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Arroyo Seco Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 15 Google reviews · Running trail in South Pasadena, California · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Arroyo Seco Trailhead yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Scenic

What runners say about Arroyo Seco Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (15 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“It’s a beautiful place and easy path with all the flowers and plant life in full bloom which is also very popular for hiking and running.”

Yesterday was an enjoyable walk along the Arroyo Seco Trail, in Pasadena, California. The trail follows alongside the Arroyo Seco river, meandering through lush greenery and offering tranquil views of the surrounding landscape.

★★★★★ — Jordan , May 2024

Popular, easy trail that follows Arroyo Seco. You can either take this upstream, and with connections to other trails, you can go all the way to Mount Wilson. Most people just take this to the Rose Bowl and back. You can also go downstream, to Debs Park.

★★★★★ — Dog , Apr 2026

Vives o andas cerca del area de Pasadena te recomiendo visitar Arroyo seco trailhead. Un lindo lugar para hacer ejercicio o simplemente caminar para disfrutar del aire fresco y la naturaleza.

★★★★★ — José , Jun 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 15 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“The trail follows alongside the Arroyo Seco river, meandering through lush greenery and offering tranquil views of the surrounding landscape.”

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Plan your run at Arroyo Seco Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.

Where to find Arroyo Seco Trailhead

South Pasadena, California

Get directions

Running trails near South Pasadena

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Arroyo Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 270 reviews

South Pasadena, CA

PavedShadedScenic

Parks with fields for baseball and soccer, plus playgrounds for kids.

under a mile away

South Pasadena Nature Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 77 reviews

South Pasadena, CA

ShadedScenic

Easy-to-access park with a stone circle, a labyrinth and wildflower displays, plus a hiking trail.

under a mile away

Arroyo Seco Bike Path

3.9 ★★★★☆ 17 reviews

South Pasadena, CA

under a mile away

Arroyo Seco Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 123 reviews

South Pasadena, CA

Shaded

Park with shady areas, plus a mini-golf course, a soccer field and walking trails.

under a mile away

Trailhead to arroyo

5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews

Pasadena, CA

1.0 miles away

Garfield Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,305 reviews

South Pasadena, CA

ShadedDog-friendly

A city park space with tennis courts, a looped path, a playground & meditative garden space.

1.2 miles away

All running trails in South Pasadena, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.