Ken Striplin

Santa Clarita’s 8,500 acres of preserved open space, our miles of off-street bicycle and pedestrian paths and well-maintained trails are absolutely some of the best amenities in our community. Now that it’s spring, why not take the opportunity to enjoy them with your family?

Our city recognizes the value of protecting natural spaces where people can roam and where nature remains untouched and protected. Our natural spaces are a big part of why people love living in Santa Clarita and visiting our community.

Our open space lands have become increasingly popular over the years, and last year, nearly a quarter of a million people visited the city’s open space areas. We believe that number will continue to increase as we acquire new property and create new pathways to explore.

If you are looking for healthy, no-cost activities for you and your family, I encourage you to get out and enjoy a morning or afternoon on the trail. The city offers several tools to help explorers of all ages find the perfect path.

HikeSantaClarita.com features an interactive trail map with details about hiking trails, the City’s trail system, trailheads and the Los Angeles County trail system. The site also features a question and answer forum with local outdoor expert columnist, “Ask Dr. Norm,” as well as an opportunity to share your hike with others, details about trail etiquette, and things to be aware of like snakes and other wild animals you may encounter.

The Hike Santa Clarita app is also available for iPhone and Android phones if you are looking to find your trail while on the go. The free, popular app has already been downloaded over 3,000 times, making it one of the city’s most successful apps to date.

There are many great local hiking trails in Santa Clarita to explore. A few of the most popular include Quigley Canyon and Wildwood Canyon, both of which recently enjoyed a few upgrades.

The 168-acre Quigley Canyon open space, located in the heart of Placerita Canyon, is accessible from a trailhead on Placerita Canyon Road, about half a mile west of Sierra Highway. Quigley Canyon is one of the city’s most popular open spaces for horseback riders, cyclists as well as hikers, featuring more than five miles of connecting trails and tree covered picnic tables.

Clean Energy Systems generously granted the property with a new trailhead and trail that now connects to the canyon. The new trailhead into Quigley Canyon is also large enough to accommodate horse trailers during organized equestrian group rides.

Access to Wildwood Canyon, which the city purchased just a few years ago, is tucked away in a residential neighborhood in Newhall. The city has worked with a trail contractor to grade a short access trail that now connects with existing loop trails within the canyon. Dotted with beautiful oak trees, this popular hiking spot features 3.2 miles of cleared trail and offers access for equestrians, hikers and cyclists.

Over at our bikesantaclarita.com website, you will find an easy-to-read, downloadable bike trail map with suggested routes that will help you best plan your next bike outing.

The city is committed to making Santa Clarita’s open spaces, trails and bike paths inviting and easy to navigate, but we don’t do it alone. A team of volunteers, city maintenance staff and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority help keep Santa Clarita’s open space clean, connected and safe.

Ken Striplin is city manager of the city of Santa Clarita.