Explore Saddleback Wilderness and hike OC Parks’ newest trails.

Learn about native plants and animals that call the area home and experience some of the best views the canyons have to offer. This moderate hike on unpaved dirt trails will be approximately 2.5 miles round trip with 200 feet of elevation gain. We’ll take breaks to enjoy the views and talk about local history throughout the hike. Highlights will include Saddleback Park racetrack and the habitat’s remarkable recovery since its closure almost 40 years ago.

Participants should come prepared with water, snacks, sun protection and sturdy walking shoes. Rain will cancel the program. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Advance registration required.

If you are comfortable riding your mountain bike in various terrain and would like to extend your opportunities to riding after dark, this Introduction to Night Riding is for you! This short cross country-style ride in the Saddleback Wilderness park will be slow paced and include a mix of single track with some brief punchy fire road climbs. With a total of 3-4 miles and approximately 350 feet of climbing, this short ride will reach a summit with panoramic views stretching from the mountains to the sea. Primary focus will be the unique aspects of night riding and is not intended as a fitness challenge. Daytime experience with the Saddleback Wilderness trails is recommended but not required. Specifically, we will start by discussing lighting options from budget to premium, helmet and bar mounts, night riding etiquette (don’t blind other riders!), and additional safety concerns. This is a great opportunity for experienced trail riders to try out their lighting systems at night in an area free of cars. It can serve as a good prerequisite to other IRC events which require previous night riding experience. Participants must provide their own mountain bike and light system appropriate for off-road riding in order to participate.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Join us for a fast-paced, introduction to cardio hiking in the Saddleback Wilderness, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. Along the way, we’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Orange County and possible wildlife sightings. This is a 3.5-mile cardio hike, completed in less than 1.5 hours and includes a 350+ foot total elevation gain. This hike is for physically fit hikers who enjoy the challenge of a faster paced outdoor experience. There are no rest stops, and the average 3.5 mile per hour pace can be difficult in the wilderness setting. Please bring a minimum 32 oz. of water. Come prepared with a pack, sturdy closed-toed hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, first aid, and all other supplies to keep you safe and healthy on the trail. Each participant must carry his or her own pack and water. Under-prepared participants may be denied access to this activity.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Access is first come first served until parking capacity is reached. No registration required.

Equestrians, while space is not guaranteed we encourage you to please email irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com to coordinate parking.

Come explore 3.3 miles of new trails at Saddleback Wilderness, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, through this self-guided opportunity. Designated trails will be open for self-guided hiking, biking and equestrian use. There are multiple trail loop options which vary in distance and level of difficulty. Choices range from an easy one-mile loop to multiple figure-8 configurations for those looking to maximize their mileage. Regardless of distance, nearly all options feature scenic views including a destination vista point offering 360-degree perspectives from the mountains to the sea.

Please review our Trail Tips page and FAQ page to prepare for your experience in the wilderness area.

Join us for an intermediate level ride on OC Parks’ newest trails in the recently opened Saddleback Wilderness.

This cross country-style ride will be moderately paced and include a mix of mild terrain with some brief punchy climbs. The ride will reach a summit with panoramic views stretching from the mountain to the sea. Periodic breaks and trailside interpretation will be sprinkled in along the way. Depending on group pace, this ride will cover up to 8 miles and with 800 feet of elevation gain.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Motorized recreation vehicles of any class or type are not permitted for use in the park and participants must provide their own mountain bikes to participate. Participants need to provide their own mountain bike and should come prepared with water, snacks, sun protection and any other gear needed for a ride in a remote area. Minors must wear helmets and be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times to participate. Rain or muddy conditions will cancel the event.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

Join us for a fast-paced, introduction to cardio hiking in the Saddleback Wilderness, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. Along the way, we’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Orange County and possible wildlife sightings. This is a 3.5-mile cardio hike, completed in less than 1.5 hours and includes a 350+ foot total elevation gain. This hike is for physically fit hikers who enjoy the challenge of a faster paced outdoor experience. There are no rest stops, and the average 3.5 mile per hour pace can be difficult in the wilderness setting. Please bring a minimum 32 oz. of water. Come prepared with a pack, sturdy closed-toed hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, first aid, and all other supplies to keep you safe and healthy on the trail. Each participant must carry his or her own pack and water. Under-prepared participants may be denied access to this activity.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Explore Saddleback Wilderness and hike OC Parks’ newest trails.

