Anaheim Hills Riding & Walking Trail Loop(edit)

Overview

This is a moderate loop trail in dog-friendly Weir Canyon Regional Park that touches Santiago Oaks Park in the southwest corner. The wide and easily-followed trail starts at the end of a couple cul-de-sacs in the Anaheim Hills neighborhoos accessed from Serrano Road by going east on Hidden Canyon Road an then turning left onto to the end of Avenida De Santiago. There are several more places where the trail comes out into the neighborhood also. F The trail has immediate and spacious views with Sierra Peak to the north and the Santa Ana Mountains to the south.

The trail itself is broad, flat and well graded. We headed along the loop clockwise, and reach a point where a narrow side trail diverged to the left alongside the neighborhood. We followed this side trail alongside Blue Sky Road for 1/2 miles up and over a ridge downward until it was clear there was no loop to be had. So we returned to the big trail and continued clockwise. The trial drops down and then wiggles back toward Santiago Oaks. We turned back toward our car to make a nice 5 mile loop. The trail could be followed downward into the main body of Santiago Oaks, but that's another day! A biker reported a coyote. We kept the pups close until we returned to the car, but didn't see any until we were driving away on Avenida de Santiago. The trail is exposed, so it's better for cooler weather. The grade is perfect for hiking, running or biking, and we saw several bicyclists.

Getting Started

The trail can be accessed from multiple connections to the neighborhood off Serrano Road. We went down Serrano Road, east on Hidden Canyon Road an then turning left onto to the end of Avenida De Santiago to each the cul-de-sac at the end.

Taking Children

This would be a good trail for children except that it drops down, then back up. Canyon trails can sometimes be challenging on the return for kids, but the overall elevation gain is only 800 feet on this whole loop, and you are warned.