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Mission Trail Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 293 Google reviews · Running trail in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Mission Trail Park'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.
Former estate that is now a 33-acre nature preserve with 5 miles of trails through pine & redwood.
What runners say about Mission Trail Park
“Outside of that the park and trails are beautiful, a lot of different flowers and plants all throughout; some even have placards saying which species they are.”
“One big thing to note off the bat is the weather and temperature here make this a very easy hike from a heat standpoint.”
“This is both a very dog friendly and foliage heavy park.”
Pretty city park that also features a redwood grove, native-plant arboretum, even a mansion. Built on a hill so expect inclines, but the main trail (the blue trail on the map) is wide and graded for easy walking. Many dog walkers here.
We had a great time this trail system is very nice and easy great for families but I didn't see any restrooms .
Beautiful secret garden of Carmel by the sea. Great for a nice walk after having a bite. Spring and summer offer tons of blooms. Some easy trails and some to get your blood pumping a bit. I've been a visitor of Carmel since I was a kid and only discovered this at 27 years old;) Check it out.
Great trails and dog friendly! Whenever I’m in town, I love to go for a walk here. There are a few different paths you can take depending on how much incline you can handle. The easiest one is the Serra trail. I like to enter by Mountain View Ave, end by the Mission, and head to the beach!
Trail conditions & character
“FYI- This park has many people bring their dogs and we encountered several dogs off their leash that came up to us.”
“Outside of that the park and trails are beautiful, a lot of different flowers and plants all throughout; some even have placards saying which species they are.”
“If you’re looking for a leisurely stroll in the morning that takes maybe 15 to 20 minutes and it’s not very hilly then this is your place and you’re eating it high.”
“Tucked in between beautiful neighborhoods, this secluded home offers wood chip paths from one end of Carmel to the other.”
Plan your run at Mission Trail Park
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
- 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.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteci.carmel.ca.us
Hours
| Monday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 5 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Carmel-By-The-Sea
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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