One of the last one room school houses in the United States is on Catalina Island(now closed). The building sits just below the Catalina Civil War Barracks in Two Harbors.
Permits & Access: All hiking and mountain biking on Catalina outside Avalon requires a permit. This includes private boaters stepping ashore at remote coves to explore inland—a requirement that has technically been in place since the Catalina Island Conservancy took over management of the island in 1972. Fortunately, these permits are free of charge and can be acquired online. You can quickly register from your boat and simply carry it as a saved image or screenshot on your smartphone.
The Boater's Reality: In practice, many private boaters still bypass this requirement. Why? Most remote anchorages(Little Harbor) are STILL complete cellular dead zones and only one or two carriers have some of the remote coves covered(check your carrier coverage before going). Since there are no paper permit kiosks at cove trailheads and harbor patrol/mooring service do not issue them when collecting mooring fees, you must remember to download your permit before losing service in the channel (unless you have satellite internet like Starlink).
Note: These permits are for day-use navigation only—overnight backpacking requires separate camping reservations.
The Leave No Trace Mandate: As a visitor, it is your responsibility to minimize impact. Stay on designated roads and trails. California Penal Code Section 374B strictly prohibits littering; if a bin isn't available, pack it out. Cutting trees, gathering wood, collecting plants, or disturbing archaeological sites is strictly prohibited.
Wildlife & Safety: Catalina is a protected sanctuary for rare and endangered species. Disturbing wildlife is prohibited. Firearms, traps, and hunting equipment are banned in the interior. Hitchhiking is prohibited. Always carry a signed permit and adhere to all posted regulations.
Canine Navigation: Dogs are welcome on interior trails but must remain leashed at all times. While Catalina is more dog-friendly than most National Parks, ensure your dog is trained for encounters with bison. Carry vaccination records (Rabies). During summer/fall, yellow jackets are common; carry Benadryl for potential stings. Catalina Express requires dogs to sit outside and wear a muzzle during transit. Note: Two Harbors is highly dog-friendly; Avalon is significantly more restricted due to its compact nature.
Avoid the summer months. The interior canyons and ridges become dangerously hot and dry. For the best experience, plan your trek during **winter or early spring**. During this window, the island is lush, green, and the crowds are minimal.
If you hike in summer, carry excess water and a wide-brimmed hat. Coordinate your route to include swimming breaks at **Little Harbor, Emerald Bay (Middle Beach), Parsons Landing, or the Isthmus beach**. Avoid Avalon Bay and Cat Harbor due to poor water clarity and boat traffic.
The West End features the most strenuous grades and dramatic vertical relief on the island.
Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 1,074 ft | Avg Slope: 14.72%
A premier ridge route overlooking the Pacific. High exposure, requiring significant stamina.
Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 627 ft | Avg Slope: 12.04%
The remote final segment of the West End. Often utilized by TCT finishers reaching the island's tip.
Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 1,171 ft | Avg Slope: 17.41%
Severe vertical push. Strictly for high-intensity trekking; no biking allowed.
Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 165 ft | Avg Slope: 10.68%
Provides a sharp ascent for a panoramic view of the narrowest part of the island.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 810 ft | Avg Slope: 6.04%
The core artery for mountain biking and hiking connecting the windward and leeward sides.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 662 ft | Avg Slope: 6.3%
The main coastal road toward Parsons Landing. Excellent for ocean views and consistent grade.
Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: 166 ft | Avg Slope: 4.75%
Direct access to the Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies. Open to hikers and bikers.
Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: 62 ft | Avg Slope: 3.95%
Low-impact coastal walk out of Two Harbors. Suitable for all skill levels.
This region covers the high-elevation ridgelines and the critical rest-stop at the Airport in the Sky.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 1,425 ft | Avg Slope: 9.13%
An essential wildlife corridor. High probability of spotting Island Fox and Bison.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 366 ft | Avg Slope: 9.6%
A tactical link between the ridge and the interior canyon routes.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 178 ft | Avg Slope: 8.4%
Circling the airport summit, this trail offers expansive views of the island's interior.
Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: 297 ft | Avg Slope: 3.76%
The gradual ascent toward the airport for food and water restocking.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 1,208 ft | Avg Slope: 8.42%
Long-haul route traversing the island's windward-facing slopes.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 974 ft | Avg Slope: 5.6%
Winds through deep canyon scenery; very popular for mountain bikers.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 1,267 ft | Avg Slope: 6.41%
Leads through the interior toward the island’s historic vineyard.
Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 461 ft | Avg Slope: 10.2%
Explores historic mining areas with steep, rocky terrain.
Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 380 ft | Avg Slope: 12.82%
Steep access road through unique geological quarry formations.
Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: 81 ft | Avg Slope: 3.28%
Low-impact walking route near one of the island's largest freshwater bodies.
Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 739 ft | Avg Slope: 11.03%
Remote and steep interior road used for conservation management.
These trails provide access to the rugged backside of the island and its best swimming beaches.
Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 123 ft | Avg Slope: 22.17%
Extreme grade. This short trail leads directly to a premier surf and swimming cove.
Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 126 ft | Avg Slope: 10.63%
Rugged and exposed approach to the windward coastline.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 1,325 ft | Avg Slope: 8.99%
Critical connector road between Little Harbor and the island's central ridges.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 1,247 ft | Avg Slope: 9.67%
Deep canyon trek with significant lush vegetation and elevation change.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 239 ft | Avg Slope: 6.04%
Approaching the cottonwood beaches from the interior road network.
Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: 1,279 ft | Avg Slope: 4.84%
Steady, manageable grade; essential for cross-island biking.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 183 ft | Avg Slope: 5.81%
Shaded path to a remote beach; look for historic military bunkers nearby.
Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: 72 ft | Avg Slope: 4.74%
Low-grade access to historic WWII lookout sites.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 423 ft | Avg Slope: 6.8%
Quiet, high-biodiversity route through interior scrubland.
Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 405 ft | Avg Slope: 11.92%
Steep ridgeline hiking providing oversight of the southern coast.
Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 606 ft | Avg Slope: 15.76%
Short, high-intensity push for experienced hikers navigating the south end.
Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 352 ft | Avg Slope: 12.33%
Severe grades on the windward ridges; offers isolation and wild views.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 449 ft | Avg Slope: 9.62%
Encircles the historic stagecoach stop in the island's interior.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 424 ft | Avg Slope: 8.46%
Relic road route with significant historical value.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 577 ft | Avg Slope: 8.24%
High-elevation loop providing oversight of the island's communications hub.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 255 ft | Avg Slope: 7.16%
Provides views of the island’s primary freshwater infrastructure.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 176 ft | Avg Slope: 9.26%
Quiet interior loop centered around localized water resources.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 331 ft | Avg Slope: 6.51%
Access path to the island's highest elevation campground.
Trails in this sector offer immediate access from town and views of the California mainland.
Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 1,212 ft | Avg Slope: 13.78%
The primary ascent from Avalon Canyon to the TCT ridgeline. Steep and rewarding.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 1,614 ft | Avg Slope: 8.82%
The definitive high-mileage loop with panoramic views of Avalon Bay.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 526 ft | Avg Slope: 7.91%
Ridge trek overlooking the southern coves and the mainland silhouette.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 556 ft | Avg Slope: 6.14%
Winds through the historic silver and zinc mining district above Avalon.
Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 763 ft | Avg Slope: 10.37%
Steep push toward the iconic Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden.
Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 136 ft | Avg Slope: 14.09%
Short but punishing climb to one of the most famous lookout points on the island.
Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 335 ft | Avg Slope: 9.45%
Paved/dirt mix leading past the historic Chimes Tower.
Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: 296 ft | Avg Slope: 4.62%
Paved walk from the waterfront to the botanic gardens and TCT trailhead.
Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: 12 ft | Avg Slope: 1.15%
Level coastal walk past the industrial areas of Avalon.
Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: 3 ft | Avg Slope: 1.17%
The iconic beachfront promenade of downtown Avalon.
Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: 1 ft | Avg Slope: 1.57%
Short, flat street connector in the heart of town.
One of the last one room school houses in the United States is on Catalina Island(now closed). The building sits just below the Catalina Civil War Barracks in Two Harbors.
Above is the public beach section of Emerald Bay, which is the longest beach section in Emerald Bay. You can swim and also walk/swim your dog here from both boat and road trails. There is no drinking water or bathroom here. The other sections of beach in Emerald Bay belong to Corsair Yacht Club and Emerald Bay Camp. This is one of the finest and cleanest swimming beaches on Catalina Island. The water is gin clear and has been very warm the last couple of years during late summer and fall. I actually was swimming here in late October with no wetsuit and it was very nice. Shown on the beach are kids from Howland"s Landing who have kayaked over to the beach to swim a few times a week in the summer months. This is a public beach, so if you see large groups using it, don"t be scared off. The beach is fairly large, as far as beaches go on Catalina Island. The above photo only shows 2/3s of the total beach.
Above is my dog walking the Trans Catalina Trail to Parson"s Landing in October. This photo shows Emerald Bay and Indian Island in the middle of the bay. At the far north end of Emerald Bay you can see Emerald Bay Camp. It is a VERY LARGE camp that holds hundreds and hundreds of kids. The Trans Catalina Trail goes right through the camp. You will get some idea just how big this camp is when you walk 1/4 mile up the canyon through many groups of platform tents and finally cross the dry stream bed.
The photo above is looking south toward Two Harbors and Howland"s Landing below. Howland"s Landing is home to Catalina Island Camp and Los Angeles Yacht Club. This whole beach is private. The road which doubles as the Trans Catalina Trail can be seen below. The road/trail weaves deep in and out of the canyons on most coves, which basically quadruples the road and trail lengths.
Above is Parson"s Landing on the north end of Catalina island. The beach is 2/3 sand and some heavy gravel in the north. It is not the greatest swimming beach since there is some small surf here that keeps the water murky. There are now 8 camping tables on the beach and five out-houses. This is now a very popular camp spot for both kayakers and Trans Catalina Trail hikers. Years ago nobody used this beach except a few catamaran sailors that camped on the beach, now you have to watch where you walk since it is so crowded and sectioned up.
Whether you're seeking adventure on the Trans-Catalina Trail or exploring scenic side trails, Catalina Island offers a variety of hiking experiences for all levels. Plan ahead, stay safe, and enjoy the natural beauty of the island!
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