Orange County’s hiking and biking trails present many opportunities to stay active throughout the year.
Gypsum Canyon Wilderness, a 500-acre property located within OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, features 6 miles of new trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, along with lookout points that offer sweeping views of the surrounding canyons, Santa Ana Mountains and beyond.
Gypsum Canyon Wilderness features dramatic cobble and sandstone bluffs formed 16 to 20 million years ago when the earliest camels, horses, rhinos and saber-toothed deer roamed the area. Today, its protected and preserved native habitats are home to an abundance of wildlife including mule deer, red-tailed hawks, California gnatcatchers and bobcats. California poppies color the hillsides in the spring months while oak-studded meadows and large sycamore trees can be enjoyed year-round.
The area includes seven new trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty. Take in the expansive views of the surrounding landscape and colorful rock formations from two scenic overlooks.
For more information about active transportation resources and safety, visit here.