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Quail Loop Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 114 Google reviews · Running trail in Irvine, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Quail Loop Trail'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.

MixedLoopShadedScenicHillyRestroomsTrailhead parking

Dirt hiking area featuring paved and gravel trails, and an exercise area with kids' sections, plus free parking.

What runners say about Quail Loop Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (114 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“5 back but portion of trail I saw had beautiful views of the golf course and canyon.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“It was quite breezy and it was great while resting in the shade of tall oak trees at the trailhead but out on the dirt trail not so much.”

Amazing trail! Beautiful scenery. Paved bike trail and dirt trail. Good 4 to 6 miles but not sure exact miles. Nice view of Irvine.

★★★★★ — Desiree , May 2020

My first time visiting. Because I visited at around 2:30 pm in late July, I saw hardly any people, 5 people altogether. I saw one lady just returning from her bike ride. And as the map shows, people can even ride horses here (from May to November).

★★★★☆ — H , Jul 2024

YOU, yes you should come to the quail trail. A stroll in the quail whether with your dog or your friend will indulge you in the beauty and complexity of nature. To hear natures voice in a world engulfed by the urban sprawl is a opportunity to bring calm to anyone and everyone.

★★★★★ — Joseph , Aug 2025

Breathe taking time ofvthe year for mustard plant flowers. Soft rolling swatches of yellow. Wonderful loop trail to take it all in. We did have a rattle snake cross the path in front of us, just beware.

★★★★☆ — Michael , Apr 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 114 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 8 mentions

“5 back but portion of trail I saw had beautiful views of the golf course and canyon.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 5 mentions

“It was quite breezy and it was great while resting in the shade of tall oak trees at the trailhead but out on the dirt trail not so much.”

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🔁 Loop trail 5 mentions

“I would highly recommend taking your time to visit quail loop trail it will not disappoint”

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🛣️ Paved surface 4 mentions

“Paved bike trail and dirt trail.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“It was quite breezy and it was great while resting in the shade of tall oak trees at the trailhead but out on the dirt trail not so much.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“It was quite breezy and it was great while resting in the shade of tall oak trees at the trailhead but out on the dirt trail not so much.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“Its a lovely loop hike, the incline is pretty mild.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“The restroom’s very clean and maintained well.”

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Plan your run at Quail Loop Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to 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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websiteletsgooutside.org

Hours

Monday 7 AM–6 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–6 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–6 PM
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday 7 AM–6 PM
Saturday 7 AM–6 PM
Sunday 7 AM–6 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Quail Loop Trail

Irvine, California

Get directions

Running trails near Irvine

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

Quail Hill Trailhead

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LoopShadedScenicDog-friendly

Leashed pets are allowed on this popular loop trail for hiking, jogging & biking with city views.

under a mile away

Quail Trail

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LoopScenic

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French Hill, Irvine, CA

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Natural surfaceLitScenic

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Turtle Rock Nature Center

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PavedScenic

Five-acre nature preserve with trails for viewing wildlife & habitats, plus an outdoor classroom.

1.9 miles away

Turtle Rock Trail

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Scenic

Park featuring hiking trails and scenic views of Orange County.

1.9 miles away

Laguna Altura Trailhead

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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.