Follow the Dogs
to Cabo’s Best View
TIME
~1.5 to 2 hours
DIFFICULTY
Moderate to Challengine
DISTANCE
~1.2 miles (1.6 km)
ELEVATION
Quick Trail Notes
Meeting Point & Location
This trail is not ADA-accessible. Expect steep grades, loose gravel, uneven rock, exposed areas, and boulders that may require using both hands.
Facilities
There are no public restrooms, trash cans, shops, or other visitor facilities at the trailhead or along the route.
Water Availability
No potable water is available. Carry at least one liter per person and more during hot weather.
Cell Service
Cell service is generally reliable because of the trail’s proximity to downtown Cabo and the marina.
Seasonal Closures
The trail is on private property and can only be accessed during the scheduled group tours; you cannot hike it independently. Standard start time is 8 AM, Daily (except Saturdays). During the hot summer months (August–September), departures shift earlier to 6:00 AM to avoid the extreme heat. Check the official Facebook page, Ascenso al Cerro del Vigia, before heading out to verify the current season’s times.
There is no visitor parking at the kennel gate or nearby naval base. Take a taxi or rideshare to the trailhead.
Available on AllTrails
Dogs
Do not bring your own dog. Enrique’s dogs are an established pack on familiar territory, and an unfamiliar animal could disrupt its safety dynamic.
The hike is free and donation-based. A tip of $10–$20 USD or more per person is encouraged and helps support the dogs.
What to Bring:
Wear hiking boots or sturdy athletic shoes with excellent grip. Bring water, sun protection, cash for tipping, a charged phone or camera, and a small daypack that keeps your hands free.
Read Along the Route
Pair this hike with The Forgotten Peninsula: A Naturalist in Baja California by Joseph Wood Krutch. His attentive observations of desert plants, wildlife, geology, and solitude perfectly complement Enrique’s invitation to slow down, become present, and recognize the life hidden within Cabo’s seemingly sparse landscape.
FREE PRINTABLE GUIDE
Take the pack’s trail with you.
Save or print this Cerro del Vigía Pocket Trail Card before you go. Follow Enrique Morales and his trail dogs from the gate near Cabo’s old tuna cannery, along sandy desert paths, over loose gravel and granite scrambles, to a 360-degree summit view of Land’s End, Lovers’ Beach, Médano Beach, and the Pacific. Use this pocket-sized guide to check tour details, pack the essentials, follow the route, and record your time at each stop on one of Cabo San Lucas’s most memorable hikes.
I met Enrique Morales at his training center located near Cabo’s old tuna cannery. The morning’s canine hiking team was already gathering at the gate. There were shepherds, pit bull mixes, small dogs with oversized confidence, and gray-muzzled veterans that appeared to know every rock on the mountain. For a dog lover, it would have been difficult to imagine a better welcoming committee.
Enrique is a passionate local dog trainer and native Choyero, a term used for someone born in Baja California Sur. He knows the mountain as more than a trail leading to a beautiful view. He understands the land, the surrounding waters, and the stories that have helped shape this corner of Cabo.
Once the gate opened and Enrique gave a brief introduction, the pack poured onto the trail, and the rest of us followed.
The lower section began gently on a sandy path through dry grasses, thorny shrubs, and cactus. Cerro del Vigía (also known as Mt. Solmar) rose directly ahead, looking much steeper in person than its short distance might suggest.
Do not underestimate this hike because it is only about 1.2 miles round trip. The compact dirt soon gives way to loose gravel and uneven rock. As the trail climbs, the grade becomes steeper, the footing less secure, and the route increasingly rugged.
Fortunately, Enrique does not treat the mountain as something to rush through. He pauses along the way to let everyone regroup and uses those breaks to share stories in both English and Spanish. He explained aspects of Cabo’s history and local geology, as well as regional folklore associated with the mountain and the waters surrounding Land’s End.
