryleaf lilac, black sage, and California blackberry to red-tailed and Harris’s hawks and American kestrels. As you reach the vibrantly green environment surrounding Hell Creek, savor the only shade on this trail, provided by sycamores and oaks. Look for dudleya on the canyon wall to your right, a succulent also known as the live-forever.

You’ll enjoy canyon vistas for the remainder of the hike. Stay left at the junction for the 1.3-mile Horsethief Trail loop, on which you’ll encounter a vividly orange section of witch’s hair covering chamise against a granite wall. Stay left to continue on Canyon View Trail. At the 2.6-mile mark, you can diverge left for an optional gut-busting ascent to Rodriguez Peak. Head right as the path roller-coasters on a challenging stretch of narrow switchbacks.

Stay right at the next two junctions until the trail connects with the Horsethief Trail at 3.6 miles. Swing a left to reconnect with the Hell Creek Trail. Look for horned lizards scurrying across the path that leads you back to the start.

Take I-15 to Gopher Canyon Rd. toward Old Castle Rd. and head east for 5.5 miles. Continue onto Lilac Rd. for 3.3 miles and turn right onto Valley Center Rd. After 1.2 miles, turn left onto Woods Valley Rd. Continue onto Paradise Mountain Rd. After 3 miles, turn left onto Kiavo Dr. and after 0.5 mile, follow the signs to the preserve up the hill on your left. Open Friday through Monday, 8 a.m. to sunset. Closed in August. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

    View
  4. Hiker taking a photo of sunset at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

    Sunshine and Skyline

    Head to Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve for a 4-mile out-and-back hike on the Bay Area Ridge Trail that offers a front-row seat to spectacular sunsets.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View