Carlsbad has about 67 miles of trails to enjoy. If you have friends or family visiting over the winter holidays, or you just want to get outside, here are five great city trails to check out. We’re also sharing videos of each trail so you can get a sneak peek.

1. La Costa Valley Trail – This trail is 1.3 miles and a relatively easy hike. Part of it is paved and wheelchair accessible. You’ll see beautiful trees, such as willow and cottonwood, and there’s a seasonal creek that connects to the Batiquitos Lagoon, where there are unique birds and marine life specific to California coastal lagoons. Watch the video

Difficulty: Easy

Parking: Along Paseo Aliso or at El Camino Creek Elementary School.

1. Rancho Carrillo Trail. This 3.6-mile trail encompasses the Historic Leo Carrillo Historic Park along the San Marcos Creek on its west loop (2.1 miles) and offers gorgeous ocean views on its east loop (1.5 miles.) You will need to cross at the crosswalk on Melrose Street to connect the eastern and western portion of the trail. You’ll see a wide range of plants and wildlife including freshwater marsh and non-native grasses, as well as small mammals, reptiles and birds, including the California Gnatcatcher. Watch the video. 

Difficulty: Easy to moderately difficult
Parking: A paved lot at the Carrillo Elementary School and on an unpaved lot off Melrose Street. 

1. Robertson Ranch Trail – This gently rolling trail is 1.7 miles long and crosses a seasonal creek that’s perfect for bird watching. Keep going and you can take a rest in the shade of willows and cottonwoods as you hike through a beautiful valley The Robertson Ranch Trail abuts the Agua Hedionda Creek and crosses it at the south and north ends of the trail. On the south end, you’ll find a concrete culvert that provides an excellent platform to view riparian wildlife and its habitat. Watch the video.

Difficulty: Easy to difficult
Parking: On the street along Alander Court, Fire Station 3 on Trailblazer Way or Robertson Road.

1. Aviara Trails –   The Aviara trail system is 6.8 miles in total and the best-known portion is the 2.7-mile Batiquitos Lagoon North Shore Trail. It runs close to the water and the Aviara golf course, so you get wonderful views and coastal breezes. Egrets, raptors, herons, and many other water fowl and migrating birds call the lagoon home in the winter months. The other trails in the Aviara Trail system include Eucalyptus Trail (Difficult 2.0 miles), Black Sage Trail (Moderate .8 miles), Golf View Trail (Difficult .6 miles) and Salt Marsh Trail (Moderate .5 miles.) Watch the video.

Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Parking: At the Visitors Center or street parking on Gabbiano Lane.   

1. Village H Trail North – This 0.4-mile trail wanders through a eucalyptus grove and traverses a narrow, long canyon with coastal sage and hilltops and slopes with groves of eucalyptus trees. Wildlife spotted here include kites, red shouldered hawks and various nesting raptors in the eucalyptus groves. trail. Watch the video.

Difficulty: Difficult 

Parking: On the south side of Victoria Lane at intersection of Carlsbad Village Drive and use crosswalk on Carlsbad Village Drive.

Remember, before you head out, visit our GoHike Carlsbad portal and download the app to find in-depth information about each trail.

More information
Carlsbad trails webpage
GoHike Carlsbad