San Luis Obispo County offers several hiking trails and some of them are just a short 5-minute drive from the Madonna Inn. So reserve a picnic lunch from our Classic Gourmet and Gift Shop and go hiking for the day.
Laguna Lake Trail
This loop, 1.4 miles in length, is an easy walk or jog around Laguna Lake with views of more than 100 species of birds that inhabit the area. The trail is flat with great views of the surrounding hills. To reach the trailhead, turn right out of Madonna Inn onto Madonna Road, and after just a few blocks turn right onto Dalidio Road into the parking lot. View PDF Map
Lemon Grove Loop
This fairly easy loop, 2.2 miles in length, on the eastern flank of Cerro San Luis (also known as Madonna Mountain) offers splendid views of downtown San Luis Obispo and the surrounding Santa Lucias. To reach the trailhead, turn left out of Madonna Inn onto Madonna Road, then left again when it Ts into Higuera. Proceed on Higuera Street until you reach Marsh Street where you will make a left turn in the direction of 101 South. Just after passing under the freeway bridge, make a right turn onto Fernandez Road where you will find the parking lot and trail head. View PDF Map
Prefumo Canyon
A moderately challenging bike ride or hike in a beautifully natural canyon of Irish Hills Open Space. Use the bike lane on this paved road for the first half mile. At 2.5 miles the road becomes a maintained dirt road with some paved areas. The road climbs to 1360' winding over rolling hills and through ancient oaks. Spectacular views of Morro Bay and six of the volcanic peaks await you at the top of this moderately strenuous climb. Cattle may be on the road and private property on both sides of the road, so please respect all fences. To reach the trailhead, turn right out of Madonna Inn and proceed on Madonna Road to Los Osos Valley Road. Turn right onto Los Osos Valley Road then left onto Prefumo Canyon Road. Follow this road for 1 mile and the trailhead will be on the left after a bridge crossing. Park in the turnout on the left side of the dirt road. View
PDF Map
»For a combined map of these trails and other local hikes, see the Open Space & Trails Map created by the City of San Luis Obispo Recreation Department.