Trail Races & Routes in California
Explore 200 trail running and hiking routes across California. 15 organized races and 185 training routes covering distances from 0.9 mi to 134.9 mi. Elevation gains range from 11 ft to 16,772 ft. View detailed terrain intelligence for every route.
Key Takeaways
Total Routes
200
Races / Routes
15 / 185
Distance Range
0.9 mi - 134.9 mi
Elevation Range
11 ft - 16,772 ft
Most Popular Distance
Other (136)
Surface Type
97% Trail
| Route Name | Location | Distance | Elevation Gain | Type | Race Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Tree Half Marathon | San Bernardino County, California | 13.2 mi | 438 ft | race | Nov 1, 2026 |
| ASICS Los Angeles Marathon 2026 | Los Angeles, California | 26.2 mi | 812 ft | race | Mar 8, 2026 |
| California International Marathon | Folsom, California | 26.3 mi | 115 ft | race | Dec 7, 2026 |
| Big Sur Marathon | Monterey County, California | 26.3 mi | 2,054 ft | race | Apr 26, 2026 |
| Lake Sonoma 50k | Sonoma County, California | 31.1 mi | 6,459 ft | race | Apr 11, 2026 |
| Western States 100 | Tahoe National Forest, California | 99.8 mi | 16,772 ft | race | Jun 27, 2026 |
| Carlsbad 5000 | Carlsbad, California | 3.0 mi | 46 ft | race | — |
| Bay to Breakers | San Francisco, California | 7.7 mi | 332 ft | race | — |
| Dipsea Race route | Mount Tamalpais State Park, California | 11.6 mi | 2,422 ft | race | — |
| Way Too Cool 50K | Auburn State Recreation Area, California | 31.1 mi | 4,287 ft | race | — |
| Miwok 100K | Mount Tamalpais State Park, California | 61.0 mi | 10,019 ft | race | — |
| Canyons 100K | Foresthill, California | 61.2 mi | 11,792 ft | race | — |
| Kodiak Ultra | San Bernardino National Forest, California | 61.4 mi | 10,038 ft | race | — |
| Angeles Crest 100 | La Cañada Flintridge, California | 100.6 mi | 10,125 ft | race | — |
| Badwater 135 | Death Valley National Park, California | 134.9 mi | 15,768 ft | race | — |
| Tollhouse Traverse (CA) | Fresno County, California | 0.9 mi | 494 ft | route | — |
| Kill 'Em Quick (CA) | Los Angeles County, California | 1.0 mi | 1,060 ft | route | — |
| Right On, Joshua Tree (CA) | Riverside County, California | 1.6 mi | 457 ft | route | — |
| Ubehebe Crater (Death Valley National Park, CA) | Inyo County, California | 1.9 mi | 388 ft | route | — |
| The Sisters | San Luis Obispo County, California | 2.4 mi | 592 ft | route | — |
| Fryman Canyon Loop (CA) | Los Angeles County, California | 2.6 mi | 438 ft | route | — |
| Tenaya Peak, NW Buttress (CA) | Mariposa County, California | 2.7 mi | 2,119 ft | route | — |
| Tahquitz Rock (CA) | Riverside County, California | 2.9 mi | 1,659 ft | route | — |
| Mt Tamalpais (CA) | Marin County, California | 3.3 mi | 2,488 ft | route | — |
| Temescal Ridge Trail Loop | Los Angeles County, California | 3.3 mi | 926 ft | route | — |
| Jobs Peak from Carson Valley (CA, NV) | Alpine County, California | 3.4 mi | 5,798 ft | route | — |
| Mammoth Lakes, Crystal Crag (CA) | Mono County, California | 3.4 mi | 1,447 ft | route | — |
| Mt Shasta (CA) | Siskiyou County, California | 3.5 mi | 6,011 ft | route | — |
| Corkscrew Peak (Death Valley NP, CA) | Inyo County, California | 3.6 mi | 3,201 ft | route | — |
| Sunset Peak (CA) | Los Angeles County, California | 3.6 mi | 1,234 ft | route | — |
| Royal Arches (CA) | Mariposa County, California | 3.9 mi | 2,126 ft | route | — |
