These 5 Southern California Forest Trails Will Bring Out Your Adventurous Side

California's mountains offer a huge variety of trails, from easy, family-friendly walking trails to intense - even dangerous - trails, to thrill any hiker. If you are a serious hiker looking for a real adventure, these five forest trails in Southern California will not disappoint. With challenging terrain and epic views, these hikes are fun and rewarding for the intrepid. Are you ready to check these trails off your list?

1. Skyline Trail: Cactus to Clouds

This is a long trail at 21.2 miles and has the largest gain of elevation of any trail in the country, totaling over 10,000 feet!

As the name implies, this trail begins in the desert of Palm Springs and rises through the forest to San Jacinto Peak. Due to the heat in Summer, it is recommended to only hike this trail in cooler months.

This is an intense hike and many who make the peak hike back five miles and take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway back to the desert floor.

Before you head from cactus to clouds, learn more about Skyline Trail.

2. Cooper Canyon Falls Trail

This beautiful 6.2 mile loop is challenging but rewards hikers with lush pine and cedar forests, as well as two waterfalls.

Check out more facts about Cooper Falls Trail.

3. Icehouse Canyon to Cucamonga Peak Trail

Amazing views accompany almost every part of this 12-mile out-and-back trail. It is steep, so during snowy winters, hikers should be prepared with microspikes and poles.

San Jacinto peak provides shady resting spots and even a place to set up camp and stay the night, before hiking back down. Want to know more? Learn the facts about Icehouse Canyon Trail.

4. San Bernardino Canyon Peak Trail via Angelus Oaks

This 15-mile trek leads to San Bernardino Peak, one of the most beautiful but lesser traveled peaks in Southern California. The trail is challenging but smooth. Weekend backpackers often stay the night at Limber Pines, in the second of three trail sections.

Prepare for your adventure by learning more about hiking to San Bernardino Peak.

5. Vivian Creek Trail to San Gorgonio Peak

A bucket list item for serious hikers, San Gorgonio, also known as "Old Grayback," is the highest mountain in Southern California. The trail to the peak is 19 miles long, and water is available with two creeks along the way.

Above the treeline, this peak rewards hikers with incredible panoramic views of surrounding mountains.

Find out what you need to know before hiking to Gorgonio Peak.

If you are a hiker, have you conquered any of these challenging forest trails? Share your favorite trail experience with us in the comments! If you prefer the beach over the forest, check out some of Southern California's scenic beach trails.