Hey Substack commmunity, Happy Monday! It was another unusually wet weekend in California for this time of year, hopefully you all had the opportunity to hit the trails regardless and got some miles in!
Here's a trail run you don't want to miss in North County San Diego, Elfin Forest. Literally a hidden gem with a touch of magic, Elfin Forest resides between inland North County and the coast of San Diego, tucked away alongside Escondido Creek. Nestled in the Harmony Grove area, Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve is a beautiful trail system that boasts stunning views of North County San Diego and is a zone worth the visit. The most commonly run trail is the Way Up trail which we've filmed here, beginning at the Elfin Forest Interpretive Center. The Way Up trail quickly climbs the northern flanks of Elfin Forest, topping out at Olivenhain Reservoir. Most of the trails at Elfin Forest are an out and back, just like the Way Up trail, which we've chosen here that takes you out to the Lake Hodges Overlook. All together this run was around 6.5 miles with roughly 1,400' feet of elevation gain. While the scenery that surrounds Elfin Forest is well worth the drive, the trail itself is steep in may sections and rocky, so opening it up can be tough at times. Regardless, Elfin Forest is an incredible area to go for a run so make sure to check it out if you haven't already.
Make sure to check out our Trail Running GPX page so you can download the route and upload it to your watch or phone. This GPX page will be a continuous work in progress so make sure to take advantage of the GPX files we already have posted and be sure to check back weekly as we continue to update the page.
Also, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube @CirqueRunning to keep up to date with all of our latest trail running edits. Enjoy this short video of the Way Up trail in Elfin Forest!
Cirque Running's other sites and media channels
Website: cirquerunning.com
GPX Files: Trail Running GPX Files
Coaching: cirquerunning.com/coaching
Instagram: @cirquerunning
Facebook: Cirque Running
Run Gear List
Ridge Merino Pursuit Merino Wool Tee
Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts 5"
Patagonia Duckbill Cap
Suunto Race Titanium
Raide Research LF 2L Running Belt
Hoka Tecton X3 Limited Edition
Goodr sunglasses
Cirque Running’s mission is to inspire our trail running community through elevated retreats and professional coaching, with certified UESCA ultrarunning coaches. We’re Trail Runners, Mountain Guides, Educators, Coaches and Stewards of the Sierra and California, and we want to share these remarkable places with all those seeking natural abundance in the Range of Light and beyond.
Share this post