Cerro San Luis Trail

Lots of different trails for different people ranging from lemon grove to hiking around the mountain or to the top. Views of SLO are great at the top. Carry snacks and water if you are going for a long hike. During Christmastime, there is a metal tree that is lit at the top and makes for a nice evening hike.

A great little hike but the trailhead and different trails are horribly marked. When you begin it appears that you’re starting the «Lemon Grove Trail» when in reality the route is common for both the LGT and the two routes to the top of SL Mountain. The two routes to the top of SL Mountain are also poorly marked while the trail spur to the Mission «M» is fairly well marked.
I suggest looking at the hike on Google Maps before you depart. Make sure to take some water and possibly a snack. Note a terribly strenuous hike. A hiking pole makes things lots easier for me – particularly on the descent. Enjoy!

Apparently this is the same trail as The lemon grove loop? I think? I hope. I haven’t done the full trail just the loop since I had my 6 year old with me. Totally easy for kids to do, but know that there is TONS of poison oak and cactus on this trail, so if one falls… ouch.

Love this hike — The Lemon Grove Loop trail is great if you just want a quick trail run, while the hike to the summit is a must if you’re looking for a ~2 hour hike with sweeping 360 views of the entire city of SLO.
Big, wide trails that are shared with mountain bikers (who are few and far between and attach bells to their bikes to warn hikers). The hike can be strenuous if you head out mid-​day — be sure to bring water and wear sunscreen, as the trail doesn’t see much tree cover. In the late afternoon, there’s a refreshing amount of breeze coming in from the ocean. It’s about 4 miles round-​trip, and took less than 2 hours (we did the trail to the «M,» too).
This is a great diversion from Bishop’s Peak and offers a wider view of the Madonna/​Broad part of SLO. The cage at the top stores the generator used for the Christmas tree that tops the mountain in December; it is not some kind of medieval torture device. Hike on. ;-)