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Tarantula Hill
4.8 ★★★★★ 65 Google reviews · Running trail in Thousand Oaks, California · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Tarantula Hill'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.
Steep paved trail leading to a vantage point at the valley's apex.
What runners say about Tarantula Hill
“A quick nice cardio to get on the top and enjoy 360 views of rolling hills and beautiful Thousand Oaks.”
I lived in Thousand Oaks for two years. This was my families favorite quick “hike” to get some extra cardio. Weathers perfect in Cali so we did this year round. I miss it. On one of our walks back in 2022 we finally saw a Tarantula. The name is no joke, this little thing was crossing the pavement lol
A quick nice cardio to get on the top and enjoy 360 views of rolling hills and beautiful Thousand Oaks. Oh, there are gorgeous beautiful Oak trees here.
I've been "hiking" here for years- never seen a tarantula which is a bummer, but for real if you need a solid but quick workout with an awesome view to enjoy when you get to the top- this is one of the best places in T.O. to get it 💛
Nice little short walk that gets the heart pumping. Paved road. Very easy. This time of year there's lots of flowers and all the hills are green. I highly recommend it.
Trail conditions & character
“Combine a hike up and down Tarantula Hill with a circuit around the trails in the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden for a nice workout!”
“A quick nice cardio to get on the top and enjoy 360 views of rolling hills and beautiful Thousand Oaks.”
“Its mostly an access road to a water tower, so the path is paved the whole way.”
“The trail is also paved so make sure its not too hot on a sunny day for dogs.”
“There is a lot of street parking on either side.”
Plan your run at Tarantula Hill
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- 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
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Thousand Oaks
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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Conejo Creek North Park
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