Summer can make for dangerous heat and sun exposure, and extreme care should be taken when hiking in the heat. In general when hiking, you should carry at least half a liter of water per hour of moderate activity — more when it’s hot — and avoid trails with excessive sun exposure. Find more information on hiking in the heat and how to assess the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke here.

Admire the vast Batiquitos Lagoon in Carlsbad on this easy trail.

The roughly 3.4-mile out-and-back hike follows a flat and wide path along the lagoon’s northern side, offering serene views of the 561-acre body of water. Despite the lagoon’s location next to Interstate 5 and a golf course, the walk offers a unique, natural ambiance that feels wholly separate from the surrounding city life.

Visitors can also learn about different aspects of the lagoon, including its wildlife and vegetation, on a self-guided tour by using a smartphone to scan the QR-codes found on wooden posts along the trail.

Temperatures shifted dramatically this past week — with highs in the 80s and 90s — so it was hard to think about spending much time outdoors, especially since hiking in high heat can be dangerous and sometimes fatal. The trail at Batiquitos Lagoon proved to be a great option for warm weather given its close proximity to the coast and shaded sections of the trail.

I also began my hike around 6 p.m. On warm days, it’s best to hike in the early morning or closer to sunset to avoid the hottest part of the day around 3 p.m.

To begin, park at the lagoon entrance on Gabbiano Lane. There is a small lot, but the area offers mostly street parking. This is the western trailhead, but hikers can also begin at the eastern end located off Batiquitos Drive — just east of Spoonbill Lane — since this is an out-and-back.

Begin walking along the paved road as it heads toward the lagoon. Hikers will see the Batiquitos Lagoon Nature Center before coming to a dirt trail.

From here, the directions are simple; stay on the wide dirt path for about 1.7 miles before reaching its end at the Batiquitos Drive trailhead and turning around. Along the way, hikers will pass by the Aviara Golf Club and under shady eucalyptus trees.

Take advantage of the benches that offer prime seating for bird watching over the lagoon, and try out the self-guided tour for some neat facts. For example, I learned that the lagoon provides a habitat and in some cases, a breeding ground, for various types of coastal fish, including pipefish and goby, as well as rays and sharks in the places with sandy bottoms.