Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

Bella Vista Trail–Canyon Trail, 5 sights

8.4 mi · ▲ 1,217 ft · 3 hr 25 min

Bella Vista Trail–Canyon Trail, 5 sights is an 8.4-mile out-and-back in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve near Vista Verde, CA. It climbs 1,217 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade. It scores 47/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi1,828 – 2,674 ft · steepest grade: 17%8.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 37.34149, -122.17637
Nearest town Vista Verde, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Bella Vista Trail–Canyon Trail, 5 sights

8.4 mi · ▲ 1,217 ft · 3 hr 25 min

Elevation 1,828–2,675 ft

Out & Back · Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

Trailhead: 37.34149, -122.17637

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:56 AM · sunset 7:10 PM

No dogs on part of this route

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
  2. 0.2 miBear right onto Page Mill Trail, heading SW.
  3. 1 miSharp right onto Lost Creek Loop Trail, heading NW.
  4. 0.6 miContinue straight onto Franciscan Loop Trail, heading E.
  5. 0.4 miTurn left, heading SW.
  6. 150 ftContinue straight onto Canyon Trail, heading S.
  7. 1.2 miSharp left onto Indian Creek Trail, heading E.
  8. 1 miSharp left onto Old Ranch Trail, heading N.
  9. 0.2 miTurn left onto Monte Bello Road (Trail), heading W.
  10. 0.3 miTurn left onto Bella Vista Trail, heading W.
  11. 0.8 miContinue straight onto Canyon Trail, heading SW.
  12. 0.4 miSharp right onto Page Mill Trail, heading NW.
  13. 2.1 miBear left, heading E.
  14. 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

12% dirt5% gravel83% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:56 AMSunset 7:10 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.4 mi in (~106 min). Leave by 5:04 PM for the 7:10 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • No dogs on part of this route

Other ways to reach this destination

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