| Saratoga Gap Trail | Santa Cruz County, California | 3.9 mi | 560 ft | route | — |
| Loch Trail | Loch Lomond Recreation Area, California | 3.9 mi | 1,331 ft | route | — |
| Ridge Trail | Soquel Demonstration State Forest, California | 4.0 mi | 1,342 ft | route | — |
| Lake Wohlford Trails | Lake Wohlford, California | 4.0 mi | 287 ft | route | — |
| Aptos Creek Trail | The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, California | 4.0 mi | 493 ft | route | — |
| Horse Mountain Creek Trail | King Range National Conservation Area, California | 4.2 mi | 527 ft | route | — |
| Rays Gulch Trail | Klamath National Forest, California | 4.3 mi | 617 ft | route | — |
| Hollywood Walk of Fame | Los Angeles, California | 4.3 mi | 181 ft | route | — |
| Four Mile Trail | Yosemite National Park, California | 4.4 mi | 3,353 ft | route | — |
| Sierra Buttes (CA) | Sierra County, California | 4.5 mi | 1,696 ft | route | — |
| Cabin Creek Trail | Shasta-Trinity National Forest, California | 4.6 mi | 698 ft | route | — |
| Cristianitos Trail | San Clemente, California | 4.8 mi | 914 ft | route | — |
| Buzzard Lagoon Road | The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, California | 4.8 mi | 578 ft | route | — |
| Butler Peak (CA) | San Bernardino County, California | 4.8 mi | 1,533 ft | route | — |
| Black Mountain (CA) | Santa Clara County, California | 4.9 mi | 2,526 ft | route | — |
| UC Davis Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve - Blue Ridge-Homestead Loop | Solano County, California | 4.9 mi | 1,424 ft | route | — |
| Mount Whitney Mountaineer's Route | Inyo National Forest, California | 5.0 mi | 6,072 ft | route | — |
| Ohlone Bluff Trail | Wilder Ranch State Park, California | 5.0 mi | 258 ft | route | — |
| Philosopher's Way | San Francisco, California | 5.0 mi | 789 ft | route | — |
| Kanaka Loop Trail | Santa Ysabel Preserve, California | 5.1 mi | 643 ft | route | — |
| East Fork Trail | Ventura County, California | 5.2 mi | 695 ft | route | — |
| Timber Top (CA) | Monterey County, California | 5.3 mi | 2,607 ft | route | — |
| West Ridge Trail | The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, California | 5.3 mi | 1,782 ft | route | — |
| Bench Trail | Pinnacles National Park, California | 5.3 mi | 263 ft | route | — |
| Castle Dome (Castle Crags State Park, CA) | Shasta County, California | 5.3 mi | 2,363 ft | route | — |
| Las Trampas to Mt. Diablo Regional Trail | Contra Costa County, California | 5.5 mi | 713 ft | route | — |
| Mt Hoffmann (CA) | Mariposa County, California | 5.5 mi | 2,018 ft | route | — |
| Panorama Trail | Yosemite National Park, California | 5.6 mi | 2,018 ft | route | — |
| High Peaks Trail | Pinnacles National Park, California | 5.7 mi | 1,328 ft | route | — |
| Picacho Stamp Mill Trail | Picacho State Recreational Area, California | 5.7 mi | 324 ft | route | — |
| Lost Empire Trail | Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, California | 5.8 mi | 1,719 ft | route | — |
| Fort Ord Small Loop | Monterey County, California | 5.9 mi | 752 ft | route | — |
| South Poway Trail | Poway, California | 6.0 mi | 1,376 ft | route | — |
| Stephen E. Abbors Trail | Santa Clara County, California | 6.0 mi | 1,487 ft | route | — |
| Mount Diablo (CA) | Contra Costa County, California | 6.1 mi | 3,719 ft | route | — |
| Camp Creek National Recreation Trail | San Bernardino National Forest, California | 6.2 mi | 1,026 ft | route | — |
