Hiking in SLO County

Ever wondered what it’s like to spend a day hiking the rugged, sunlit trails of San Luis Obispo? Meet local hikers, Nico Ragasa and Lauren Perales, whose passion for exploring the outdoors has led them to some of the most breathtaking views in the area. “One memorable moment from past hikes is definitely the view. I mean, from Bishop and here, we can see the whole city, and it’s really nice,” Ragasa says, tying his shoes for another adventure. “Some advice I would give to someone new to hiking in the area is to make time for it. I feel like it gives you a lot of mental clarity, especially when you’re stressed,” Perales says. The rugged trail leading to the top of Madonna Mountain offers hikers breathtaking views of San Luis Obispo (Photo/Virginia Hatch). From the first step up a dusty trail to the rewarding summit, follow Ragasa and Perales as they share what it’s like to hike in and around SLO, a town where the mountains meet the coast. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just love...

For Melanie Reynolds, a student at Cal Poly , the outdoors is more than just a place for adventure – it’s a way to find clarity, connection, and strength. With a background in horseback riding, she has always felt at home on the trail, but hiking took on new meaning as she navigated the challenges of her father’s cancer diagnosis and her mother’s struggles with mania. Whether trekking through Maui’s ridges or conquering San Luis Obispo’s peaks, Reynolds finds comfort in the climb and the reward of reaching the summit. In this conversation, she shares her journey from childhood walks to discovering how hiking became a powerful source of resilience. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your connection to hiking? Okay, a little bit about me is I enjoy being very active. A big part of my life has been horseback riding, so I guess you could say I have a background in trail rides. So why not connect that to doing the walking myself? I definitely got more into hiking over the past ...