Hodges Dam – Lake Hodges loop from Trailhead Parking

Mountain biking trails

Hodges Dam – Lake Hodges loop from Trailhead Parking

Moderate

4.7

(9962)

9,963

riders

Hodges Dam – Lake Hodges loop from Trailhead Parking

03:47

53.1km

710m

Mountain biking

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: September 10, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 26.8 km for 294 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

4.12 km

Rancho Santa Fe

Highlight • Settlement

Rancho Santa Fe has a rich history that stretches back 175 years. In 1840, Mexican Governor Pio Pico granted land to Juan Osuna, who would become the first mayor of San Diego. In 1921, the Santa Fe Land Improvement Company transformed the area into a residential community celebrating agriculture, with winding roads full of stunning views of the surrounding landscape. This charming area is home to around 5,000 residents who enjoy a rural paradise with green hills, ocean vistas, and beautiful Spanish Colonial-style buildings. It is also home to the exclusive Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club, a notable highlight since the 1930s when it hosted clambakes thrown by the famous Bing Crosby—adding charm to the history of this beautiful area.

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11.1 km

Hodges Flume Rest Area

Highlight • Historical Site

watch out for rattlesnakes; all over these trails...

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13.1 km

Rattlesnake Viewpoint – View of Lake Hodges Dam and San Dieguito River

Highlight • Viewpoint

This viewpoint gets its name from the rock wall that winds around in the shape of a snake. Here, you'll find stunning views of Lake Hodges Dam and the San Dieguito River, along with a Pipe Scope Sculpture.

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13.9 km

Hodges Dam

Highlight (Segment) • Monument

Lake Drive passes through the community of Del Dios and runs along Lake Hodges to the dam, offering scenic views of the lake and countryside. This road is also used as part of the Coast to Crest Trail. Hodges Dam was constructed in 1918; the reservoir is a key feature of this route. The trail is a mix of hard-packed doubletrack and some tighter singletrack near the dam, great for beginner and intermediate riders. It is popular for its ease and proximity to trailheads and rewarding views of the dam.

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18.0 km

Lake Hodges Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This trail is mostly flat and winds along the west bank of Lake Hodges, offering views of the water and the dam along the way.

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22.7 km

Lake Hodges

Highlight • Lake

Lake Hodges is a beautiful reservoir with 27 miles of shoreline and fantastic views. It supplies water to some nearby districts and is a refreshing landmark traveling along the Coast to Crest Trail.

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24.9 km

Coast to Crest Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This is a great "quick ride" to get your blood flowing. You can stretch it for for miles in either direction. The Coast to Crest Trail just keeps getting better and better!

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