| Majors Mountain (Barstow, CA) | San Bernardino County, California | 6.2 mi | 443 ft | route | — |
| Mission Peak (CA) | Alameda County, California | 6.2 mi | 2,074 ft | route | — |
| Vernal and Nevada Falls via Mist Trail | Yosemite National Park, California | 6.2 mi | 2,279 ft | route | — |
| Cosmic Wall, Mt Hubris (CA) | Shasta County, California | 6.3 mi | 2,796 ft | route | — |
| Chilkoot Trail | Trinity Alps Wilderness, California | 6.3 mi | 960 ft | route | — |
| Griffith Park 11-Peak Traverse | Los Angeles County, California | 6.4 mi | 1,621 ft | route | — |
| Golden Canyon - Zabriskie Point - Gower Gulch Loop (CA) | Inyo County, California | 6.4 mi | 1,077 ft | route | — |
| Mt Baldy (CA) | Los Angeles County, California | 6.4 mi | 5,832 ft | route | — |
| Kaiser Peak (Ski) | Fresno County, California | 6.5 mi | 3,173 ft | route | — |
| Pa'san Ridge Trail | Madera County, California | 6.5 mi | 1,542 ft | route | — |
| Wilder Ranch Coastal Obstacle Course (CA) | Santa Cruz County, California | 6.6 mi | 188 ft | route | — |
| Cathedral Peak - Eichorn Pinnacle Loop (CA) | Tuolumne County, California | 6.6 mi | 2,372 ft | route | — |
| Upper Yosemite Falls Trail | Yosemite National Park, California | 6.6 mi | 3,268 ft | route | — |
| Sweeney Ridge Trail | San Francisco Peninsula Watershed, California | 6.6 mi | 1,689 ft | route | — |
| Loma Prieta Grade | The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, California | 6.7 mi | 1,564 ft | route | — |
| Lone Pine Peak (Full Northeast + North Ridge 5.6) | Inyo County, California | 6.9 mi | 6,539 ft | route | — |
| Los Trancos Trail | Foothills Nature Preserve, California | 6.9 mi | 2,178 ft | route | — |
| Saratoga to the Skyline | Santa Clara County, California | 7.1 mi | 3,190 ft | route | — |
| Mt. Emerson | Inyo County, California | 7.1 mi | 3,829 ft | route | — |
| Yosemite Falls Trail (CA) | Mariposa County, California | 7.2 mi | 2,957 ft | route | — |
| Lost Palms Oasis Trail | Joshua Tree National Park, California | 7.3 mi | 861 ft | route | — |
| Baron Ranch Trail | Santa Barbara County, California | 7.3 mi | 1,483 ft | route | — |
| Toro Park "1800" Trail (CA) | Monterey County, California | 7.3 mi | 1,606 ft | route | — |
| Spiller Canyon Horseshoe (CA) | Tuolumne County, California | 7.4 mi | 4,590 ft | route | — |
| Gold River Nature Trail | Sacramento County, California | 7.4 mi | 287 ft | route | — |
| Rhododendron Trail | Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California | 7.6 mi | 1,521 ft | route | — |
| Feather Falls Loop (CA) | Butte County, California | 7.7 mi | 1,554 ft | route | — |
| Saratoga Toll Road Trail | Castle Rock State Park, California | 7.7 mi | 1,165 ft | route | — |
| Stanford Dish Loop Trail | Santa Clara County, California | 7.8 mi | 754 ft | route | — |
| Mt Dana & Mt Gibbs (Yosemite, CA) | Tuolumne County, California | 7.9 mi | 4,327 ft | route | — |
| Marshall Canyon Trail | La Verne, California | 8.1 mi | 1,350 ft | route | — |
| The Barbary Coast Trail | San Francisco, California | 8.2 mi | 1,015 ft | route | — |
| Mount Whitney Trail | Inyo National Forest, California | 8.3 mi | 6,369 ft | route | — |
| Bob Walker Regional Trail | Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, California | 8.5 mi | 1,611 ft | route | — |
| Olmstead Loop Trail | Auburn State Recreation Area, California | 8.6 mi | 1,042 ft | route | — |
