Decent hike that got a bit confusing at times where the correct path was, but it also accommodates mountain biking and some of those trails were intended for that purpose. Nice view at the peak.

Broke my chain here, so that was a downhill without pedals... Which would probably the case anyway, too steep to sit on the saddle. Beautiful views here...just behind my house. What a backyard..

This trail takes you away from all the city chaos within 20 minutes. When I went I was not sure what to expect, at that time I was wearing my running shoes and I slipped multiple times while coming back so make sure to wear your hiking boots. I went on a weekday and met only 2 guys throughout the journey and I read in reviews that people saw rattle snake so I was bit scared as I went alone, thankfully I dint saw any rattle snake, but there are more people during weekends. Its an absolutely beautiful hike with lots of scenic views

Quick hike and view is beautiful

Great hiking place with amazing views, little muddy though

Amazing mountain biking trails. Shorter but intense routes. Awesome views short hike, perfect for a quick early morning hike. Nice and easy hiking trail. Dont bring your motor home here. This trail takes you away from all the city chaos within 20 minutes. When I went I was not sure what to expect, at that time I was wearing my running shoes and I slipped multiple times while coming back so make sure to wear your hiking boots. I went on a weekday and met only 2 guys throughout the journey and I read in reviews that people saw rattle snake so I was bit scared as I went alone, thankfully I dint saw any rattle snake, but there are more people during weekends. Its an absolutely beautiful hike with lots of scenic views. On a clear day you can see the ocean you can see downtown and Point Loma. Recommend to my family and my friends.

Gratitude hike with a huge reward for minimal effort.

A nice hike.

Beautiful hike, but easy to get lost. Tracks are not marked.we had to walk extra 2 miles on our way back to the car park since we lost our way

Nice hiking place

Hidden gem. Sweet trails. Beautiful views. Saw the effects of the Super Bloom. But it does not need throngs of people. A local place.

Left a little too late in the evening to make it to the Peak, started at the Iola culdesac. Loose rocks and gravel and soil trail. Wear good shoes. Saw at 4 foot gopher snake on the trail coming back down the hill.

Often come to find peace up here

Good hike. Finding the trailhead is a bit difficult. For me I parked at Saber Springs park, I was first led by Google to a residential area which wasnt particularly helpful. The trailhead is unmarked on the very edge of the park by a culdesac.First off, I wouldnt do this trail in tennis shoes. It was quite steep at points, narrow, overgrown with loose footing. Trail or hiking boots highly recommend. I saw a snake on the hike, luckily it was not of the poisonous variety, though I imagine there are plenty about. I wore shorts and did get a bit scratched up because of the overgrowth. All told I enjoyed it, Ill do it again. Took me about 1:45 round-trip at a reasonably brisk pace.

Straight sending it

On a clear day you can see the ocean you can see downtown and Point Loma

Absolutely have to try this hike!

Its awesome hike and very good for biking.

Not a trail for the faint of heart. Steep walks, poorly maintained trail, and narrow places give way to wide open visit views from the mountains east to the sea in the west. While the distance (about three miles) is short, allow plenty of time for the view, the inclines and the declines. The trail looks like more of a bicycle motocross track than one for walking or hiking.

Excellent mountain biking trails. Shorter but intense routes.

Cruising by while mountain biking

Full of rats, spiders, snakes, monsters, and garbage. Yeah... Lots of smelly awful garbage (likely radioactive). Please stick to PQ canyon with the other tourists and occasional mountain bikers. Im also pretty sure its haunted. Big scary ghosts - leave this for the locals.

Love running up there to the slab and rubbing the zBuddahs belly

Just send it.

MTB trails here are fun. Most are for advanced riders, so be careful out there!

Start is my backyard.

Nice and easy hiking trail. Dont bring your motorhome here.

Awesome views short hike, perfect for a quick early morning hike.

Good hiking area with nice views of Poway.

Fun hike to explore San Diegos open space

Rub the belly of the Buddha!

I found Van Dam Peak using Google maps, as it doesnt appear in much else. Even Schadds work Afoot and afield in San Diego doesnt include this one. Google has the trails surrounding the peak listed as Open Space Trail and although the City of Poway owns the land, its not advertised on their website. It took me several web searches to determine that the peak was named after Edward Van Dam, County Superintendent of Roads that retired in 1961, not the Van Dam child that was murdered in the early 2000s. After this review Ill be hard at work on creating a Wikipedia site for the peak.Anyway, although its name may have been obscure to research, the locals certainly know it and there are multiple trailheads that will take you to Van Dam Peak and North Van Dam Peak, both of which lie in the open space park.My embarcation point was Middle Ridge Terrace cul-de-sac and I parked a little way down the street. I reached North Van Dam Peak, the higher of two peaks in short order, but I will say the the grade was fairly difficult in some places. Something to consider if footing or balance are a concern. Along the way I came across graffitied boulders, rock cairns, and the two claimed geo-finds known as Old Hag prospects 1 & 2.A concrete slab, the last remains of a radio tower I believe, still remains at Van Dams topmost plateau. Apparently there was once a Buddha statue as well, but he ascended into another realm as I found no trace of him. Two lawn chairs however are still with us here on the mortal plane. They face setting sun, no doubt reminiscing and pondering the whereabouts of their old Buddha friend. I dont mind saying I enjoyed a beautiful sunset in one of them when I returned to the area on my way back down. This view is panoramic and Id say its even better than Little Black Mountain, a nearby peak you can see from Van Dam.In order to lengthen the hike, I continued north, traversed another peak slightly northwest, and followed a well-worn trail down the mountain that eventually runs adjacent to Shoal Creek Middle School. Taking another trail that enters the park, I ascended the peak again, this time from the northeast.I wish I had time to investigate some of the many other trails in this open space area, as they look interesting. I saw no other hikers but I did come across mountain bikers aplenty and the trails are riddled with bike marks. I believe the park overall is much more popular with bikers than hikers.Its clear to see why this is the case. Trail runners and people looking for a workout-hike might not appreciate the badly deteriorated ascending trails, the grades of which can me outright dangerous. Hikers are probably looking for trails much longer (although I managed to get 5 miles out of Van Dam and still missed 1/3rd of the park). The redeeming quality of Van Dam Peak is its view, which is stunning from any angle. That alone made the hike worthwhile for me.Happy Hiking,-Justin Arn

Great hiking, MTB, views.

Fun hike

Fun trail

Legit trails

All about downhill, blind jumps, and berms.