New Irvine Ranch trails offer expansive views

A newly created 3.3-mile trail system opened March 27 near Irvine Lake, offering sweeping mountain-to-ocean views.

A newly created 3.3-mile trail system opened March 27 near Irvine Lake, offering sweeping mountain-to-ocean views.

The trails are located on land that Irvine Company donated to the County of Orange in 2014. Construction of the trails and supporting amenities were funded with an endowment the Company provided.

“The scenic new trails at Saddleback Wilderness are something everyone can enjoy,” Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Donald P. Wagner said. “It’s great our residents can now access more outdoor recreation opportunities – hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding – in a protected and preserved native habitat.”

The new trails wind through about 600 acres of the 57,500 acres that Irvine Company has dedicated as permanent and public open space, consisting of 60% of its Irvine Ranch property.

To view maps and learn more about public access events on the new trails and other Irvine Ranch preserves, visit ocparks.com/irvine-ranch-open-space.

 

Officials cut the ribbon at the Saddleback Wilderness area in Orange, CA, on Monday, March 27, 2023.