Crystal Cove Red Route

Nearby Destinations

Crystal Cove State Park

Nearby Guides

Content
provided by

Viewed 24392 times

(1 vote)

Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 5.5 miles / 8.9 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

Download to Phone

View Large Map

View Photos

Overview: This trail begins and ends at the El Moro Visitor Center. This loop gives you a tour of the El Moro Canyon, then climbs over 800' in elevation to the ridge line, where you'll enjoy some of the best coastline views in the park.

Tips: There is no shade, so wear protective clothing and sunscreen. There is no water, except at the visitor center. Bring plenty. This hike has a substantial elevation gain and can get hot.

I prefer to hike this loop in reverse, going up "I Think I Can" hill and down El Moro Ridge.

Points of Interest

map

El Moro Visitor Center

Get your $15 day use parking pass here. If you have an annual California State Park day use pass, you can use that instead.

map

Trailhead

The trail begins at the bottom of the El Moro parking lot. Take a left on the dirt path that parallels the fence line.

Note that construction is underway on a new drive-in campground due for completion in 2011.

map

Bridge

Turn left and cross the bridge.

map

Turn right at the first trail

This trail is affectionately referred to as "BFI" -- sometimes politely referred to as Big Fat Incline. It's a steep uphill slog.

map

Bear left

Directly ahead you'll see the Laguna Beach homes in Emerald Bay. Bear left at the gravel road and follow it up the ridge.

map

Viewpoint

Stop here to catch your breath and turn around to soak in the coastline views.

map

Utility Spur

Ignore the road to the right, as it is for utility access only. Bear left to continue up Moro Ridge.

map

Continue straight up Moro Ridge

The gravel road to the left is not a hiking trail.

map

Left on East Cut Across trail

Turn left at this junction, which takes you down the East Cut Across trail -- also known as "I Think I Can Hill."

map

Left on El Moro Canyon trail

At the bottom of the cut across trail, you turn left onto El Moro Canyon trail. This trail takes you back to the bridge you crossed. From there, retrace your steps to the El Moro Visitor Center.