Do not take San Bernardo Creek Rd to this trail!!! That is a private road through two ranches. There are gates you cant drive past! There are signs telling you do not enter, you are trespassing! You will be stopped and asked to turn around. Highway 41 to Cerro Alto Camp Ground is the only way to access this trail.

The Cerro Alto Trail is a great hiking trail you can access from the Cerro Alto Campground. The parking fee for a day is $10.The hike is 6 miles total, three miles to the top of the mountain and three miles back down. There are some uphill stretches, especially near the start. The view at the top is beautiful and it is a good reward for making the trek to the top.The start of the trail goes along side a stream. There is a lot of unique vegetation and plants along the trail that I havent seen before.It is an enjoyable hike and I recommend leaving early in the morning so you can get back before it gets warm. We left around 8:30 in the morning and got back to the campground at 11:45. We took several short breaks on the way up and ate a snack at the top.

THIS NATIONAL PARK AREA DOES NOT HONOR ACCESS PASSES FOR DAY USE AND IS OVERPRICED AT MINIMUM $10 - and thats before you even get past the gate to the campground. We came in mid June and the bugs were so bad even 40% deet wasnt keeping them at bay. The host was also creepy and lingering outside the pit toilets while we used them. Upon leaving in the morning and having to stop briefly in the lot outside of the gate to add steering fluid to the car, the maintenance crew showed up to harass us about paying another $10 fee to park another day, even after explaining thatvwew werent interested in parking any longer than necessary to put the fluid in. Thanks for ruining the forest for us, Cerro Alto.

The trail is fine, but you cannot park without paying a $10 fee. We went for a 1-hour hike and were forced to pay $10 for this. Its an ok hike, but there are many others (e.g., Montaña de Oro) that are way nicer and free.

Always a beautiful hike. In spring/summer tons of flies so even though its hot long sleeves and pants recommend. Also there are ticks! If you take your dogs make sure they stay on the trail and you do a once over right after the hike. My goal is to hike the Cuesta grade to cerro alto, camp over night and hike back. That would be a good preparation hike for backpackers. I believe its 14 miles total if you go from Cuesta grade to cerro alto.