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Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve
Photo: Ray Henderson via Google
FreeParks & Hiking

Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve

Julian, CA

★★★★★4.8(119 Google reviews)

A free, no-pass trailhead just north of town where the summit trail climbs through oak and pine to sweeping views from the desert to the coast. Start early on hot days — the lower stretch is exposed — and keep an eye on the clock since the ranger locks the gate at sundown.

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1209 Farmer Rd, Julian, CA 92036, USA

(760) 765-4098

Free

Mountains, desert & beyondJulianNature

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What visitors say

  • Annie Chanthavysouk (Chanthavysouk)★★★★★

    You start with an up hill walk. Some might need a stick. It's a nice trail as much as i prefer going down hill which was my favorite coming back down. It's a moderate hike. Take some water to stay hydrated. Since it was a Mid January hike for us it gets a bit of a chilly wind you can hear it whistling and we ended up putting our sweaters light weight on coming back down. We love it and we were the only two hiking midweek. Plus its close enough to grab some protein at the Julian BBQ place downtown 😋

    7 months ago

  • Jerry Feitelson★★★★★

    Ie was really fun to go up the Five Oaks Trail and back down the main Volcan Mountain Trail. The views at the top were beautiful, and the maps provided great documentation of surrounding mountains. Thoroughly enjoyable.

    a year ago

  • Mick Calarco★★★★★

    What an amazing place! Today, we hiked the fire road to the summit and took the Five Oaks Trail back on the way down. The hiking is steep, but very doable, just take your time. Hiking on fire roads is very different than hiking on single-track trails with gentle switchbacks. Stunning views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, desert, and Julian. Parking was pretty easy and free. Check out the awesome public art that graces the wilderness preserve entrance. And, if that's not enough, depending on the time of year, you may pick apples from an orchard right across from the trailhead. Lots to enjoy here.

    4 years ago

  • Klausdg adventures★★★★★

    A great hike with amazing scenery and views. Started at 6:30 am. A little cloudy but not too bad. Perfect hiking conditions. About 55 degrees. Started up dirt road and a little ways in cut over to the 5 oaks trail. I recommend going this way. Trail is narrower through here but not bad. You climb through a mostly shaded area. Oaks all around you. Views of San Diego area. As you meet back up with main trail to the top it turns from trees to grass fields. Trail is much easier at this point. Not much climbing from here. Closer to the top you turn to the summit and on the east side is the desert. You can see the Salton sea and much of anza borrego desert. San Jacinto is to the north. At the summit there is a light tower and a picnic table. Behind the picnic table is a short trail to the rock on the summit. There is a marker in top of that rock. Great moderate hike.

    6 years ago

  • Krista Millen★★★★★

    The trek up is pretty much entirely uphill & definitely keeps your heart rate up. It's a pretty awesome view from the top though & dog friendly as well. Make sure to take the side trip along Five Oaks Trail since it hooks back up with Volcan Mountain Trail further up. Beautiful scenery along that little detour.

    7 years ago

Reviews from Google · See more on Google Maps

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