The Silence of Cinco

Hike Cinco Poses Trail Near Idyllwild

02.19.2025

The 3.8-mile (round-trip) Cinco Poses Trail, located near the town of Idyllwild, offers a peaceful escape when you just want to have a break. The out-and-back trail starts off relatively flat as you leave the road behind and start making your way into the San Bernardino National Forest.

The trail itself is easy to follow—there is only one junction the entire time, at which point you’ll take the left fork. The only thing that makes navigation a slight challenge is the amount of pine needles and fallen leaves covering the trail (as well as pinecones the size of your head). TIP: While it makes for a beautiful winterscape, it also makes the trail hard to see at points, so downloading a map ahead of time is a very wise idea. You're also better off waiting for a stretch of drier weather before heading out on this trail.

After the first mile, the elevation gain starts to kick in, climbing 692 feet during the second half of the hike. Taking breaks to rest your legs gives you an opportunity to turn around and look behind you. Views of Diamond Valley Lake, the Domenigoni and Rawson Mountains, and the cities of Temecula and Hemet can be seen between breaks in the trees. The dense foliage does make it harder to see the impressive views, but it also gives the area a feeling of stillness, peace, and quiet—things that can be hard to come by on Southern California hiking trails.

It’s likely you won’t see any other hikers at all on this trail. Partly because the end of this hike is less than stellar (it unceremoniously ends in a rather unremarkable clearing). But this trail isn’t about the destination—it’s about spending some quiet time in nature, and in that respect, the Cinco Poses Trail is ideal. After enjoying some peace and solitude, head back out the way you came. And this time, all those beautiful views will be in front of you.

The Cinco Poses Trail is located near Idyllwild in the San Bernardino National Forest; Adventure Pass required. Park in the large turnout across the road from the trailhead and be sure to exercise caution when crossing the highway. Trailhead. Please be sure to check in advance for weather and trail conditions or closures. Dog-friendly!

Story and photos by Natalie Bates, @wanderwithnatalie

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Perles Beach Angel Island San Francisco Bay

    Secret Beach

    A hidden beach and a killer view? Those are hard to come by, but that’s exactly what you’ll get at Perles Beach on Angel Island. Bike or hike to this beautiful pocket cove.

    View

  2. Cinematic Sonoma

    Longer days. Golden light. Wildflowers in bloom. It’s the perfect moment to plan your spring escape to Sonoma for the Sonoma International Film Festival, March 25–29. No fuss. No sprawl. Just films, friends, fresh air, and that unmistakable Sonoma glow.

    View
  3. Hike Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Mellow in the Marsh

    Beach, birds, ice plant popping purple flowers: That’s a hiking slam dunk! Hike about 2 miles at Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve using their easy to navigate (well-signed) Sequoia Audubon Trail.

    View
  4. A man is looking through his binoculars at sunrise at the Bayland Nature Preserve in Palo Alto

    Baylands Bird & Art Loop

    Combine an outdoor art walk and wildlife sightings at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. This 5-mile loop through Byxbee Park and the Emily Renzel Wetlands features striking installations by artists Peter Richards and Michael Oppenheimer—where the landscape itself becomes part of the canvas.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Tree Town

    Home to an estimated 21,000 trees and 100 acres of parkland, South Pasadena has earned its nickname: the City of Trees. This 2.5-mile neighborhood walk lets you experience its leafy canopy up close, winding through charming streets and three of the city’s beloved parks.

    View

  2. A Better Way to Baldwin

    The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City is one of West L.A.’s most popular hiking spots, but most visitors miss the bigger picture. This 3.5-mile out-and-back along a section of the Park to Playa Trail offers a fuller experience of this gorgeous nature park with sweeping urban views and a few artistic surprises along the way.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

    View
  4. A woman standing at the pond's edge at Ernest B Debs Regional Park in Los Angeles. Trees are making reflections on the pond.

    Urban Oasis Loop

    Home to the city’s Audubon Center, Ernest E. Debs' 282-acre park features a robust network of hiking trails and surprising wildlife diversity. More than 140 bird species have been spotted here. Birdwatcher or not, this 2.5-mile route makes for a gorgeous outing.

    View