SLO is growing its network of hiking, biking trails. Where and what to expect
As San Luis Obispo’s hills grow lush with springtime grasses, the city is expanding its trail system to improve access to outdoor spaces.
As of early March, the San Luis Obispo Ranger Service had built two more bike trails, repaired or improved at least four hiking trails and were expanding two other hiking trails.
Meanwhile, ranger staff and the Office of Sustainability and Natural Resources were building a Strategic Trail Plan to expand trail connectivity and accessibility for future generations.
Here’s a look at the new trails the city’s open spaces have to offer.
SLO City builds more bike trails
The final build out of the Righetti Open Space trail system was finally completed in the fall, and now, it offers a route designed especially for mountain bikers.
Rangers finished building this beginner-friendly bike route called the Bunny Hops Trail in November.
The trail was designed to be slightly more challenging than the Beginner Mountain Bike Loop at Laguna Lake Park.
“Rangers packed this beginner-friendly trail with one purpose-built feature after another; Bunny Hops includes jumps, berms, drops, rock gardens, rollers and rhythm sections, skinnies and a wooden roller coaster feature,” a city news release said. “Every feature is designed to help beginner riders progress their skills and most importantly have fun.“
The Righetti trail system also includes the Quarry Trail, which offers hikers panoramic views of the city, along with the Roadrunner Roundabout, a multi-use trail option for both bikers and hikers.
Meanwhile, rangers and volunteers recently installed dirt jumps in the Expert Line at the Laguna Lake Bike Park, which now includes a total of 11 jumps, the city said.
The Laguna Lake Bike Park also offers a half-mile loop trail for beginners, a “kids pump track” for children younger than 8-years-old and a jump line for intermediate bikers, the city said.
“Riders can develop their skills on the progressive line and challenge themselves on the expert line,” the release said.
Finally, rangers are working on building a fresh beginner jump line at Laguna Lake.
“Built to be pure fun for kids, this line is the ultimate place for young riders to build their confidence and master the basics of airtime,” the release said.
SLO expands hiking trails
In early March, the city was building a 2-mile hiking trail called Backburn Trail at Bowden Ranch in the Reservoir Canyon Open Space.
“Backburn Trail will access the summit as a mellow alternate to the existing, steep Firefighter Trail,” the city said.
But, if hikers want a more challenging option, they can take the existing Firefighter Trail from the Lizzie Street Trailhead, which expands into multiple different loops.
People can sign up to volunteer to help build the Backburn Trail on Wednesday mornings and some Saturdays at volunteer.slocity.org.
Meanwhile, crews are working to upgrade the Stenner Flow trail in the Stenner Springs Open Space.
“Originally hand built in 2014, the trail is undergoing a major overhaul using modern techniques and rangers’ specialized trail equipment,” the release said. “Though it will take some time for loose soil to set in, expect new features, improved drainage and sustainability and better flow.”
Later this year, the city plans to improve the Eucs Trail in Stenner Springs Natural Preserve and improve the HiBar and Panorama trails at Miossi Open Space.
Rangers completed repairs and maintenance on at least five other trails during the fall and winter.
In late 2025, rangers completed routine maintenance to prepare trails for winter, including the Filipponi Connector trail above Johnson Ranch, Cerro San Luis and Stenner Springs.
Finally, crews repaired a section of the Summit Trail on Bishop Peak, which was damaged by a landslide during a November storm.
Visit the city’s Trail Project’s web page to see which trails the ranger service is working on at https://bit.ly/4b4jhde.
