Elfin Forest, Escondido CA

• 3-star hikes
• 1 to 3 mile options
• Easy & Moderate | Gain 250 to 770 feet
• Escondido, CA | San Diego Region
.

The image depicts a scenic outdoor activity, with a group of four hikers walking along a dirt trail on a hillside. The trail is surrounded by dense vegetation, including bushes and trees. The hikers are equipped with trekking poles and wearing backpacks. In the background, you can see rolling hills covered with shrubs and trees, as well as a parking area with several cars. The sky is clear with a few scattered clouds.

Returning on the hillside Way Up Trail.

The fanciful naming of this water district's recreational lands might lead visitors to expect to find a fairytale forest when hiking here. True, we didn't expect to encounter any mythical creatures, but we were surprised to find that there's no forest either. Though the public outreach department of the Olivenhain Water District might have over-reached with its naming, the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve does offer some pleasant hillside trails.

We'd break this reserve down into three sections; a mile-long low-level looping trail, a hillside hike and, above that, miles of dusty chaparral hillside that overlooks the Olivenhain Reservoir. Hikers will be most interested in the first two options, with the third being best suited to mountain bikers and equestrians.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 3★ Botanical Trail 1.0 mi loop, easy, gain 250 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?

⬤ 3★ Way-Up Trail 3.1 mi out & back, moderate, gain 770 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions

⬤ Botanical Trail
The Botanical Trail might be the most appealing hike in Elfin Forest, and is a trail well suited for long families and folks who prefer shorter hikes. Here you'll find riparian woodland comprised of small trees and shrubs - the closest thing in the park to a forest. We recommend a clockwise loop that follows Escondido Creek away from the visitor center.

Early on you'll need to tackle a moderately easy rocky creek crossing to continue along the trail that leads gradually up the hillside. Watch out for numbered signs, which can be interpreted with an interactive nature guide. The first quarter of the hike is under shade of the 'forest' but as you climb, you head into hillside chaparral that offers no cover. The Botanical Trail connects with the Way-Up Trail, which you'll use to return to the trailhead. Trail surface is natural material and is mostly easy.

The image depicts a tranquil nature scene where a small metal and concrete bridge spans a shallow, clear stream. The water in the stream reveals rocks and scattered fallen leaves, indicating a season transition, possibly autumn or winter. Several people are walking across the bridge, enjoying the serene environment. The area around the stream is densely wooded, with trees that have mostly shed their leaves, creating a sparse canopy. The scene is bathed in natural light from a clear, blue sky, enhancing the peaceful and reflective ambiance of the location.

Escondido Creek crossing by the trailhead.

⬤ Way-Up Trail
Though the 700 foot climb of the Way-Up Trail is pleasant and affords some valley views, we were disappointed to find a lack of reward at the summit. The hill-climb leads to unremarkable, undulating, exposed scrub-covered terrain and wide dusty trails with few apparent destinations of interest.

The nearby Ridgetop Picnic Area does offer some inviting shaded picnic tables and very occasional views of the Olivenhain Reservoir. For better views of the reservoir we hiked an additional half-mile out-and-back trip northeast towards what's marked on the park's map as the 'Escondido Overlook'. This side-trip afforded us distant views towards the expanse of the reservoir, but little else.

The image shows a picturesque outdoor scene with three people and a dog hiking on a rocky trail. The trail, surrounded by lush bushes and greenery, leads towards a large, serene lake. The lake occupies the central part of the image, reflecting the clear blue sky above. The backdrop features rolling hills and majestic mountains, creating a tranquil and breathtaking landscape. The sunlight gently shimmers on the surface of the water, enhancing the natural beauty of the scene.

Distant reservoir from the 'Escondido Overlook'.

Trails continue around the sides of the reservoir and into the hills, but none that reach the water's edge, and nothing that offered enticing destinations or scenery. We double-checked our experience with the helpful and friendly volunteers at the visitor center who confirmed that we haven't missed out on anything significant in the park. We would speculate that mountain bikers and equestrians are likely to be the trail-users able to get the most out of this extended trail network.

Elfin Forest is curiously popular and the two modest free parking lots tend to fill quickly. Turnover at the park is quite high and it's likely that if the lots are full, you'll soon find someone leaving. Facilities at the visitor center are well appointed and worth a visit, and park volunteers even offer a musical concert on the first Sunday of every month.

The image showcases a serene outdoor setting with a dirt trail snaking through a hilly area blanketed by low shrubs and bushes. The scenery is dominated by rolling hills, some covered with denser vegetation, and power lines that stretch across the landscape. A person clad in blue clothing and a hat is walking along the trail, using a walking stick for support. In the foreground, there’s a prominent utility pole standing on the right side of the image, indicating the presence of infrastructure amidst the natural surroundings. The sky is a clear blue with a few scattered clouds, adding to the calmness of the scene.

Typical dusty hilltop chaparral trail.

Tangents:
• Official: Elfin Forest
• AllTrails Public: Elfin Forest Trails
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

Trailspotting Nearby
5★ Annie's Canyon (2 mi) · 4★ Daley Ranch & Stanley Peak (5-6 mi) · 4★ Los Peñasquitos Canyon (6 mi) · Show Map

California Waterfalls
Trails to some of California's greatest waterfalls.

Best hiking trails and rail trails in California

Best Trails of California
See our favorite hiking trails for each region of California.