| Montaña de Oro Whale Loop (CA) | San Luis Obispo County, California | 8.8 mi | 1,229 ft | route | — |
| El Moro Canyon Loop (CA) | Orange County, California | 8.8 mi | 1,209 ft | route | — |
| Wilder Ridge Loop | Wilder Ranch State Park, California | 8.9 mi | 788 ft | route | — |
| Granite Peak Trail, Trinity Alps Wilderness (CA) | Trinity County, California | 8.9 mi | 4,409 ft | route | — |
| Mount Perry (CA) | Inyo County, California | 9.0 mi | 2,133 ft | route | — |
| Snow Creek Trail | Yosemite National Park, California | 9.0 mi | 4,654 ft | route | — |
| Glacier Point, Yosemite (CA) | Mariposa County, California | 9.1 mi | 3,184 ft | route | — |
| Mt Tallac (CA) | El Dorado County, California | 9.5 mi | 3,281 ft | route | — |
| Hihn's Mill Road | Soquel Demonstration State Forest, California | 9.5 mi | 2,050 ft | route | — |
| Arcata Ridge Trail Yo-Yo | Humboldt County, California | 9.6 mi | 1,883 ft | route | — |
| Satwiwa to Sandstone Peak | Ventura County, California | 9.7 mi | 2,933 ft | route | — |
| East Weaver Campground Loop 5, 6 (CA) | Trinity County, California | 9.8 mi | 1,332 ft | route | — |
| Garland Traverse (CA) | Monterey County, California | 9.8 mi | 3,561 ft | route | — |
| Antelope Loop Trail | Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve, California | 9.8 mi | 959 ft | route | — |
| Hellhole Canyon County Preserve | Hellhole Canyon Open Space Preserve, California | 10.0 mi | 3,179 ft | route | — |
| Bonelli trail | Los Angeles County, California | 10.0 mi | 1,438 ft | route | — |
| Powers Peak (CA) | Kern County, California | 10.1 mi | 3,125 ft | route | — |
| Sullivan Canyon Loop (CA) | Los Angeles County, California | 10.2 mi | 1,651 ft | route | — |
| Cowell-Wilder Regional Trail | Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, California | 10.3 mi | 1,661 ft | route | — |
| Mount Russell (CA) | Inyo County, California | 10.4 mi | 5,758 ft | route | — |
| No Man's Land | Los Angeles County, California | 10.4 mi | 2,736 ft | route | — |
| Candlelight Peak Traverse | Inyo County, California | 10.5 mi | 4,557 ft | route | — |
| Cone Peak (CA) | Monterey County, California | 10.6 mi | 5,758 ft | route | — |
| Mammoth Crest - Duck Pass (CA) | Mono County, California | 10.8 mi | 2,814 ft | route | — |
| Clear Creek Greenway | Shasta County, California | 10.9 mi | 477 ft | route | — |
| Trinidad Head Loop (CA) | Humboldt County, California | 11.0 mi | 3,213 ft | route | — |
| Tenaya, Matthes, Cathedral Traverse (CA) | Mariposa County, California | 11.0 mi | 4,956 ft | route | — |
| Redwoods 'Big Tree' loop | Humboldt County, California | 11.0 mi | 2,173 ft | route | — |
| Pacific Palisades - Tarzana (CA) | Los Angeles County, California | 11.0 mi | 2,173 ft | route | — |
| South Lakes Peaks Traverse | Inyo County, California | 11.1 mi | 4,671 ft | route | — |
| HikANation Historical Route | Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California | 11.1 mi | 797 ft | route | — |
| El Cajon Mountain (CA) | San Diego County, California | 11.2 mi | 3,537 ft | route | — |
| Pohono Trail | Yosemite National Park, California | 11.6 mi | 2,104 ft | route | — |
| Marin Headlands Loop (CA) | Marin County, California | 11.6 mi | 2,274 ft | route | — |
| Yana Trail | Tehama County, California | 11.7 mi | 673 ft | route | — |
| Ivan Dickson Trail | Briones Regional Park, California | 11.7 mi | 2,639 ft | route | — |
| Mt. Conness (CA) | Mono County, California | 11.8 mi | 5,045 ft | route | — |
