The Best Hiking and Mountain Biking Trails in Conejo Ridge Open Space
Conejo Ridge Open Space is a mountain biking and hiking destination in Ventura County in Thousand Oaks, CA. The area is known for its spectacular vistas and extensive trails. With a variety of beginner and advanced trails, this open space offers something for everyone.
If you’re looking for a challenging hike or run, the Hillcrest Ridge Trail is a great place to start. This trail runs along crests of steep hills and zigzags to a plateau. It’s 4.7 miles in length and gains about 1000 feet in elevation. There’s also a shorter White Sage Trail that can be combined with the Hillcrest Trail.
If you’re in the mood for a quick jaunt around the park, consider the Arroyo Conejo Fireroad. This short fireroad runs alongside the ridge and is an enjoyable workout. While it’s not as steep as the hilly portions of the Hillcrest Open Space Preserve, it’s a good workout all the same. You can also access the trails from the Santa Rosa County Park near the Santa Rosa Valley.
Another fun mountain bike trail is the Peninsula Trail. It’s located in the Western Plateau Trail, and it’s actually a loop. This trail is short, but offers some excellent views of the surrounding mountains. At the top of the trail, you’ll get an overlook of Hawk Canyon. It’s a fairly easy loop, and you can even take a short bypass to avoid the uphill portion of the trail.
The Penisula Trail is another worthwhile hiking trail in the Conejo Ridge Open Space. This trail runs along a ridge and rejoins the Western Plateau Trail about half way down. Compared to the rest of the Western Plateau trail, it’s not as steep. However, it does have a high technical rating, so you’ll want to bring a sturdy pair of shoes.
There’s no shortage of other trails in the Conejo Ridge Open Space. The Western Plateau Trail and the Overlook Trail are both worth a look. For a full-circle of the peninsula, the Peninsula Trail is the way to go. Fortunately, the Peninsula Trail connects with several other routes, so you’re sure to find a loop that suits you.
One trail that hasn’t been mentioned is the Baxter Singletrack. This one is less than half a mile long and has a high technical rating. You can start the trail at the equipment covered by a chain-link fence, which is about a quarter of the way down the trail. In other words, it’s not the shortest trail in the area, but it’s definitely the longest.
Lastly, the Moovit app helps you figure out how to get to Conejo Ridge Open Space. It’s a free, all-in-one transit app that’ll show you how to get to the park, find the best train and bus times, and give you a detailed map of the route. Plus, it’ll even tell you how far you have to walk, bike or drive to reach the most important spots. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced mountain biker, Moovit can help you make the most of your visit to Conejo Ridge Open Space.