Expert
California · United States
- Distance
- 45.5 km / 28.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 183 m
- Typical duration
- 10 hr
- Mountain
Los Pinetos Trail
HardCalifornia · United States
- Distance
- 12.5 km (7.8 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 1,682 m (5,518 ft)
- Estimated time
- 5 hr 8 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Route type
- Point to point
- Highest point
- Not recorded
About Los Pinetos Trail
Los Pinetos Trail is a 12.5 km hiking route in California, United States. It climbs roughly 1,682 m (5,518 ft) along the way. Most people take around 5 hr 8 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. It rewards preparation. Strong legs, an early start and a weather window all make a large difference here.
The character of the walk comes from the landscape it crosses rather than a single headline sight, which is exactly why it stays quiet even in high season.
It runs point to point, so arrange transport at the far end or plan a return leg before you set off. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.
It walks well across three seasons, with spring and autumn offering the best combination of light, temperature and quiet paths. The nearest town of any size is Sylmar, about 4.5 km away, which is where most people base themselves. The route is maintained by Los Angeles County.
In short, Los Pinetos Trail suits fit hikers with a habit of long days and an eye on the forecast. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Plan around this route’s details
- Start, finish and return
- The recorded 12.5 km line has different endpoints. Confirm travel from the finish before setting out; that return journey is additional to the mapped route.
- Climbing in context
- The recorded ascent averages approximately 134 m of climbing per kilometre across the whole route. This is climbing density, not trail gradient: climbs and flatter sections may be unevenly distributed.
- What needs a separate check
- This record does not establish surface, dog access, wheelchair access. Check any of these that affect your group. Current closures, access arrangements and transport are not verified by the route line.
Route map
Hard12.5 km1,682 m
Numbered marks every 5 km
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
Make it fit your day
Your walking-time scenario
Adjust the example pace and allowances to explore your own plan. This calculator uses your inputs, so it may differ from the directory’s headline estimate.
Calculated walking time including your allowances
6 hr 26 min
188 min for distance + 168 min for ascent + 30 min allowance.
Formula: distance ÷ pace × 60 + ascent ÷ 100 × climbing allowance + stops. Travel to and from the route is additional. Terrain, descent, weather and navigation are not modelled. These results do not establish route suitability. Read the time-planning guide.
Recorded route measurements
The route is normally walked in the direction described below. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.
Highlights
- Over 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of ascent
Know before you go
- Season field
- April to October
- Waymarked
- Not recorded as waymarked
- Surface
- Not recorded
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not recorded
- Entrance fee
- Not recorded
- Camping
- Not recorded
- Drinking water
- Not recorded as available
- Toilets
- Not recorded as available
- Mobile coverage
- Not verified
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 34/100
- Adventure
- 45/100
- Difficulty
- 70/100
- Accessibility
- 32/100
- Family
- 18/100
- Dogs
- 62/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Start at first light. A long day is far more pleasant when you are not racing the sunset on the descent.
- Aim for april to october for the most reliable conditions.
- Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.
- Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.
Safety
Emergency services in United States are reached on 911. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Offline map and compass
- Head torch and spare battery
- Extra warm layer
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. Take the shot on the way out. Conditions rarely improve by the time you come back past. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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Prepare for this walk
All planning articles →Understanding the map
Download a GPX route and check it before leaving
Take a route into your navigation app, check the imported line and understand what a GPX download does and does not contain.
Read article →Planning your day
Loops, out-and-backs and point-to-point return plans
Work out what a route's shape means for distance, endpoints and getting back after the walk.
Read article →Sources and confidence
What open route data can tell you—and what to verify locally
Distinguish source records, calculated estimates and missing details before relying on a route page.
Read article →Trails near Los Pinetos Trail
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