Ruffin Canyon 🥾👣🎒Hike

Tuesday May 5, 2026 8:30AM-12:30PM

The Ruffin Canyon trail stretches from Taft Middle School in Serra Mesa south toward Mission Valley, reaching the Escala community. While Escala is a gated neighborhood, a tunnel under Friars Road provides full public access to the trail during daylight hours. The canyon itself has a long history.
Before the upgrades, it was nearly impossible for hikers to safely cross between Serra Mesa and Mission Valley. The underground passage below Friars Road near Fenton Marketplace (think Costco, shoppers) was originally built in 1968 as a truck crossing. The idea of using the tunnel for a pedestrian walkway was conceived in the mid-'90s as mining operations in the area came to a close. The tunnel is well maintained and security guards lock the gates at sundown and re-open them in the morning.
Workers relocated parts of the trail, added three footbridges and restored a portion of the wetlands. The trail is primarily accessible to hikers, but bicycling is permitted.

NOTE: NOT RECOMMENDED IF YOU Hip or Knee Issues
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 4+ miles
Terrain: rocky, sandy, could be muddy
Elevation: 390-450
What to bring: Water 3L, sunscreen, hat, gloves, good hiking shoes, a snack for yourself , camera, ICE (in case of emergency phone #).
Please note the following: KNOW YOUR LIMITS.

• Our organizers are not tour guides, we're not rangers. Going out with us is the same as going out with a few friends. Expect the same risks, take the same precautions.
• As organizers, we will do our best to give accurate descriptions of the hikes we post.

If you're a beginning hiker, a hike's elevation and distance may not mean much to you. Likewise, difficulty ratings are subjective, and a hike that is "easy" to one person may be "moderate" to another.

• Err on the side of caution.

You're much better off going on a hike that's too easy for you than a hike that's too hard or too dangerous for you. As you go on more hikes with us, you'll become more familiar with our ratings and our descriptions, and you'll learn more about your own limits.

• Ultimately, it's up to you to keep yourself safe out there.

You're an adult. Hike within your abilities.