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When it comes to outdoor recreation, Catalina Island fits the bill. And as for hiking, Catalina can’t be beat. No other Channel Island features the diversity that Catalina has to offer. An assortment of loop trails give day hikers a great glimpse at a variety of Island locales. The “grand daddy” of them all is the Trans-Catalina Trail, a 37.2 mile trail that transverses the entire island.
Your Backpacking Adventure on Catalina w/o the Gear
Avoid carrying your camping gear by taking advantage of these transportation resources:
Catalina Backcountry offers one-stop shopping to groups that don’t want to be bothered with connecting all the dots. For a fee, Catalina Backcountry will arrange for all transportation to the Island, on-Island transportation, hiking permits and Freewheeler Bike Passes, campsite catering, gear hauling, excursions, hotel reservations, etc.
Catalina Transportation Services, Inc. provides gear transportation from Avalon directly to campsites at Hermit Gulch, Black Jack, Little Harbor and Two Harbors, and campsite to campsite.
Wildlands Express Airport Shuttle provides transportation from Avalon to Haypress Picnic Ground, Black Jack Campground and the Airport in the Sky.
Afishinados Charters provides transportation by sea to and from Avalon, Two Harbors and Parsons Landing. Shore Boats are available from Two Harbors to Emerald Bay all year long. However charter reservations are required.
Click here for contact information.
Avoid carrying your camping gear by taking advantage of these transportation resources:
Catalina Backcountry offers one-stop shopping to groups that don’t want to be bothered with connecting all the dots. For a fee, Catalina Backcountry will arrange for all transportation to the Island, on-Island transportation, hiking permits and Freewheeler Bike Passes, campsite catering, gear hauling, excursions, hotel reservations, etc.
Catalina Transportation Services, Inc. provides gear transportation from Avalon directly to campsites at Hermit Gulch, Black Jack, Little Harbor and Two Harbors, and campsite to campsite.
Wildlands Express Airport Shuttle provides transportation from Avalon to Haypress Picnic Ground, Black Jack Campground and the Airport in the Sky.
Afishinados Charters provides transportation by sea to and from Avalon, Two Harbors and Parsons Landing. Shore Boats are available from Two Harbors to Emerald Bay all year long. However charter reservations are required.
Click here for contact information.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Airport Loop Trail
A nice easy loop trail for people who visit the airport, with great views of Black Jack Mountain and Cottonwood Canyon
A nice easy loop trail for people who visit the airport, with great views of Black Jack Mountain and Cottonwood Canyon
Easy
2.2 mi/
3.5 km
3.5 km
Little Harbor and Shark Harbor
Two of the Islands most exotic locals, Little Harbor and its twin, Shark Harbor
Two of the Islands most exotic locals, Little Harbor and its twin, Shark Harbor
Easy
5.1 mi/
8.2 km
8.2 km
Cottonwood Beach Trail
Take a short trip to Cottonwood Beach and explore the unique land and seascape
Take a short trip to Cottonwood Beach and explore the unique land and seascape
Moderate
0.1 mi/
0.2 km
0.2 km
Trans-Catalina Trail Day 4: Back to Two Harbors
Day 4 of a 4-day backpack trip along the entire length of Catalina Island.
Day 4 of a 4-day backpack trip along the entire length of Catalina Island.
Moderate
8.1 mi/
13.0 km
13.0 km
Parsons Beach Trail
Views of Parsons Beach below and the Channel in the distance
Views of Parsons Beach below and the Channel in the distance
Difficult
0.4 mi/
0.6 km
0.6 km
Trans-Catalina Trail Day 2: Two Harbors
Day 2 of a 4-day backpacking trip along the entire length of Catalina Island.
Day 2 of a 4-day backpacking trip along the entire length of Catalina Island.
Difficult
13.6 mi/
22 km
22 km
Black Jack Trail - Catalina Island
Hike to Black Jack and learn about the old mines and history of the area
Hike to Black Jack and learn about the old mines and history of the area
Difficult
14.0 mi/
23 km
23 km
Trans-Catalina Trail Day 1: Avalon to Black Jack
Day 1 of a 4-day backpacking trip spanning the entire length of Catalina Island.
Day 1 of a 4-day backpacking trip spanning the entire length of Catalina Island.
Difficult
14.9 mi/
24 km
24 km
Trans-Catalina Trail Day 3: Starlight Beach
Day 3 of a 4-day backpacking trip along the entire length of Catalina Island.
Day 3 of a 4-day backpacking trip along the entire length of Catalina Island.
Difficult
17.0 mi/
27 km
27 km
Guides
A four-day backpacking trip that traverses the length and breadth of beautiful Santa Catalina Island.
Day 3 of a 4-day backpacking trip along the entire length of Catalina Island.
Day 1 of a 4-day backpacking trip spanning the entire length of Catalina Island.
Day 2 of a 4-day backpacking trip along the entire length of Catalina Island.
Day 4 of a 4-day backpack trip along the entire length of Catalina Island.
Up for a short hike with a big payoff?
A nice easy loop trail for people who visit the airport, with great views of Black Jack Mountain and Cottonwood Canyon
Hike to Black Jack and learn about the old mines and history of the area
Views of Parsons Beach below and the Channel in the distance
Take a short trip to Cottonwood Beach and explore the unique land and seascape
Two of the Islands most exotic locals, Little Harbor and its twin, Shark Harbor
Community Trips
![[Group 25]-IMG_4008_IMG_4009-2 images.jpg Photo](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ktDqYefaWsY/TJhBtisD7FI/AAAAAAABMx8/saxlGiyzQcM/s200/%5BGroup%2025%5D-IMG_4008_IMG_4009-2%20images.jpg "[Group 25]-IMG_4008_IMG_4009-2 images.jpg Photo")
Day hike around Avalon in Catalina Island. Hermit Gulch trail -> TCT -> Renton Mine Road -> Avalon
My girlfriend and I hiked the trans-catalina trail on Christmas weekend. Since this trip is a little difficult logistically and there is not much information available, I'll try to make this description fairly detailed.Trip Plan:Day 1 - Hermit Gulch to BlackjackDay 2 - Blackjack to Two HarborsDay 3 - Two Harbors to Starlight (the "end"), then back to Parsons LandingDay 4 - Parsons Landing to Two Harbors to catch the Catalina Express...
Catalina Hermit Gulch (Avalon) to Blackjack campground.. long way
Avalon, California, United States
10.2 miles
10.2 miles
Took boat to Avalon.. then spent night at hermit Gulch.. about 1.5 miles from Avalon.the time is wrong on this gps track... took us about 7 hours...In morning headed to blackjackFirst 2 miles were brutal up hill, then not too bad.Got many different stories about routes and water from various rangers.You can get water at the playground where the trans Catalina trail crosses airport road. Above Toyon bay... No clue why a...
Rain and wind couldn't stop a record number of competitors from racing in the Buffalo Run Half Marathon on Catalina Island in 2010. The course was muddy and memorable.
A nice hike to see Cat Harbor from a high point, and see some of the back side of the island. Started at the campground, and ended at the town. We did this in the late afternoon for cooler breezes. We came across a bison feeding near the trail. We learned that this guy waits near the gate for a car to open it and then comes though to feed on this...
Took a group of 25 college students on this trail. Enjoyed spectacular views of the island once we got above the marine layer. Don't be deceived by the relatively short distance - this is a tough trail even with just day packs. The elevation gain is pretty brutal. Also, this is a very dry trail. Get plenty of water from Two Harbors.
Reviews
