Home › California › Carpinteria › Franklin Trail Trailhead
Franklin Trail Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 123 Google reviews · Running trail in Carpinteria, California · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- 3.2 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Franklin Trail 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 for hiking and running through avocado groves and up to mountain vistas.
What runners say about Franklin Trail Trailhead
“Great ride but no emtb which is ashame but great views with beautifulwood benchesto sit on, good work out and a few off beat trails that were challenging.”
“This hike doesn't offer many tall trees or shade but when I came in the afternoon a couple hours before sunset, it was absolutely perfect.”
This place should 6 stars if I could. Far and away exceeded all of my expectations. Easy access to the trail, plenty of parking in the community, no adventure pass required, cell signal throughout the hike for easy communications, beautiful beach scenery and lovely greenery.
This is a terrific hike. There are multiple versions of this - it's out and back, with multiple ups and downs, but obviously, you can turn around anytime. Parking is either at the official 'trailhead' at the end of Meadow View Ln, or at Carp High School if it's not in session.
Beautiful dirt trail that comes with a beautiful ocean view and bird's eye view of Carpinteria. There are benches along the trail for a pit stop. It gets hot on this trail so pick a time when the sun isn't at its highest.
The single track near the bottom is nice, but the views get better the higher you go. After 5 miles, it goes back to single track before continuing along the fire road along the ridge. Much less crowded the further up you go
Trail conditions & character
“Great ride but no emtb which is ashame but great views with beautifulwood benchesto sit on, good work out and a few off beat trails that were challenging.”
“This hike doesn't offer many tall trees or shade but when I came in the afternoon a couple hours before sunset, it was absolutely perfect.”
“The first part of the trail past the High School are single track switchbacks leading to the fire roads the rest of the way.”
“Parking is either at the official 'trailhead' at the end of Meadow View Ln, or at Carp High School if it's not in session.”
“Popular trail, dog friendly, flat for the first part then a steady climb, views of ocean along the way and plenty of benches to rest at”
Plan your run at Franklin Trail Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Distance3.2 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitefacebook.com
- Phone+1 805-708-6173
Running trails near Carpinteria
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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