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Buck Gully Trailhead
4.5 ★★★★★ 157 Google reviews · Running trail in Corona Del Mar, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 5.2 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Buck Gully Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. 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.
Trail, usually quiet, through a canyon up to vista points.
What runners say about Buck Gully Trailhead
“Narrow trails, just 4 entry points and well-maintained and marked trails.”
“Hidden in a beautiful neighborhood, this trail is a gorgeous out and back trail.”
“There are a few passageways that have shade, but most the time you will be in the sun.”
“Sunday morning Hike on #BuckGullyTrail , Corona del Mar The Buck Gully Trail is a peaceful and fun 5.”
This trail was about 6 miles total and it has everything. There is a fair amount of scenery. Seen a snake, lizards, and some colorful bugs. There are a few passageways that have shade, but most the time you will be in the sun. There aren't any water stations or benches though to take a break.
A really nice, well kept trail with great scenery. It’s a great trail for runners and beginning mountain bikers as well. It’s a mild elevation change so makes it easy. If you break off left and head up the bobcat trail you’ll get a steeper elevation change, but amazing views of Newport Beach, Ocean, Balboa Island, etc.
Great family hike! It was longer than expected so we didn’t get to finish so we’ll definitely be back. It got warm so we had to take off our jackets and wear our Jacket Clips. 30 min in from the entrance, the trail splits, that’s when we turned around.
Decent good trail. Easy. Well maintained by the city. It’s a good trail for days don’t want to go far but still need some nature. Beautiful when it’s lush in the spring. Brown in the fall but still pretty. Would enjoy it more if it went along the creek more. Can get pretty hot, not much breeze.
Trail conditions & character
“There is no public parking from where we entered the trail, it's street parking adjacent to neighborhood houses.”
“There are lots of stunning sights as well as elevation changes and wildlife to observe, such as hawks, lizards, butterflies, and ducks.”
“If you break off left and head up the bobcat trail you’ll get a steeper elevation change, but amazing views of Newport Beach, Ocean, Balboa Island, etc.”
“Sunday morning Hike on #BuckGullyTrail , Corona del Mar The Buck Gully Trail is a peaceful and fun 5.”
“Offering over 6 to 8 miles of trails, steep slopes and challenging uphills - be ready to be challenged!”
“There are a few passageways that have shade, but most the time you will be in the sun.”
“Views and the creek were ok, I just was really happy that I could get walking exercise on a dirt path that was about 2.”
“It's not a loop trail, so expect to return to your car via the same trail you took at first.”
“There are bathrooms, but on the main upper trail area.”
“There aren't any water stations or benches though to take a break.”
Plan your run at Buck Gully Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance5.2 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–8 PM |
Running trails near Corona Del Mar
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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