{"id":16541,"date":"2026-08-18T23:28:51","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T23:28:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=16541"},"modified":"2026-08-18T23:28:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T23:28:51","slug":"6-great-trail-running-loops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=16541","title":{"rendered":"6 Great Trail Running Loops"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"justify-start\">\n<nav class=\"align-left col-span-full mb-base\" data-pom-e2e-test-id=\"breadcrumbs\"\/>\n<p>Experience amazing scenery and terrain on routes for every runner <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/p>\n<p class=\"fp-leadCaption py-tight text-left font-utility text-utility3-size leading-utility3-line-height text-secondary\"> (Photo: Brooks)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-body\">\n<p>Published August 18, 2026 04:47PM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Trail running is easy to love. You tap into the body-and-soul benefits of exercise in the outdoors, and on the best routes you move through some of the country\u2019s most breathtaking scenery. And on the best of the best, you do it on a loop trail and experience new sights the whole way around. Ready to find your favorite? Start with this collection of loops for every type of runner in key spots across the country, and find more top routes in this comprehensive guide. And wherever you run and whatever conditions you encounter, take on any trail with the Brooks <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brooksrunning.com\/en_us\/featured\/trail-running-collection\/?tid=dis:Outside:H2T:Custom-Article:USA:na:na:mct_cascadia20_apparel\">Cascadia Collection<\/a>\u2014and experience the force of nature.<\/p>\n<h2>Elks-Kings Loop, Tillamook State Forest, OR<\/h2>\n<h4>9.8 miles<\/h4>\n<p>Ready to test yourself <i>and<\/i> your gear? This rugged, rocky route tags both Elk Mountain and King Mountain, traversing exposed ridges and delivering big views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding peaks of the Cascades. With a total elevation gain of 3,600 feet, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_self\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.trailforks.com\/route\/elkskings-loop-elk-lake-campground-parking\/\">this run<\/a> makes for a memorable day that\u2019s equal parts stunning and challenging.<\/p>\n<h2>Three Fingered Jack, Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Oregon<\/h2>\n<h4>22.3 miles<\/h4>\n<p>This scenic loop through raw wilderness, connecting the Pacific Crest Trail with the Old Summit Trail in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, makes for a big (and beautiful) day. <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_self\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.trailforks.com\/route\/three-finger-jack-loop\/\">The route<\/a> encircles Three Fingered Jack, a 7,840-foot volcano, with epic views of surrounding peaks and valleys.<b\/><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2749552\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Three Fingered Jack\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1290\" height=\"630\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2749552\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imgi_211_finger-jack-gettyimages-489000720.jpg?width=1920&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x, https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imgi_211_finger-jack-gettyimages-489000720.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imgi_211_finger-jack-gettyimages-489000720.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Three Fingered Jack<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, La Jolla, California<\/h2>\n<h4>3.1 miles<\/h4>\n<p>Featuring a well-marked, 8-mile trail network that allows loop runs of various lengths, this coastal park is the perfect starter run in the San Diego area. The terrain is accessible and fun, and the colors are gorgeous: orange sandy trails, deep-green coastal sage and Torrey pines, and the vast blue of the Pacific Ocean below. A <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_self\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.trailforks.com\/route\/torrey-pines-beach-an-broken-hill\/\">3.1-mile loop<\/a> includes the Razor Point Trail, the Beach Trail, the Broken Hill Trail, and the South Fork Trail, with short out-and-backs to Razor and Lookout Points.<\/p>\n<h2>Hangover Trail, Sedona, Arizona<\/h2>\n<h4>8.2 miles<\/h4>\n<p>Experience the magical red-rock scenery of Sedona on this <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_self\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.trailforks.com\/route\/mjroutes-hangover-hike\/\">lollipop loop<\/a>. You\u2019ll pass under a rocky overhang (or \u201changover\u201d) for a tunnel-like experience before crossing an exposed, rocky slab between two spires. Like what you see? Sedona\u2019s network of trails makes it easy to explore far and wide.\u00a0<b><br \/><\/b><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2749554\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Hangover Trail\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1161\" height=\"567\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2749554\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imgi_50_gettyimages-1154390048-hangover-trail-1.png?width=1200&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x, https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imgi_50_gettyimages-1154390048-hangover-trail-1.png?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imgi_50_gettyimages-1154390048-hangover-trail-1.png?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Hangover Trail<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Wasatch Crest Trail, Salt Lake City, Utah<\/h2>\n<h4>12.6 miles<\/h4>\n<p>Get a bird\u2019s-eye view of Utah\u2019s iconic Wasatch Mountains from the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_self\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.trailforks.com\/route\/dog-lake-desolation-lake-crest-loop\">Dog Lake-Desolation Lake Crest Loop<\/a>. Expect wildflowers in summer, colorful fall leaves in autumn, and sparkling lakes in every season.<\/p>\n<h2>Green Mountain Loop, Boulder, Colorado<\/h2>\n<h4>4.6 miles<\/h4>\n<p>At 8,450 feet, Green Mountain is only the third-tallest peak in the Boulder foothills. But the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_self\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.trailforks.com\/route\/green-mountain-35635\/\">route to the summit<\/a>, with 2,351 feet of elevation gain and (mostly) runner-friendly grades, is a local favorite. Bonus: Atop a short, rocky scramble on the summit, a survey marker identifies all the Rocky Mountain peaks visible in the distance.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2749558\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Green Mountain Loop\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1032\" height=\"504\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2749558\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imgi_42_greenmountain-gettyimages-1154390048-han.png?width=1080&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x, https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imgi_42_greenmountain-gettyimages-1154390048-han.png?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imgi_42_greenmountain-gettyimages-1154390048-han.png?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Green Mountain Loop<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr\/>\n<p><i>Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Brooks makes performance running gear for runners everywhere. Propelled by a never\u2011ending curiosity with how humans move, Brooks designs gear to make every run, walk, and workout better than before. To learn more, visit<\/i> <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2300504&amp;s=2300498&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Frun.outsideonline.com%2Ftrail%2Fexpand-your-running-horizons-with-road-to-trail-routes%2F\"><i>BrooksRunning.com<\/i><\/a><i>.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><!-- --><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/adventure-travel\/destinations\/north-america\/perfect-circles-6-great-trail-running-loops\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Experience amazing scenery and terrain on routes for every runner (Photo: Brooks) Published August 18, 2026 04:47PM Trail running is easy to love. You tap into the body-and-soul benefits of exercise in the outdoors, and on the best routes you move through some of the country\u2019s most breathtaking scenery. And on the best of the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16542,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16541","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wild-living"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16541","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16541"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16541\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16542"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16541"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16541"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16541"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}