Idyllwild Hiking

Idyllwild gives way to many exciting and diverse mountain trails that provide hikers majestic views and breath-taking scenery. Offering a variety of trails enables hikers and adventurers of different skills and ages to take the opportunity to enjoy.

Idyllwild in the past was voted America’s cleanest forest. Unfortunately, we have seen time and time again a littering of the beautiful mountain terrain. Please keep the mountains beautiful by cleaning up after yourself. Remember if you pack it in, pack it out. Keeping our national treasures clean keeps it enjoyable for everyone.

I really hate repeating myself, but I am going to anyways. PLEASE keep the mountains beautiful by cleaning up after yourself.

Idyllwild Shopping

Downtown Idyllwild is a charming and delightful, rustic village filled with antique shops, art galleries, specialty shops, restaurants, cafés and more.

Spend some time leisurely strolling through our town and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding wilderness.

Go Shopping

Idyllwild is truly a unique shopping destination.

You will not find any chain stores or franchises in Idyllwild.

Nearly all the businesses are owned or operated by friendly, local residents.

Browse Art Galleries

Idyllwild boasts of numerous art galleries in and around town. Enjoy the creations, meet the artists, and take home a work of art.

Visit Our Museum

Learn about Idyllwild’s history at the Idyllwild Area Historical Society Museum.

Watch a Movie

Munch on popcorn while watching a movie at our downtown theatre.

Have Brunch

… or breakfast, or lunch or dinner!  Idyllwild offers a variety of fine dining establishments, some of which feature live music for your enjoyment.

People Watch

Sit under a tree or find a bench and watch the people go, all the while surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Idyllwild Hiking Trails

Fuller Ridge Trail To San Jacinto Peak – 3000′ elevation gain. A one-day strenous hike, leaves from atop Black Mtn., very scenic. Recommended season: June – October. Access road (Black Mtn.) closed usually November – May.

Approx. 1 way miles 7.5

Seven Pines Trail (2E13) To Deer Springs – 2600′ elevation gain, moderate day hike, leaves Dark Canyon Camp area, very nice. Recommended Season: June – October. Access road (Dark Canyon) closed usually November – May.

Approx. 1 way miles 3.75

Marion Mountain Trail (2E14) to San Jacinto Peak – 4400′ elevation gain. A strenuous one-day hike with the steep switchbacks, good for experienced or “in shape” hikers. Recommended season: June – October. Access road (Marion Mtn.) usually closed November – May.

Approx. 1 way miles 5.8

Deer Springs (3E33) To Suicide Rock – 1700′ elevation gain. Moderate day hike, across from Visitor’s Center, good overall view from Suicide Rock, no running water. Recommended season: May – November.

Approx. 1 way miles 3.3

Deer Springs (3E33) to Little Round Valley (8 miles) to Peak (9.7 Miles) – Down Wellman’s Cienega (12.3 Miles) and Devil’s Slide Trail (17.7 Miles) – 5000′ elevation gain. Moderate two-day hike. Recommended season: June – October

Approx. 1 way miles 16.65

Devil’s Slide Trail (3E05) to Saddle Junction – 1700′ elevation gain. Moderate day hike, most popular trail, gets crowded, limited to 25 permits on weekends & holidays from May – Sept. Recommended Season: June – October.

Approx. 1 way miles 2.5
Devil’s Slide (3E05) to Wellman’s Cienega (5.1 miles) To San Jacinto Peak (7.7 miles) – 4400′ elevation gain. Strenuous day hike. Recommended season: June – October Approx. 1 way miles 7.7

Tram To Round Valley – 700′ elevation gain. Easy day hike, fairly level. Recommended season: June – October. Access from the Palm Springs Tramway in Palm Springs.

Approx. 1 way miles 1.7

Tram to San Jacinto Peak – 2300′ elevation gain. Moderate day hike, most of gain is in last part of hike, towards peak. Recommended season: June – October. Access from the Palm Springs Tramway in Palm Springs.

Approx. 1 way miles 5.8

Devil’s Slide Trail (3E05) to Tahquitz Valley (3.1 miles), to Laws (4.7 miles) & Caramba (6.7 miles) – 3300′ elevation gain. Moderate day hike. Recommended season: June – October.

Approx. 1 way miles 6.7

Devil’s Slide Trail (3E05) to Tahquitz Peak – 2400′ elevation gain. Moderate day hike. Recommended season: June – October

Approx. 1 way miles 4.3

South Ridge Trail (3E08) to Tahquitz Peak – 2000′ elevation gain. Moderate day hike, best to do in early morning during summer, very warm and dry trail in the afternoon.

Approx. 1 way miles 3.6

Suicide Rock Idyllwild California

Suicide Rock — Idyllwild California

Suicide rock is another famous rock for rock climbers. The rock received its legendary name from a story of an American Native Princess who threw herself off the rock with her lover rather than being separated as the Tribal Chief had ordered.

Suicide rock has a few different ways to approach. The approach has a groomed trail and begins across from Fern Valley Road. Walk down the hillside, you will cross Strawberry Creek then you will turn right on Forest Haven Road (this is a paved road).

