Cowles Mountain, San Diego CA

• 3-star hike
• 3 mile out-and-back
• Medium difficulty | Gain 910 feet
• San Diego, CA | San Diego Region
. Two shirtless men on the Cowles Mountain Summit in Mission Trails Regional Park, San Diego. They are enjoying a panoramic view of the city from the highest point in the park. The summit offers a 360-degree view of San Diego County and beyond

Two shirtless men on the Cowles Mountain Summit in Mission Trails Regional Park, San Diego. They are enjoying a panoramic view of the city from the highest point in the park. The summit offers a 360-degree view of San Diego County and beyond

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3★ Cowles Mt Trail
2.9 mi out-and-back, medium, gain 910 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

The highest point in the city of San Diego at 1,593 feet above sea level, Cowles Mountain is a wildly popular destination for hikers, fitness enthusiasts and - it appears - everyone else. Regardless of the time of day that you choose to tackle this peak in the Mission Trails Regional Park you will have plenty of company. Approach this hike with a neighborly attitude and a generous amount of latitude for the bluetooth speaker blaring narcissists, then it can be a fun hill-climb challenge that rewards with outstanding regional views in all directions.

Expect trail conditions to be moderately easy with switchbacks keeping the climb to a moderate gradient. There's no shade whatsoever along the trail, so prepare accordingly and still bring water along on this short trail. Though this hike's popularity means that the trailhead parking lot is almost always full, there's also plenty of roadside parking along Golfcrest Drive at all times of the day.

Hikers enjoying the view from the summit.

A serene hiking trail with wooden fences leading through lush greenery under a clear blue sky, offering a view of a distant valley and city.

One of the flatter sections of trail.

a scenic cityscape view from a high vantage point, featuring greenery in the foreground and a dense arrangement of houses leading to a skyline of tall buildings under a partly cloudy sky. It illustrates the juxtaposition of natural and urban environments.

Views towards San Diego some ten miles distant.

A panoramic view of a sprawling urban area with dense housing, greenery, and a body of water, seen from an elevated vantage point with rocky outcrops and purple flowers in the foreground.

Looking south towards Lake Murray.

Tangents:
• Official: Mission Trails Regional Park
• Public Map at AllTrails: Cowles Mt Trail
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article

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