12 Hikes You Can Get To On Foothill Transit
Take the bus to hike trails in the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles.
Ready to stretch your legs?
Hike just a little way down some of the spectacular trails in our area, and suddenly you feel like you’re miles away from the noise, crowds, and concrete of the city. Connecting to your nearest trailhead by bus is a perfect way to make your great escape. You don’t have to worry about the risks of parking your car in low-visibility trail parking areas. You can spend the whole ride home sharing the pictures you took on your hike. And you can smile with the knowledge that the bus you’re on is helping to keep our parks and trails healthy and pollution-free.
A little preparation will help to keep the whole experience a good one. Check for heat advisories before you go. Bring plenty of water, and use hats and loose clothing to shield yourself from the sun. Make sure your footwear is up to the job. Stay on the trail, and let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return.
Remember, you must wear a face covering over your nose and mouth while you’re waiting for the bus and the whole time you’re on board the bus.
Ready to get away from it all? Each of these trails is easy to moderate, and they range from a little tenth of a mile to an almost 19 mile stretch! Information on these trails is from AllTrails.com. And because we know you don’t want to go on a hike to get to your hike, each of these trails is less than half a mile (just a 10 minute walk!) from the nearest bus stop. You can also see all of the trails laid out on this map.
Happy trails! (We couldn’t resist.) Share your pictures with us at #foothilltransit.
Claremont
Pacific Electric Trail
Easy
Pacific Electric Trail is a 18.5 mile heavily trafficked point-to-point trail located near Rancho Cucamonga, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. This trail has an elevation gain of 344 feet.
Take Line 188 to 1st St and Mills Ave, then head east on 1st St, and continue onto Huntington Dr to the trail.
Covina
Magnolia Trail to Buzzard Peak Road
Moderate
Magnolia Trail to Buzzard Peak Road is a 3.6 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Walnut, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. This trail has a 1043 feet elevation gain. The trail also features a grove of rare California black walnut trees on its western side near Grand Avenue. Parts of the trail border private property, and landowners have made signage and fencing to make sure people on the trail don’t accidentally veer onto their property. The vaguest part of the trail near private property is located just after the two palm tree teepees, where there is a fork in the trail. Going on the left side leads to private property but going right continues on the trail, so make sure to stay right (though the owner has put signage at the fork to distinguish it). The western terminus features a lot of incline at the beginning, but the trail plateaus right as it curbs around the first hill. Other parts of the trail feature steady incline and decline, so make sure to wear the right footwear.
Take Line 190 to Cameron Ave and Grand Ave, then head northeast on Cameron Ave, and turn right onto Grand Ave. The entrance to the trail is opposite Hillside Dr.
Diamond Bar
Steep Canyon Trail
Moderate
Steep Canyon Trail is a 1.6 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Diamond Bar, California that features beautiful wild flowers. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. This trail has an elevation gain of 524 feet.
Take Line 286 to Diamond Bar and Tin, then head south on Diamond Bar Blvd, turn left onto Steep Canyon Rd, turn left to stay on Steep Canyon Rd, and the entrance to the trail is at 902 Steep Canyon Rd.
Duarte
Duarte Recreational Trail
Easy
Duarte Recreational Trail is a 3.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Duarte, California that offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This trail has an elevation gain of 82 feet.
Take Line 860 Blue or Line 861 Green to any of the stops along Royal Oaks Dr.
Glendora
Bonnie Cove Trail
Moderate
Bonnie Cove Trail is a 3.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Glendora, California that offers scenic views. The trail offers a number of activity options. This trail has an elevation gain of 777 feet.
Take Line 851 to Gladstone St and Bonnie Cove Ave, then head west on Gladstone St, turn right onto Bonnie Cove Ave, and the trail is just north of the freeway. Keep in mind that Line 851 only runs on weekdays.
La Puente
Industry Trail
Easy
Industry Trail is a 4.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near La Puente, California. The trail is good for all skill levels and primarily used for walking and trail running. The trail has an elevation gain of 456 feet.
Take Line 185 to Temple Ave and Glendora, then head southeast on Temple Ave. The entrance to the trail is just past Expo Center Dr.
Los Angeles
Bunker Hill Steps
Moderate
Bunker Hill Steps are a 0.1 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail that offer scenic views. The trail is primarily used for walking and is accessible year-round. The Bunker Hill Steps linking Hope Street to Fifth Street thread a peaceful path through Downtown’s urban towers. A fountain stream spills down the center of this monumental staircase designed by Lawrence Halprin. Its quiet beauty is reminiscent of Rome’s Spanish Steps (albeit more narrow). The stream originates at the top of the stairs where Robert Graham’s nude female sculpture Source Figure stands atop a cylindrical base. The figure’s hands are open, as if to offer water to the city.
Take the Silver Streak to Grand and 5th, then head northeast on Grand Ave, turn left onto 5th St, and turn right to access the entrance at 711 W 5th St.
Pomona
Eagle Scout Trail
Moderate
Eagle Scout Trail is a 2.7 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Pomona, California that features beautiful wild flowers. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. This trail has an elevation gain of 990 feet.
Take Line 286 to Mission Blvd and Rancho Laguna, then head north on Mission Blvd. The trail entrance is on the right.
South El Monte
Legg Lake Loop Trail
Easy
Legg Lake Loop Trail is a 2.2 mile moderately trafficked loop trail that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. The trail has an elevation gain of 45 feet.
Take Line 269 to Santa Anita Ave and Lexington-Gallatin Rd, then head northwest on Santa Anita Ave, and turn left to enter 750 Santa Anita Ave.
Walnut
Schabarum Trail
Moderate
Schabarum Trail is a 3.8 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Walnut, California that offers scenic views and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and nature trips and is accessible year-round. This is part of the equestrian trails in the area. It is a relatively easy hike that goes back away from the streets and up towards the neighborhood on top of the hill. This trail has an elevation gain of 967 feet.
Take Line 486 to Amar Rd and Lemon Ave. The trail starts going north on Lemon Ave.
Whittier
Arroyo Pescadero Trail
Moderate
Arroyo Pescadero Trail is a 2.7 mile lightly trafficked loop trail that offers the chance to see wildlife. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and horses. The trail has an elevation gain of 344 feet.
Take Line 285 to Colima Rd and Mar Vista Dr, then head north on Colima Rd, turn left to stay on Colima Rd, and turn left onto Arroyo Pescadero Trail.
Sycamore Canyon Trail
Easy
Sycamore Canyon Trail is a 3.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. It has an elevation gain of 374 feet.
Take Line 274 to Workman Mill and Sierra Morena Ave, then head north on Workman Mill Rd toward Strong Ave, and turn right to enter 5040 Workman Mill Rd.