Hiking Foothill Trail

East Meets West on Foothill Trail

Foothill Trail is a historic trail that’s part of the Valley View Preserve trail system. The 1.4-mile trail runs in an easterly-westerly direction and can be accessed from Fox Canyon Trailhead or Luci’s Trailhead. Foothill also connects to Fuelbreak Road and Pratt Trail, both in the Los Padres National Forest.

Getting to Foothill takes some effort, but once you’ve gotten there you can hike east to where the trail dead ends. The trail does continue  into a canyon which is private property. Please respect the property owners and turn around at the trail kiosk, so you can hike west to Luci’s Trail, or onward to Fox Canyon Trail.

Here are two options to get to Foothill Trail:

1) Hike up Fox Canyon Trail traveling north into the hills. The steep singletrack weaves and bends, and as you climb higher there is a sweeping view of the Ojai Valley. The 1.03-mile trail eventually takes you to a junction and trail marker. Take a sharp right at the marker and now you are on Foothill Trail.

2) Luci’s Trail is further east from Fox Canyon Trailhead on Shelf Road. There’s a rail fence and trail marker where Luci’s 0.75-mile trail starts. Hike up the switchbacks and into rock covered hills where you’ll get a great view of the Topa Topa Bluffs. Once you’ve ascended the rock steps, the singletrack leads you right to Foothill Trail. Take a left at the trail marker and Foothill will take you over to the Fox Canyon Trail that heads back down to Shelf Road.

Fuelbreak Road Connector Trail

Hiking down Foothill Trail from Fox Canyon Trail you ‘ll see a marker where the trail travels in two directions. At that marker the trail goes right continuing on Foothill, or travels straight up to Fuelbreak Road. Now you are in the Los Padres National Forest. Turn right on Fuelbreak Road and head over to Gridley Trail, turn left on Fuelbreak and the road travels over to Pratt Trail.