The Tovashal Trail is a well maintained trail located within the Sylvan Meadows Multi-Use Area of the Santa Rosa Plateau. It shares similarities with its neighboring trail, the Torino Trail, in the fact that it begins and the same place and that is has much of the same landscape. Also, both have roughly the same milage and elevation gain. Also, the both connect into Sylvan Meadows Trail. However, the Tovashal Trail is just a little more difficult then the Torino Trail.

Trail Description

To get to the trail from the parking area, follow the little connection trail, which leads you to where the Tornino and Tovashal Trail connect (or where each begin). You could call these two trails a loop, but they are labeled as different trails. For the Tovashal Trail, take the trail on the right (west) and follow this trail. Keep riding it as it follow a natural drainage covered with big oak trees. The end of the trail (part towards Sylvan Meadows) become a little rocky and steep. After this part, the trail levels out and joins the Sylvan Meadows Trail. From here, you can either turn around and ride back (but it would be a real short ride) or you could continue to ride around on the many different trail systems in the area.

Getting There

From Murrieta- If your heading south on the 15 fwy, take a right onto Clinton Keith Road and if your going north, take a left. Follow Clinton Keith up into the hills and go past the Bear Creek area and past the fire station. Once you reach the top of the hill, there will be signs for the Santa Rosa Plateau Vistor Center. Right across the street from the visitor center is the parking and trail head for both the Torino and Tovashal Trail.

When to Bike

You can ride this trail year round, but as with most areas in Southern California, avoid the summer becuase the temperature can get well over 100 degrees. Fall and Spring are the best times to ride this trail generally.