Bishop Peak

By Miles Berman

San Luis Obispo and hiking go hand in hand. Just a mile away from campus, Bishop Peak stands out above the rest — literally!

The trail peaks at 1,549 feet in elevation and is the highest of the Nine Sisters of San Luis Obispo County. Bishop Peak can be seen from Cal Poly campus or downtown. The Central Coast centerpiece stands in the neighborhood off of Foothill Drive.

There is a reason this hike is part of the Tri-Tip Challenge. The 3.5-mile out-and-back trail features a handful of switchbacks and a climb of a few rocks at the top is home to a breathtaking

360-degree view of all of the town. In total, the hike should take between two and three hours. Many hikers chose to hang out at the top, eat a snack and listen to music before heading back down.

The trail is open yearround and it is one of the best spots to hike and a great trail for a person looking to take their dog with them. With trailheads on Patricia Drive and Highland Drive, whichever uphill trek is taken is worth it for the spectacular summit overlook. Other activities include bird watching, running and rock climbing at Bishop Peak.