Are dogs allowed on Subway Cave Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Subway Cave Trail but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Subway Cave Trail?

No, Subway Cave Trail 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 Subway Cave Trail?

Subway Cave Trail is rated easy. It is 0.7 miles long with 39 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 Subway Cave Trail suitable for kids?

Yes, Subway Cave Trail 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

Subway Cave Trail

Hat Creek, California

0.7 mi

Distance

39 ft

Elev. Gain

15m

Est. Time

Loop

Route Type

Easy

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

Descend into the Subway Cave lava tube for a short hike. The Hat Creek Lava Flow was created by the ground breaking north of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The top of the lava flow began to cool and solidify while molten rock below continued to flow, creating lava tubes which carried the red-hot rock miles from its source. The Subway Cave is a section of lava tube less than a third of a mile long. The cave has concrete steps at both ends that make it easy to get to the spelunkers.

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:1,326 ft

Max:1,330 ft

12 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