Are dogs allowed on Cerro de la Calavera?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Cerro de la Calavera but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Cerro de la Calavera?

No, Cerro de la Calavera does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Cerro de la Calavera?

Cerro de la Calavera is rated easy. It is 1.4 miles long with 407 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Is Cerro de la Calavera suitable for kids?

Yes, Cerro de la Calavera is considered kid-friendly. As always with children, bring water and snacks, pace yourself, and watch for weather changes and wildlife.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See California trail conditions

EasyLoop

California

Cerro de la Calavera

Carlsbad, California

1.4 mi

Distance

407 ft

Elev. Gain

38m

Est. Time

Loop

Route Type

Easy

Difficulty

About This Trail

Cerro de la Calavera is an 513 ft (156 m) ancient plug dome volcano that last erupted 22 million years ago during the subduction of the Farallon Plate. It is located within the city of Carlsbad, California in the United States. Cerro de la Calavera is only one of three volcanic plugs in Southern California and can easily be seen from either northbound Interstate 5 at Cannon Road or westbound on Lake Boulevard. Cerro de la Calavera is located within the Lake Calavera Preserve offering county maintained trails that lead directly into the ancient volcano, making for great hiking adventures. Lake Calavera and the dam that holds it lie in the shadow of the mountain.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify trail conditions and seasonal closures with the managing agency before you go.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:63 ft

Max:149 ft

124 ft

Trail Details

Route Type: Loop
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.

Hunt context