Paws to Enjoy the View

Dog-Friendly Hike: Steep Canyon in Diamond Bar

One thing is for certain: Steep Canyon lives up to its name. Long staircases, intense hills…this 2.1-mile loop trail packs a punch! But the best part? The incredible views from the top. At the summit, you and your four-legged friend will be rewarded with unobstructed 360-degree views from Mount Wilson to downtown Los Angeles and everything in between.

The trailhead is just minutes from the Pomona Freeway (CA-60) in Diamond Bar, making it perfect for these short winter days. The scent of wild sage fills the air as you trek up and down the rolling hills with your furry friend. In addition to the panoramic views, the two of you can check out stately oak and sycamore trees intermixed with cactus and wildflowers. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow, with five separate entry and exit points along the loop. Check the map at the trailhead before heading up, though, because trail forks are unmarked. Be sure to keep following the counterclockwise loop so you don’t accidentally exit the trail early.

Want to up the intensity of your workout? Add on the Canyon Route Loop, bumping up the total distance to 3.1 miles. While the exposed trails might be rough for furry adventure buddies during the heat of summer, dogs in decent shape will have no problem navigating the steep slopes on cooler days. And if one of you starts feeling a little winded after any of the particularly fierce hills, you’ll find plenty of benches where you can stop and take in the views together, or maybe read one of the cool informational plaques to learn something new about SoCal (LA was founded in 1781!). There’s nothing like pausing to enjoy the moment with your best friend.

Exit CA-60 at Diamond Bar Blvd. and head south. Turn left on Steep Canyon Rd. and follow it to the top of the hill. The trailhead is on the left. Park along the residential streets, being courteous and respectful of residents and their property. The trail is open a half-hour before sunrise and closes a half-hour after sunset.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Man hiking up a trail at Montara Mountain, with a view of the Pacific and Grey Whale sand beach in the background

    From Beach to Summit

    No need to decide between a beach and a mountaintop—this hike includes both! Explore the stunning coastal scenery on this 6-mile out-and-back up Montara Mountain and into Rancho Corral de Tierra.

    View
  2. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

    View
  3. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

    View
  4. Go, Tell It on the Mountain

    Want to be king of the mountain? Head to King Mountain, the 108-acre open space preserve just above Larkspur in Marin. Despite its lofty name, hiking King Mountain proves that simp

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman walking in the Venice Canals of Los Angeles County

    Canal Contemplations

    With its incense-scented boardwalk, bohemian shops, skateparks, and abundance of body builders, Venice is happily eccentric, and artistic. Exhibit A: Its network of European-style canals with charming bridges, offering a tranquil tour of the town’s history.

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Yes, Seattle!

    Ready to try something new this winter? Seattle’s ready for you! Beautiful by nature with its Puget Sound setting, surrounding mountains, and nearby national parks, winter in Seattle can be a magical and festive time. Ever been in a hot tub boat?...

    View
  3. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

    View
  4. What's Up, Winthrop!

    It’s not just its location close to Washington State’s spectacular and less visited national park (North Cascades) that makes Winthrop such a winsome mountain town. This lively enclave in the Methow Valley bristles with a whimsical blend of Wild West charms, contemporary culture, and a mosaic of outdoor adventures—from river to lake to waterfalls, and beyond.

    View