Follow Forest Haven to the end where it becomes dirt. When it becomes dirt you will see a trail on your left. It is on this trail where it gets a bit steeper. The trail will bring you to the base of Suicide Rock. The trail brings you to the Buttress of Cracks, the Main Sunshine Face and Weeping Wall.

Smooth Sole Walls

Smooth Sole Walls

South Face
South Pinnacle
South Side
Sunkist Face

Location: Below Sunshine Face
and a bit to the left.

Two large walls with Chatsworth Chimney as the divider. Limp Dick sits at the top. On this Sole Wall face there are climbs for every skill of climber. Climbs up into the 5.11′s and down into the 5.7′s.

Choose your Route

Battle of the Bulge 5.11a
Blown Out 5.10d
Chatsworth Chimney 5.7
Dick Tracy 5.10c
Dickhead 5.11b
Down and Out 5.10c
Drowned Out 5.10a
Fellatio 5.10c
Five Tree 5.3
Howard’s Fifty-footer 5.10d
Last Dance 5.10a
Limp Dick 5.10a
Mickey Mantle 5.8
Over and Out 5.9
PinHead 5.12a
Pink Royd 5.10d
Pink Royd Direct Finish 5.10c
Sensuous Corner 5.9
Steppin’ Out 5.11d
The Fiend 5.9
Toxic Waltz 5.11c
Ultimatum 5.10b

My Obsession Boulder

My Obsession Boulder

North Face
North Side
Northeast Buttress
Piasano Pinnacle
Rebolting Face
Right of the Escalator
Sideshow Slab

This boulder is located 100+ feet below Smooth Sole Walls. It can be reached from the base of the Sunshine Face or go down to the right from the Chatsworth Chimney. Your best bet is to buy the guide, it has much more detail on how to get to the right spot.

Choose your Route

Powell-Waugh Seam 5.11d
Super Buzz 5.11a
My Obsession 5.12a

Le Dent Pinnacle Area

Le Dent Pinnacle Area

Limp Dick
Lower East Face

This is a very technical area with lots of advanced climbs. The easiest approach is from the top of the rock and to descend down a gulley the drops just to the west of the south face. Involves short 5th class downclimbing, tunneling under some chockstones. Very memorable area. However, Your best bet is to buy the guide, it has much more detail on how to get to the right spot.

Choose your Route

Floating Log 5.11c
Munge Dihedral 5.10a
Forest Lawn A2
Root Canal 5.7
South Arete 5.11d
Le Petite Gratton 5.11c
Hey Vic, Over Here 5.10a
Le Dent 5.6
Jammit 5.9
Sugar Magnolia 5.11d
Dammit 5.10a
Holiday 5.10a
Reunion 5.11a
Deck City Slab 5.10d
Steal Your Face 5.12b
Box of Rain 5.10d

Deception Pillar Idyllwild

Deception Pillar

Eagle Pinnacle
Godzilla Face

Deception Pillar is a 200 foot high buttress that bumps up to the margin of the south face. The best way to approach the south face is to head left along the base of the Buttress of Cracks then up the gully. This rock, you had better buy the guide, it has much more detail on how to get to the right spot

Choose your Route

Deception Pillar 5.9
The Great Pretender 5.12b
Brilliant Disguise 5.11a
Running A Rig 5.11c
Short Story 5.7
Twilight Delight 5.9
Bommerang 5.9
Hells Angel 5.12a
Midnight Sun Variation 5.12a
Archangel 5.11d
Bolts to Somewhere 5.11, A1
Hades 5.13a

Arpa Carpa Cliff Idyllwild

Arpa Carpa Cliff

Below Smooth Wall
Buttress of Cracks

Approach is easiest from the top of the rock.You can climb a route up to the summit, or you can head right from the Weeping Wall then go left up a trail to the summit.

When you reach the summit, head southwest, down a slope to the right of the cliff. At this bottom of the slope, Arpa Carpa Cliff will be found on your left. Your best bet is to buy the guide, it has much more detail on how to get to the right spot.

Thomas Mountain Idyllwild

Thomas Mountain – Idyllwild CA

Ride Type: Loop
Trail Type: Single Track 50%
Dirt Road 50%
Distance: 16.00 miles (25.74 KM)
Duration: 2 – 3 Hours
Elevation Gain: 1700 Feet (518 Meters)
Climbing: Long
Skill Level: Weekend Warriors
User Density: not specified.

Trail Description:
There are two ways up, short and steep, or long and rolling with a descent that rocks!

For the long and rolling way – go east from parking area on highway and right at the sign for Thomas Mtn. For the short and steep way – go west from parking area on highway and left on 1st open fireroad

The Trailhead at the top is marked with brown flexpost and surrounding boulders. At 3miles make a hard left at a trail junction.

How to get there:
The trail is in Riverside county on Hwy 74 between Hwy 243 and 371 in Garner Valley.

Additional Notes:
The trail gets a little loose in summer, but this ride is worldclass, very well known.

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