| Victory - Cheeseboro Loop (CA) | Ventura County, California | 12.1 mi | 1,670 ft | route | — |
| Freel Peak - Jobs Peak Loop (CA) | El Dorado County, California | 12.1 mi | 3,441 ft | route | — |
| San Joaquin River Trail | Fresno County, California | 12.5 mi | 2,294 ft | route | — |
| Pinnacles National Park Loop (CA) | San Benito County, California | 12.6 mi | 2,796 ft | route | — |
| Mt Langley (CA) | Inyo County, California | 12.6 mi | 7,579 ft | route | — |
| Clouds Rest, Yosemite (CA) | Mariposa County, California | 12.6 mi | 3,135 ft | route | — |
| Aptos Creek Fire Road | The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, California | 12.6 mi | 3,143 ft | route | — |
| Lone Pine Peak (CA) | Inyo County, California | 12.7 mi | 5,302 ft | route | — |
| Mount Lowe Loop (CA) | Los Angeles County, California | 12.7 mi | 4,023 ft | route | — |
| Shasta - Shastina (CA) | Siskiyou County, California | 12.8 mi | 7,915 ft | route | — |
| Briones Reservoir Loop | Contra Costa County, California | 12.9 mi | 1,460 ft | route | — |
| Matterhorn Peak (CA) | Mono County, California | 13.0 mi | 5,351 ft | route | — |
| Surf City Half Marathon | Huntington Beach, California | 13.1 mi | 109 ft | route | — |
| Artist's Palette Loop (CA) | Inyo County, California | 13.1 mi | 1,695 ft | route | — |
| Bear Creek Spire (CA) | Inyo County, California | 13.1 mi | 4,017 ft | route | — |
| Rinconada, Little Falls, Big Falls (CA) | San Luis Obispo County, California | 13.2 mi | 2,765 ft | route | — |
| Jones Peak (CA) | Los Angeles County, California | 13.3 mi | 4,711 ft | route | — |
| Lassen Volcano Tour | Westwood, California | 13.4 mi | 2,032 ft | route | — |
| Josephine Peak via Strawberry Peak (CA) | Los Angeles County, California | 13.6 mi | 3,535 ft | route | — |
| Crafton Hills Traverse (CA) | San Bernardino County, California | 14.0 mi | 2,236 ft | route | — |
| Reyes Peak (CA) | Ventura County, California | 14.0 mi | 3,872 ft | route | — |
| Red Reef Trail | Sespe Wilderness, California | 14.1 mi | 3,878 ft | route | — |
| Ellis Peak | Foresthill, California | 14.1 mi | 2,510 ft | route | — |
| Mount Wilson Toll Road | Angeles National Forest, California | 14.1 mi | 4,475 ft | route | — |
| Malibu Creek State Park Loop (CA) | Los Angeles County, California | 14.1 mi | 2,835 ft | route | — |
| Mt. Vaca Loop (CA) | Solano County, California | 14.3 mi | 2,629 ft | route | — |
| Around the Top Ridge Traverse (CA) | Alpine County, California | 14.3 mi | 4,697 ft | route | — |
| Mt Whitney (CA) | Inyo County, California | 14.3 mi | 6,274 ft | route | — |
| El Capitan (CA) | Mariposa County, California | 14.3 mi | 4,530 ft | route | — |
| Kaiser Peak Loop via Mary's Meadow (CA) | Fresno County, California | 14.4 mi | 3,356 ft | route | — |
| Tuolumne Alpine Grand Slam (CA) | Mariposa County, California | 14.4 mi | 4,762 ft | route | — |
| Mount Humphreys (CA) | Inyo County, California | 14.5 mi | 4,957 ft | route | — |
| White Mountain (CA) | Mono County, California | 14.6 mi | 9,669 ft | route | — |
| Wilder Highway 1 | Santa Cruz, California | 14.6 mi | 2,136 ft | route | — |
| Donner Crest | Placer County, California | 14.7 mi | 3,547 ft | route | — |
| New Millennium Loop (CA) | Los Angeles County, California | 14.8 mi | 2,529 ft | route | — |
| Silver Peak Circumference (CA) | Monterey County, California | 14.8 mi | 4,691 ft | route | — |
| Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park - Dock to Dock | Santa Barbara County, California | 14.8 mi | 2,881 ft | route | — |
| Lava Beds National Monument Traverse (CA) | Siskiyou County, California | 14.9 mi | 183 ft | route | — |
| Griffith Park Loop (Los Angeles, CA) | Los Angeles County, California | 15.2 mi | 2,827 ft | route | — |
| White Mountain Peak | Mono County, California | 15.2 mi | 3,357 ft | route | — |
| West Cuesta Mistbuster Loop (CA) | San Luis Obispo County, California | 15.3 mi | 2,851 ft | route | — |
| Ocean Beach (San Francisco, CA) | San Francisco, California | 15.4 mi | 11 ft | route | — |
| Grouse Ridge Trail | Nevada City, California | 15.5 mi | 2,546 ft | route | — |
| Weaver Bally Road Loops 1, 2, 3 (CA) | Trinity County, California | 15.6 mi | 1,719 ft | route | — |
| Palm Springs Loop | La Quinta, California | 15.6 mi | 2,426 ft | route | — |
| Pole Mountain via Sea to Sky Trail, Jenner Headlands (CA) | Sonoma County, California | 15.7 mi | 3,725 ft | route | — |
| Mount Umunhum (CA) | Santa Clara County, California | 15.7 mi | 2,891 ft | route | — |
| Mugu Peak Loop (CA) | Ventura County, California | 15.7 mi | 2,435 ft | route | — |
| Brown Mountain Loop (CA) | Los Angeles County, California | 15.8 mi | 2,151 ft | route | — |
| Art Smith Trail (CA) | Riverside County, California | 15.8 mi | 3,098 ft | route | — |
| Santiago Peak (CA) | Orange County, California | 15.9 mi | 4,076 ft | route | — |
| Fourth of July Lake Loop | Alpine County, California | 15.9 mi | 3,328 ft | route | — |
| Boy Scout Trail, Joshua Tree NP (CA) | San Bernardino County, California | 15.9 mi | 1,689 ft | route | — |
| Hinckley Ridge | Aptos, California | 16.0 mi | 3,215 ft | route | — |
| Mt Wilson (CA) | Los Angeles County, California | 16.1 mi | 4,829 ft | route | — |
| Ryan Ranch | Desert Hot Springs, California | 16.1 mi | 1,919 ft | route | — |
| Canyon Creek Lakes Trail, Trinity Alps Wilderness (CA) | Trinity County, California | 16.2 mi | 3,025 ft | route | — |
| Mission Trails Five Peak Challenge (CA) | San Diego County, California | 16.3 mi | 4,307 ft | route | — |
| Shasta Bally (CA) | Shasta County, California | 16.5 mi | 5,273 ft | route | — |
| Topanga State Park Loop (CA) | Los Angeles County, California | 16.7 mi | 2,981 ft | route | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trail races are in California?
There are 15 organized races and 185 self-supported routes available in California.
What is the average elevation gain in California?
The average elevation gain is 2,802 feet, with routes ranging from 11 to 16,772 feet.
What distances are available in California?
Available distances include: Half Marathon, Marathon, 50K, 100 Mile, 5K, 100K, Ultra, 10K.
Can these trail routes in California be used for hiking?
Yes. 97% of these routes are on trail surfaces, making them suitable for both trail running and hiking. The terrain analysis and elevation profiles help hikers plan their adventures just as effectively as runners.
What's the best time of year to run trails in California?
Trail running conditions in California vary by season and elevation. Check the race date column for organized events, which are typically scheduled during optimal weather windows. For year-round training routes, elevation profiles help you plan for seasonal conditions.
More Races in California
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