Get Off The Treadmill and On To The Trail

Why stay inside on the treadmill when you could be outside enjoying the beautiful sun and sights of San Diego County? With a few clicks on the internet, you can easily find some stunning spots to enjoy a trail run and spice up your routine a bit.

Here are just a few that SD PERSONAL TRAINER can recommend.

Cowles Mountain

This short, sleep climb in the tallest mountain in San Diego. The trail is popular with runners, as well as hikers and reaches 950 feet in one and a half miles. The well maintained trail has wooden steps in some places and is very well marked for distances. There is plenty of free parking at the bottom of the hill, as well as restrooms. Cowles Mountain is very popular and rangers are concerned with erosion to the hillside, so they ask that you remain on the trail. There can be quite a bit of hiking traffic at times, so make sure to keep an eye out for others.

Torrey Pines Preserve

The scenery along this coastal trail is undeniably some of the best you will find anywhere. It is a combination of dirt trails, pavement and sandy beaches – sure to provide the challenges you will need! The area is the primary habitat for the Torrey pine which is found only at these coastal bluffs near Del Mar and Santa Rosa Island.

Blue Sky Preserve

This is a 700 acre ecological preserve near Poway. It is also used for nature education and habitat preservation, but also provides excellent opportunities for fitness challenges. Motorized vehicles, as well as mountain bikes are banned, so you don’t have to any traffic to watch out for – just lace up your trail running shoes and enjoy the sights and sounds around you. There are frequent wildlife sightings, so you will be sure to come back with a story or two.

Carrizo Badlands

Carrizo Badlands are located in southern Anza Borrego Desert State park and is some of the most bizarre terrain in San Diego County. There are some excellent examples of erosion, sandstone and mudstones. The roads are made of soft packed sand and are easy on the knees. The clay hills, mud caves and arches provide a variety of scenery.

Daley Ranch

There are more than twenty miles of trails for hikers, runners and walkers on this huge ranch. It is a former cattle ranch and dairy found north of Escondido but is now a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.