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San Carlos / Mission Trails · Free · Ranked in 1 list
Last updated
Cowles Mountain is a San Carlos / Mission Trails spot ranked #3 of 8 in our Best Hikes in San Diego list, scoring 86/100. Order the summit trail, 3 miles round trip. The highest point in the City of San Diego and the default local training hike.
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Score 86/100 · Order: Summit trail, 3 miles round trip · Free
Cowles Mountain is 1,593 feet and reachable from most of the city in twenty minutes, which is why it is always busy. The trail is wide and well-maintained, the climb is steady, and the summit gives a 360-degree view from the ocean to the mountains on clear days.
Local tip: Sunrise hikes are a local tradition; bring a headlamp and expect company.
Scored with our ranking methodology — hikes.
Written and fact-checked by the Sandi Spots Editorial team — San Diego residents publishing under Sleep Coast LLC. Every place we recommend has been visited in person or verified against an official source, and no business can pay for inclusion or a higher ranking. Last updated .