Home › California › Poway › Sycamore Canyon Trail
Sycamore Canyon Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 92 Google reviews · Running trail in Poway, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Sycamore Canyon 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.
This scenic trail offers a looped track & takes hikers through some wild land & a waterfall.
What runners say about Sycamore Canyon Trail
“Really beautiful bike ride from the Poway gate with several possible trails.”
“In fact, this a a great trail for jogging.”
“The best part is how quiet it is.”
Alright trail to go mountain biking. I would say it is great but the trail is not clear for the first 2 miles. It is still rideable thought. Very steep downhills with equally very steep climbs. Found myself walking up it a lot but really sending it on the down hill.
Some part of the trail is muddy but can pass through. You can hear the flow of water while walking on the trail. Lots of water crossing, beautiful wildflowers and nice people at the trail.
Great hike, not alot of people which is always a plus, careful at the end of the trail. There is a sign posted about entering with a permit from Miramar marine corps station, if you trespass you get fined up to $500 and your possessions are confiscated, over awesome though.
At the end of the flat road part is a sign saying you need a permit to continue. You do NOT need a permit if you are only staying on the trail and keep to the left.
Trail conditions & character
“There were few steep hills and a lot of long roaming trails to walk on.”
“Really beautiful bike ride from the Poway gate with several possible trails.”
“There are 3 trails from there, 2 single tracks and a service road to the visitor center”
“At the end of the flat road part is a sign saying you need a permit to continue.”
Plan your run at Sycamore Canyon Trail
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.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Phone(858) 513-4737
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–5 PM |
Running trails near Poway
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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