These stops transformed the climb into more than a race toward the summit. Instead of concentrating only on the incline, I began looking more carefully at the granite beneath my feet, the desert plants growing from its cracks, and the coastline slowly appearing behind us.
Enrique also spoke about connecting with the energy of the earth and becoming more mindful of the present moment. He described the two lives we tend to occupy: the busy one inside our heads and the tangible world unfolding around us. It was an inspiring reminder to step outside the first and pay closer attention to the second.
And that is easier to do when a pack of enthusiastic dogs is racing past you.
The dogs turned the entire climb into an adventure. They bounded through the scrub, hopped onto boulders, and paused above us with expressions suggesting the humans were taking far too long. At other times, they stopped beside hikers or rested in small patches of shade.
Near the summit, I stepped over large rocks, squeezed between boulders, and used my hands to cross several weathered granite slabs. None of the scrambling is technical, but sturdy footwear and steady balance are essential. The descent can be especially slippery, so take short steps and avoid rushing.
The dogs, naturally, made every difficult section look effortless. I enjoyed following them, but I did not attempt to copy their exact routes. Four paws have a clear advantage on steep granite.
Although the mountainside first appeared sun-bleached and sparse, I began noticing more life the closer I looked. Slender columnar cactus grew from cracks between the rocks, some tipped with reddish buds. Wiry shrubs twisted across the slope, golden grasses gathered in sheltered pockets, and bright yellow flowers added flashes of color to the dusty landscape.
The vegetation crowds close to parts of the route, so watch where you place your hands and feet. Cactus spines and thorny branches can be harder to notice when your attention is fixed on the view.
The mountain also supports wildlife beyond Enrique’s pack. Lizards may dart across sun-warmed rocks, while ravens, hawks, turkey vultures, and other desert birds circle above the ridge. Many small animals shelter in crevices or dense brush during the hottest hours, so avoid reaching blindly beneath rocks.
Before reaching the summit, the trail offered its first open view of Cabo San Lucas Bay. Boats floated across turquoise water, Médano Beach curved along the coast, and the marina appeared surprisingly small below. The view only improved as I climbed.
At the summit, Cabo opened around me in a breathtaking 360-degree panorama. Brilliant blue water filled almost every direction, shifting from luminous turquoise along the beaches to rich sapphire and deep navy farther offshore. On one side, I could see the marina, Médano Beach, and the city curving around Cabo San Lucas Bay. On the other, the Pacific stretched toward an uninterrupted horizon. Ahead, the sunlit granite formations of Land’s End rose dramatically from the sea, with Lovers’ Beach tucked between the rocks below.
The summit is rocky and exposed rather than broad and level. Choose your footing carefully, particularly near the edges, and do not expect railings or constructed viewpoints. Hikers generally spend about 30 minutes here, enough time to rest, take photographs, and watch boats draw thin white lines across the water.
Meanwhile, the dogs settled beneath boulders or gathered near Enrique, looking completely at home against the enormous blue backdrop.
The return follows a slightly different route. Loose gravel makes the descent surprisingly challenging, and several large steps were easier for me to negotiate sideways or with the help of both hands. A small daypack proved useful because it kept my hands free.
Eventually, the jagged granite gave way to the wider dirt trail, and the pack returned to the gate as though this had been an entirely ordinary morning.
I had expected Cerro del Vigía to deliver a spectacular view. I had not expected the experience to feel so personal. Enrique’s stories gave the mountain context. His reflections encouraged me to slow down and become more present. And his dogs transformed a short, steep desert climb into one of the most joyful hikes I experienced in Cabo.
Follow the dogs. Listen to the stories.
Joseph Wood Krutch, The Forgotten Peninsula
THOUGHTFULLY RESEARCHED
Written by Jacqueline Miller, founder of Adventurous Ambles. Through firsthand travel, original photography, and detailed route research, Jacqueline creates walking guides, hiking resources, destination reading lists, and travel inspiration for curious travelers. Unless otherwise noted, all content and photography on Adventurous Ambles are original works protected by copyright.
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