Trail Running Clubs in Los Angeles
11 clubs, 19 weekly runs
Los Angeles has more trail running than most people expect. These clubs take you off the pavement into Griffith Park, the Santa Monica Mountains and the foothills of the San Gabriels.
Trail runs are slower and hillier than road runs, so pace matters less and effort matters more. Groups regroup at junctions, and most welcome anyone who can run a few miles on the road.
Clubs
- Thursday 6:00 PMLA Mission College Fitness Center
- Monday 6:10PMManhattan Beach Pier
- Wednesday 6:00PMMira Costa High School track
- Saturday 7:30AMMalaga Cove Plaza
- Sunday 7:30AMValley Park
- Tuesday 6:00PMGriffith Park
- Wednesday 6:30PMPalisades Park
- Thursday 6:30PMOccidental College track
- Saturday 8:00AMGriffith Park
- +1 more on the club page
- Thursday 6:30 PMBalboa Golf Course lot
- Saturday 7:30AMMalaga Cove Plaza fountain
What to expect
- Climbs. Hiking the steep parts is normal and nobody will judge you for it.
- Little shade and no water on many trails. Carry your own, more in summer.
- Dirt and rocks. Road shoes work on fire roads; trail shoes help on single track.
Common questions
Do I need trail shoes for an LA trail running club?
Not to start. Griffith Park fire roads are fine in road shoes. If you keep going on rockier single track, trail shoes give you more grip and protection.
Are LA trail runs safe in summer?
Go early and carry water. Summer trail runs usually start at or before sunrise to beat the heat. Watch for rattlesnakes on warm days and stay on the trail.
Other kinds of runs
New to run clubs?
- What Is a Run Club? How They Work in Los AngelesWhat a run club is, how a typical run works from meetup to coffee after, what it costs, and the different kinds of run clubs you will find in LA.
- How to Choose the Right Run Club in LAA practical way to pick a run club in Los Angeles: start with where and when, match the pace and the vibe, try a few, and keep the one that feels like your crew.
- Running Essentials: Shoes, Gear and What to Bring to a Run ClubWhat you actually need to start running in Los Angeles: how to choose running shoes, what to wear for LA weather, and a short checklist for your first run club.
- How to Start Running: Pace, Breathing and Your First Few WeeksA simple way to start running: the run-walk method, how to find an easy pace, breathing techniques that help, how to handle a side stitch, and a four-week starter plan.