Wood Canyon Trail – Cave Rock loop from Soka University of America

Running trails & routes

Wood Canyon Trail – Cave Rock loop from Soka University of America

Hard

4.9

(9731)

19,678

runners

Wood Canyon Trail – Cave Rock loop from Soka University of America

02:30

20.7km

180m

Running

Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 7, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

2.93 km

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

Highlight • Natural

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park includes over 4,500 acres of untouched wilderness and natural areas. A lot of the "roads" in the park are smooth double-track paths, and there is a fair bit of singletrack as well. This is a great place to bring the gravel bike if you're comfortable on a number of surfaces.

Tip by

3.84 km

Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

Highlight • Forest

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park encompasses 4,500 acres of different natural ecosystems. The trails winding through the park are hard-packed and great for running, and every few hundred meters feels so different compared to the prior miles.

Tip by

6.50 km

Wood Creek Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

There is a small wooden bridge here that provides access over Wood Creek below.

Tip by

6.52 km

Wood Creek Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This trail parallels the Wood Canyon Trail from across the creek. At the northern end of the trail you will find an overlook.

Tip by

7.86 km

Wood Canyon Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This is a beautiful gravel road though the canyon bottom that climbs gently and offers lots of shady spots.

Tip by

12.3 km

Cave Rock

Highlight • Cave

Cave Rock, per the title, is a small cave inside a large rock formation. The official trail runs across the top of the cave, but if you hop on the dirt path running parallel, there is a side trail that goes past the cave opening and rejoins the main trail.

Tip by

15.1 km

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

Highlight • Natural

There is a large packed dirt parking lot here with restrooms by the trailhead. The park charges a $3 fee. From here you have access to the trails along Aliso Creek, and you can head south to connect to the trail system around Dripping Cave and Cave Rock.

Tip by

17.3 km

Laguna Niguel Lake (Sulphur Creek Reservoir)

Highlight • Lake

Laguna Niguel Lake, formerly known as Sulphur Creek Reservoir, is a 44-acre recreational lake that was created by the Sulphur Creek Dam. The fee to access the park and lake is $3 on weekdays, $5 on weekends, and $7 on holidays.

Tip by