The Red Route is one of my favorite hiking trails in Crystal Cove State Park. At 5.5 miles and over 800′ of vertical gain, this loop makes for a great workout. The length is about right to make it worth the trip, but won’t take all day. And the scenery is fantastic. The hike down Moro Ridge gives you some of the best coastal views in the park.
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 820 ft
When to go: Year round
The trail begins at the bottom of the parking lot. Take a left and follow the dirt trail that parallels the fence-line. Currently you’ll see construction underway on the new drive-in campsites being built at Crystal Cove that should be opening later in 2011.
As the dusty trail winds down to the bottom of the hill, and you’ll turn left and cross the bridge. This is the El Moro Canyon trail.
At this point you have to chose which way to hike the loop. You can take the first right and hike up the trail known affectionately as “BFI“. Polite hikers will insist that this stands for Big “Fat” Incline, although I’ve heard more colorful options, and tend to agree with the latter.
I prefer to take this loop clockwise, continuing up El Moro Canyon and “I Think I Can“, then descending via El Moro Ridge and BFI. The choice is yours.
Continue up El Morro Canyon until you reach the second trail to the right. This is called East Cutoff Trail, or “I Think I Can.” It’s a long, uphill slog. Don’t be surprised if you encounter a few mountain bikers climbing slow-and-steady up this hill.
When you reach the top of the hill, bear right to head down El Moro Ridge back towards the coastline. During the spring, the hills are dotted with wildflowers. In the summer, keep your eyes peeled for rattlesnakes! I’ve also seen rabbits and deer (yes, there are deer back here!).
El Moro Ridge meanders toward the coast, eventually descending back down. You’ll get great views up and down the coastline from Laguna Beach to Newport Coast. As you see Pacific Coast Highway, watch for the trail marker on your right. This trail becomes BFI and leads you back down to El Moro Canyon just east of the bridge you crossed earlier.
From here, retrace your steps back to the visitor center.
Crystal Cove Red Route Trail Map and Elevation Profile
Photo Gallery
Essential Crystal Cove State Park Resources
- 3D view of Crystal Cove Red Route in Google Earth
- GPS user? Download the Crystal Cove Red Route GPX file
- Crystal Cove Interpretive Association
- I’ve seen rabbits, rattlesnakes and deer here. There are supposedly coyotes and bobcats, but I haven’t seen them. If you’re interested in learning more about the wildlife at Crystal Cove, stop by the visitor center. They have some great displays and free brochures to the plants, birds and wildlife of the park.
Oscar says
July 27, 2011 at 2:35 pmThat’s great, I’ve done some of the trails on Crystal Cove, but not sure if I’ve done this one. I didn’t realize you were into hiking this much. Your site is really slick and prtty neat that you’ve tracked all your miles and elevation and stuff.
I’m going to show my wife your site because she’s been doing a lot of hiking lately and wants to find new spots. Also, that map/wordpress plugin seems pretty slick. Gonna have to try it soon.
Jeff Hester says
July 28, 2011 at 10:51 amThanks, Oscar! Crystal Cove is a great place to hike. The only thing to watch for is the lack of sun protection. You’re pretty much exposed throughout the park, especially at mid-day. Hat plus sunscreen is a must this time of year.
If you have any tips on other hiking trails you’d like to me add, let me know and I’ll put them on my “to-hike” list.
Ponchos says
September 10, 2012 at 9:58 amGreat route this! Thanks.
Catherine says
June 2, 2014 at 8:20 pmSo, just FYI. My friend and I went here after 6pm and got a $72 parking ticket. DO NOT go there after 6pm thinking you can park for free. False advertising, I promise you. I have the ticket to prove it. $15 is cheaper!
Jim Doe says
October 19, 2016 at 8:05 pmDO NOT PAY THIS PARK ANYTHING. PARK IN THE STORES ACROSS THE STREET, THEY WILL NOT TOW, TEACH THESE PARK RANGERS A LESSON ABOUT ISSUING PARKING TICKETS WHILE THERE IS STILL ORANGE IN THE SKY. DO NOT GIVE THIS PARK A DIME, WALK IN THERE AND ENJOY IT.
I HAVE BEEN AN ANNUAL PASS HOLDER FOR MORE THAN A DECADE AND ONE PARK RANGER, OFFICER BARBA, ISSUES $96 TICKETS WHILE MANY ARE STILL ENJOYING THE ORANGE IN THE SKY. ABUSE OF POWER AND HORRIBLE PUBLIC RELATIONS.
THE GREED OF THIS PART OF GOVERNMENT AND OFFICE BARBA, HIS SUPERVISORS, IS PATHETIC AND NEEDS TO CEASE. WRITE NEWPORT CITY COUNCIL, SANTA ANA, AND SACRAMENTO ABOUT THIS GAUGING OF THE PUBLIC.
JUST DO NOT BUY PASSES HERE ALTHOUGH IT IS BEAUTIFUL PLACE. GO TO OTHER PARKS, THESE RANGERS HERE ARE OUT OF CONTROL.
R W says
October 2, 2017 at 9:10 pmI have hiked here regularly and have heard but never seen rattlesnakes – people who have seen them have had it be on hot afternoons. I did see a super cool king snake last summer – it just did its thing, and it was an open area where we could skirt around it.
I have also seen:
– a pair of turkey vultures who ride the thermals each morning – mesmerizing!
– roadrunners!
– bunnies!
– did see a coyote on the trail near the bottom of BFI last summer – it just did its thing and did not bother us. I have seen scat (coyote poop) on the main trails regularly.
– lizards
No sign where I have been of bobcats or cougars/pumas/mtn lions though technically they can roam here. Never seen deer here though seen tracks.
The trails can get hot and there is very little shade. Be sure to bring plenty of water and plan your hike within your limits.