Los Angeles County, California

Looking for the best running in Los Angeles County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Los Angeles County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Running Spots in and near Los Angeles County

  • Los Angeles County, California

    Idlehour Trail

    4.0
    14.89 mi / 4665 ft gain
    Idlehour Trail located near Mount Wilson, California, is an out-and-back trail that is strenuous and can take 8-10 hours if done all at once. There are opportunities to camp off the trail, making this a backpacking trail in the Angeles National Forest as well.  To access the Idlehour Campground ...
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  • Avalon, California

    Camp at Hermit Gulch on Catalina Island

    3.9 mi / 1206 ft gain
    The Avalon port in Catalina is most easily accessed through the Catalina Express leaving from Dana Point, Newport Beach or Long Beach. The Hermit Gulch campsite is only a 20 min walk from the boat and is well run with restrooms, showers... etc. They also sell anything you might have forgotten for...
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  • Laguna Niguel, California

    Dripping Cave in the Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness

    4.4
    7.68 mi / 889 ft gain
    Dripping Cave sits tucked away in a corner of Wood Canyon, part of the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, and the trail to the cave, while short, requires *at least* a 2.25 mile hike in from the nearest trailhead (West Ridge Trail to Mathis Canyon), though this is less than ideal as that rou...
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  • Los Angeles County, California

    Mt. Disappointment via Billy Riley Trail

    3.5 mi / 1132 ft gain
    From the 210 Freeway in La Cañada, take California Highway 2 north 14 miles up into the San Gabriel Mountains. Make sure you have your National Forest Pass (sold at REI or Ranger Station) or your Interagency Pass because they have started checking parked vehicles. At the Red Box Picnic area, make...
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  • Laguna Niguel, California

    Kick Back at Laguna Niguel Regional Park

    This is an awesome tucked away little adventure that will have you occupied all day! With plenty of picnic tables you can be sure to have your own privacy tucked into a corner free from other people. Grab a lake side picnic table or even the numerous ones around the grass fields, they are all won...
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  • Altadena, California

    Gabrieleno Trail: Switzer Falls to Hahamonga Watershed

    5.0
    10.14 mi / 814 ft gain
    Gabrieleno Trail: Switzer Falls to Hahamonga Watershed is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a waterfall located near La Canada Flintridge, California.
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  • Glendora, California

    Poop Out Trail

    5.0
    4.84 mi / 1624 ft gain
    Poop Out Trail is a loop trail where you may see wildflowers located near Glendora, California.
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    Aliso Peak via the Valido Trail

    5.0
    1.14 mi / 325 ft gain
    The Valido Trail trailhead can be found just off West street off the Pacific Coast Highway, just south of Aliso Beach. Park on West Street past the trailhead. The trail proceeds approximate .5 miles till it intersects with the Aliso Peak Trail. Go left .4 miles to the obvious summit and wooden p...
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  • Topanga, California

    Calabasas Peak Motorway

    7.23 mi / 1565 ft gain
    Getting There You can, from Los Angeles, go one of three ways: take I-405 to US-101 and head west, or from downtown, take US-101 the whole way, OR, get on I-10 from the Westside or east of there and take that until it becomes PCH, then take that to Topanga Canyon (turn left onto Old Topanga Cany...
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  • La Verne, California

    Marshall Canyon Trail

    4.0
    5.99 mi / 722 ft gain
    For this adventure you can choose to start in a multiple of places; for the easiest parking use Oak Mesa Park located next to Oak Mesa Elementary School. From the parking lot cross the soccer field towards the bridge on the north east end of the school. Once across the bridge follow Los Robles ea...
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  • Corona, California

    Skyline Drive Trail

    3.0
    9.07 mi / 1946 ft gain
    This trail is shared by hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners. Rock climbers can find areas to boulder off the trail. Bring lots of extra water as this trail is rather dusty and can get very hot. This is a good training hike for those looking to do some backpacking.  The trail is open year-r...
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  • Agoura Hills, California

    Camp at Malibu Creek State Park

    5.0
    Malibu Creek State Park boasts over 8,000 acres of oak woodlands, grassy hills, dramatic peaks and serene meadows. It's an outdoor lover's paradise and only a short drive north from most of Los Angeles. Before it was a park, the land was owned by 20th Century Fox Studios and used in productions...
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  • Silverado, California

    Bedford Peak Trail (CLOSED)

    3.0
    6.78 mi / 1972 ft gain
    The Bedford Peak Trail in Silverado, California is a challenging hike that offers a variety of natural features. The trail spans 6.78 miles round trip and has an elevation gain of 1,972 feet. It is rated as difficult due to its steep inclines and rocky terrain. The trail begins in a dense oak w...
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  • Dana Point, California

    Walk the Dana Point Preserve Trail

    5.0
    0.5 mi
    Ocean views the whole time, plenty of wildlife and different species of native plants make this short hike beautiful. With the hike being short enough to complete in the afternoon after a day at the beach you can see a beautiful view of the coastline north and south. There is plenty of parking in...
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  • Claremont, California

    Claremont Wilderness Loop

    4.8
    5.03 mi / 1020 ft gain
    Drive to the top of Mills Ave in Claremont. There is a main parking area to the left and overflow parking a block south on the right. It costs $3 to park for 4hrs. As the name implies, the Wilderness Loop is a loop that connects to other trails in the Claremont Hills Wilderness. You can choose t...
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  • Malibu, California

    Hike the Backbone East from Latigo Canyon

    3.8 mi / 780 ft gain
    Starting in a dusty, generally empty parking lot, at about 2,000' ASL, you'll go immediately due north, up a few more feet before you drop down into another canyon covered in live oaks (and poison oak), thistles, ferns, and wildflowers. There's only one trail. It's windy, it's not hilly, it just ...
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