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A view from Gypsum Canyon.
A view from Gypsum Canyon.

Choose Your Adventure!

There are a variety of trails, speeds, activities, environments and locations around Orange County. To help you make the right choice when it comes to your outdoor adventure, Irvine Ranch Conservancy Interpretive Specialists and Naturalists have developed a simple numeric Difficulty Rating System that applies to all activities led by IRC-Certified Volunteers.

These categories are provided as rough guidelines, and visitors should evaluate their own capabilities based on their previous experience and current fitness level to plan and prepare appropriately. The ratings are based on average fitness level, combined with route characteristics such as elevation, shade, activity pace and number of stops.

Difficulty Ratings
View of Gypsum Canyon Wilderness. Photo courtesy of OC Parks.

Difficulty Ratings

Hiking and Fitness

Click here for ratings

Mountain Biking

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Stewardship and Habitat Restoration

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IRC Volunteers Spotting Birds
IRC Volunteers Spotting Birds

Activity Questions

Have more questions about which activities may be appropriate for you? Check out our FAQ for more information.