San Diego Hikes: Kwaay Paay Peak Trail at Mission Trails
Mission Trails Regional Park introduced the 5-Peak Challenge in 2015 in order to get hikers to explore more trails. Kwaay Paay Peak is an incredibly scenic hike that also remains uncrowded.
- Starting Point: Old Mission Dam, Mission Trails Regional Park
- Length: 2.5 to 3 miles
- Elevation: 900 foot gain and loss
- Type: out-and-back with loop option
You can find full information on the 5-Peak Challenge at our full guide to Mission Trails Regional Park. Basically the 5-Peak Challenge was created because Cowles Mountain, the highest point in the city of San Diego was too crowded. The idea was to get hikers climbing the four other mountains in the park.
At 1194 feet, Kwaay Peak is 400 hundred feet shorter than Cowles Mountain. However, the elevation gain is about the same and the trail is actually shorter. In other words, Kwaay Peak is arguably more challenging than Cowles.
You basically have three choices of where to start hiking Kwaay Paay Peak. You can start at Old Mission Dam or start a short distance down across the street from Kumeyaay Lake Campground (about a quarter mile from Old Mission Dam).
If you start at the Kumeyaay Lake area you have two choices. You can bear to the left and head up what is called Kwaay Paay East Trail or go towards the right, straight up the steeper Kwaay Paay Peak Trail.
No matter where you start all three trails meet up together less than a half mile up the mountain after about a 250 foot climb.
In the version of the hike we show we started across from the campground and went up Kwaay Paay Peak Trail and came back down Kwaay Paay East Trail. You can check out our Kwaay Paay loop trail where we combined these into a shorter hike that does not go up the mountain.
When you reach the intersection of the three trails, you will hike a short, relatively flat distance until the main climb up Kwaay Peak starts. This is a relatively steep climb. There are stairs built into the trail but there are not the switchbacks you find at Cowles.
As you reach the top of Kwaay Paay Peak the trail levels off. You walk a short distance until the trail ends at the marker for Kwaay Paay Peak. Here is where you need to take a picture of yourself if you want proof of completing the 5-Peak Challenge. Fences clearly indicate you can not go any further.
Below is where rock climbers climb the rocks off of Climbers Loop. However, that area is inaccessible from the top of Kwaay Paay Peak.
After enjoying the views you simply head back the way you came. When you get to the intersection you have the choice of going back the way you came or taking a different trail to complete a loop. Whatever way you go the trail ends at Father Juniper Serra Trail about a quarter of a mile walk along the road.
Kwaay Paay Peak is wonderful because it is rarely crowded and feels very isolated. Cowles Mountain offers great views of the city, but Kwaay Paay feels more isolated. The city seems miles away.
For our full look at hikes in Mission Trails Regional Park see our guide.
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