North Fortuna Summit – Old Mission Dam loop from Mission Gorge Rd & West Hills Pkwy
North Fortuna Summit – Old Mission Dam loop from Mission Gorge Rd & West Hills Pkwy
4.5
(2834)
13,739
riders
North Fortuna Summit – Old Mission Dam loop from Mission Gorge Rd & West Hills Pkwy
02:00
20.1km
500m
Cycling
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: May 8, 2026
Tips
Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route
After 17.0 km for 182 m
After 19.0 km for 54 m
Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
2.19 km
Mission Trails Regional Park
Highlight • Forest
Tip by
5.56 km
North Fortuna Summit
Highlight • Summit
Tip by
5.78 km
North Fortuna Geodesic Vertex
Highlight • Summit
Tip by
11.4 km
San Diego River Crossing
Highlight • River
Tip by
14.4 km
Scenic View of Mission Trails Regional Park
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
15.2 km
Mission Trails Regional Park
Highlight • Natural
Tip by
17.1 km
Old Mission Dam
Highlight • Monument
Tip by
18.5 km
Kumeyaay Lake Trail
Highlight • Trail
Tip by
20.1 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
9.71 km
5.95 km
2.40 km
1.67 km
199 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
12.9 km
4.81 km
1.81 km
493 m
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Elevation
Highest point (370 m)
Lowest point (50 m)
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Weather
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Today
Saturday 11 July
29°C
17°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Description
The North Fortuna Summit – Old Mission Dam loop from Mission Gorge Rd & West Hills Pkwy is a challenging route, officially rated difficult, covering 12.5 miles (20.1 km) with 1635 feet (498 metres) of elevation gain, estimated to take 1 hour and 59 minutes. However, for touring cycling, this loop presents a complex picture: while parts are accessible, the majority of the route to North Fortuna Summit is rugged and unpaved, making it largely unsuitable for touring bikes. This is a route best considered by experienced mountain bikers or hikers, not touring cyclists.
What to expect on North Fortuna Summit – Old Mission Dam loop from Mission Gorge Rd & West Hills Pkwy
Your journey begins on the Father Junipero Serra Trail, a paved road that offers a pleasant ride towards the historic Old Mission Dam. This section is suitable for touring cyclists, winding through riparian areas and open grasslands. However, beyond the dam, the character of the route changes dramatically. The ascent to North Fortuna Summit involves steep, rocky, and gravelly unpaved paths, often described as technical singletrack. You'll find sections that are explicitly not bike friendly for analog bikes, requiring you to walk. Despite the challenging terrain for touring bikes, the scenery is remarkable, with views of coastal sage scrub and mountain chaparral. From North Fortuna Summit, you can enjoy sweeping 360-degree views of the San Diego area, including downtown and the ocean.
Planning your visit
If you're planning to tackle this route on a touring bicycle, be aware that only the paved sections leading to Old Mission Dam are truly suitable. The trails towards North Fortuna Summit are designed for mountain biking or hiking, with some areas like the Oak Canyon Trail explicitly prohibiting bikes. Given the steep, gravelly, and rocky conditions on the summit-bound paths, touring cyclists will find much of this loop unrideable. Consider this route if you're looking for a challenging hike or a technical mountain bike ride, but not for a typical touring cycling experience.
- Distance: 12.5 miles (20.1 km)
- Elevation gain: 1635 feet (498 metres)
- Difficulty: difficult
- Estimated time: 1 hours and 59 minutes
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