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Last updated: August 24 2025

Lake Hodges Trail – Out and Back

Difficulty: Easy
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Length: 11 miles (5.5 out, 5.5 back)
Where to park: bit.ly/4mKhG0f
Full route: bit.ly/4oF1n6D

This trail is perfect for beginners who are looking to ride on a dirt trail. Starting from a central parking lot (make sure to arrive early to get a parking spot!), this trail continues down a short path towards the Lake Hodges Bridge (AllTrails link). The path then follows along the lake and although water level is fairly low, the views are spectacular!

The route shown below is a total of 11 miles (5.5 miles out from bridge to Hernandez Hideaway Restaurant and then 5.5 miles back to the parking lot).
If that sounds like too much, that’s alright! You can turn back at any point in the trail to shorten the overall length.

For complete route information and interactive map,
check out the STRAVA route page:
bit.ly/4oF1n6D

Lake Poway Trail – Loop

Difficulty: Intermediate
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Length: ~3 miles
Where to park: bit.ly/3UTWadT (paid parking)
Full route: bit.ly/4oHbKqA
Trail ride along video: youtube.com/watch?v=dKaJWklVun8

The Lake Poway Loop is a great choice if you’re looking for a moderate dirt trail with rewarding lake and mountain views and some uphill/downhill segments. Starting from the Lake Poway parking lot (arrive early, weekends fill up quickly and it can get hot), the trail begins with a steady climb before looping around the lake. Along the way, you’ll pass through rolling hillsides with plenty of spots to pause and take in the scenery.

The full loop is about 2.7 miles, making it a manageable ride or hike that still offers a solid workout. Some sections are rocky and a bit steep, so be prepared for bursts of effort.

If you’re up for a longer adventure, the Lake Poway Loop also connects to other trails, including the popular route up to Mount Woodson (home of the famous Potato Chip Rock). But even if you stick to the loop itself, you’ll get a great mix of lakefront riding and scenic viewpoints.

For complete route information and interactive map,
check out the STRAVA route page:
bit.ly/4oHbKqA

Black Mountain – Black Widow Trail

Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Length: ~3 miles, 623 ft ascent
Full route and where to park: trailforks.com/ridelog/planner/view/623833/
Trail ride along highlights: youtube.com/watch?v=1c9XDgy20fw

The Black Widow Trail at Black Mountain is a fun option if you’re looking for a short but exciting dirt trail with a mix of flowy sections and rocky terrain. Starting from the Black Mountain trailhead parking area, you first need to ride about 2 miles up the gravel service road. The path winds through chaparral-covered hillsides with a blend of rocky gravel and smoother dirt stretches. This paths ascends about 600 ft up, reaching the top of the mountain.

Once at the start of the Black Widow trail, at just under a mile, this one is on the shorter side, but don’t let the distance fool you, the trail packs in some steep segments, loose rocks, and switchbacks that make it a good challenge for intermediate to advanced riders.

For those looking to extend their adventure, Black Widow connects to the larger Black Mountain trail network, so you can link it up with other loops for a longer ride or hike. Whether you’re out for a quick hit of singletrack or adding it into a bigger day on the mountain, Black Widow is a fun and rewarding trail to check out.

For complete route information and interactive map,
check out the TrailForks route page:
trailforks.com/ridelog/planner/view/623833/