Learn about native plants and animals that call the area home and experience some of the best views the canyons have to offer. This moderate hike on unpaved dirt trails will be approximately 2.5 miles round trip with 200 feet of elevation gain. We’ll take breaks to enjoy the views and talk about local history throughout the hike. Highlights will include Saddleback Park racetrack and the habitat’s remarkable recovery since its closure almost 40 years ago.

Participants should come prepared with water, snacks, sun protection and sturdy walking shoes. Rain will cancel the program. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Advance registration required.

Come join us at Saddleback Wilderness, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. The hike is 3-4 miles in length with minimal elevation gain. We will hike along one of the singletrack trails through dense coastal sage scrub and then along a ranch road out to an overlook point with a spectacular view of Orange County. Please bring water, sunscreen, hat, and any other necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail and wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes. Participants must be able to hike up to 4 miles with an elevation gain of 350 feet at an average moving rate of 3 miles per hour. Each hiker must carry their own water and supplies.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level 3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

If you are comfortable riding your mountain bike in various terrain and would like to extend your opportunities to riding after dark, this Introduction to Night Riding is for you! This short cross country-style ride in the Saddleback Wilderness park will be slow paced and include a mix of single track with some brief punchy fire road climbs. With a total of 3-4 miles and approximately 350 feet of climbing, this short ride will reach a summit with panoramic views stretching from the mountains to the sea. Primary focus will be the unique aspects of night riding and is not intended as a fitness challenge. Daytime experience with the Saddleback Wilderness trails is recommended but not required. Specifically, we will start by discussing lighting options from budget to premium, helmet and bar mounts, night riding etiquette (don’t blind other riders!), and additional safety concerns. This is a great opportunity for experienced trail riders to try out their lighting systems at night in an area free of cars. It can serve as a good prerequisite to other IRC events which require previous night riding experience. Participants must provide their own mountain bike and light system appropriate for off-road riding in order to participate.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Access is first come first served until parking capacity is reached. No registration required.

Equestrians, while space is not guaranteed we encourage you to please email irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com to coordinate parking.

Come explore 3.3 miles of new trails at Saddleback Wilderness, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, through this self-guided opportunity. Designated trails will be open for self-guided hiking, biking and equestrian use. There are multiple trail loop options which vary in distance and level of difficulty. Choices range from an easy one-mile loop to multiple figure-8 configurations for those looking to maximize their mileage. Regardless of distance, nearly all options feature scenic views including a destination vista point offering 360-degree perspectives from the mountains to the sea.

Please review our Trail Tips page and FAQ page to prepare for your experience in the wilderness area.

If you are comfortable riding your mountain bike in various terrain and would like to extend your opportunities to riding after dark, this Introduction to Night Riding is for you! This short cross country-style ride in the Saddleback Wilderness park will be slow paced and include a mix of single track with some brief punchy fire road climbs. With a total of 3-4 miles and approximately 350 feet of climbing, this short ride will reach a summit with panoramic views stretching from the mountains to the sea. Primary focus will be the unique aspects of night riding and is not intended as a fitness challenge. Daytime experience with the Saddleback Wilderness trails is recommended but not required. Specifically, we will start by discussing lighting options from budget to premium, helmet and bar mounts, night riding etiquette (don’t blind other riders!), and additional safety concerns. This is a great opportunity for experienced trail riders to try out their lighting systems at night in an area free of cars. It can serve as a good prerequisite to other IRC events which require previous night riding experience. Participants must provide their own mountain bike and light system appropriate for off-road riding in order to participate.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Curious to learn about the plants among us, who’s sus and who’s not? Join us for a hike at Red Rocks, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, where we’ll look at local flora, talk about native and non-native species, and learn how different plants impact our ecosystems. Learning to identify plants, both native and non-native, is a great way to cultivate a relationship to our local wildlands.  

This activity is geared towards participants who are curious about our local plants and ecosystem. Please bring water and all items needed to keep you safe during our walk. Hats and sunscreen are highly recommended as there is no shade along this route.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level 3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.