Del Dios Gorge 13 mile Trail Run

There is a little known trail to runners that travels along the South West side of Lake Hodges. To get there start your run at Hernandez Hideaway on Lakeshore Drive. There is a dirt parking area across from the hidden Mexican restaurant and you can park there.

Head Southwest on single track trail winding along the lake. You will soon come out to a gravel road. Follow the gravel road to Del Dios Highway and you will emerge onto a gravel trail along the road before making a left back onto the main trail. You will now run down into Del Dios Gorge eventually passing the dam and crossing a footbridge back to the other side. Follow this trail that parallels Del Dios Highway. You will soon come to Rancho Santa Fe Golf Course on your left and a series of descending switchbacks. Take these switchbacks down then back up the other side coming to the top of the ridge. At the top you will be under power lines with a stable on your left. You can turn around and backtrack at this point for a total of 13 miles.

There is an option to extend the run and I will be posting this in the future but if you want to try to figure it out yourself here is what you do. When you get to the top of the ridge go left past the stables and you will shortly come to a concrete road. At the concrete road make a left and cross the street looking for a trailhead on the other side and up the road a very short distance. This trail can take you all the way into Black Mountain.

Del Dios Gorge 13 mile Trail Run – Map

See Interactive Map of Route Here

Del Dios Gorge 13 mile Trail Run