Touring * Fitness * Slalom * Artistic *

From Interstate 5 in Laguna Hills, exit at Alicia Parkway heading northeast and follow the signs to Lake Mission Viejo. Proceed three miles to Marguerite Parkway and turn left. At the first light, Vista del Lago, turn right and park in the shopping center as close as possible to the sidewalks on Marguerite Parkway.

Located in a well-to-do area of Mission Viejo, Lake Mission Viejo is nestled in an intimate little basin surrounded by attractive homes with private docks. In this setting, the blue waters and brightly colored umbrellas on the white sand beach give it a Mediterranean feel. Although the shorefront home owners dominate the gated property next to the water, you can enjoy two good views of the lake from a sidewalk loop around its perimeter. Catch a close-up of the sandy beach from Olympiad Road, and a broader, end-to-end view of the whole lake from the sidewalk next to Alicia Parkway. The wonderfully paved sidewalks deliver some fun hill skating in a loop that measures exactly 3.2 miles. (Serious-looking walkers and joggers on any given route can always be depended on to know the exact mileage.) The trail includes long uphills and, of course, long downhills. There are a few driveway intersections to watch out for, but there's no need to wait at an intersection for the light to change, since the route loops around the lake without crossing any major streets. One would expect the neighborhood scenery to be the same on all sides of the lake, but each landscaped four-lane expressway has its own character. Start skating on Marguerite Parkway, which climbs a long hill bordered by trees. The corridor of shade is very pretty but offers no view of the lake. Turn right onto Olympiad Road, where one short stretch of the loop allows the best overlook of the beach at the north end of the lake. Do pay some attention to the sidewalk surface here, though, because shifting slabs can trip the unwary. Neon yellow paint highlights the worst raised edges. Climb Olympiad to San Marcos Street, past new housing developments that are beginning to take over the grassy hilltop to the left. Turn right onto busy Alicia Parkway and skate a couple more hills through the neighborhood. Soon you will arrive at a nice spot on the right to enjoy a view of Lake Mission Viejo. A block up, follow a path that cuts the corner at Marguerite Parkway through some trees and grass near a marina. The short path returns to the sidewalk that takes you back to the start of the loop.