more stats
2.4 miles
Distance
322 ft
Climb
-1,781 ft
Descent
00:32:59
Avg time
-1,460 ft
Altitude change
2,724 ft
Altitude min
4,203 ft
Altitude max
4,199 ft
Altitude start
2,740 ft
Altitude end
-11.378%
Grade
-68.983%
Grade max
43.959%
Grade min
2,618 ft
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
274 ft
Distance flat
00:32:59
Avg time

Trabuco Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Cleveland National Forest
    Mission Viejo, California
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Local Popularity
    5 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #142197 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #309094 in Trail Running
    • #295819 in Hiking
  • State Ranking
    #5,351 in Mountain Biking · California [+]
    • #12,864 in Trail Running
    • #12,978 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Season
    Jan-Dec
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • Land Owner
    United States Forest Service

Singletrack trail that has a lot of loose rock in the middle part. the upper part is still fairly loose, but is also in the trees. Can be used as a climb or a downhill.

Access Info

From Holy jim parking lot: follow the road that continues up to the right. go over the bar across the single track at the next parking area. follow that single track until you see a sign for west horse their and trabuco. take the trabuco split. It will take you up to the main divide. From main divide: trabuco starts just to the right of the bar across the los pinos trail.

Tags
Loose

Trail Supporters

Local Trail Association

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 0 rides
  •  
All
  • 7 rides
  • Last: Jun 20, 2006
update trails status or condition

Trabuco Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Aug 26, 2025 @ 8:58pm
Aug 26, 2025
Trail is closed as a result of the September 8 2024 Airport Fire
Apr 7, 2024 @ 7:35pm
Apr 7, 2024
 Lotsa Poison OAK, trail closed still, no time for re opening
Apr 8, 2023 @ 9:12pm
Apr 8, 2023
 04/01/2023 Trail remains CLOSED due to the Holy Jim Fire 2018. Trail is heavily damaged to non existent due to debris and water flows from 4 years...
Dec 22, 2021 @ 12:33pm
Dec 22, 2021
Trail still closed as of Dec 21, 2021
Apr 21, 2021 @ 1:20pm
Apr 21, 2021
 reporter Remains closed due to Holy Fire until October 2021
more »
Status:
on Aug 26, 2025
Avg: 3.99 (4 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (131)
close
      Directions to trabuco trailhead (33.671450, -117.460200)
      View on Discover Map 3D Tour

      Photos

      1 more »
      mtb
      356 |
      May 30, 2015 @ 2:34pm
      May 30, 2015

      Videos

      5 more »
      Socal Mtb
      mtb
      2:13 | 215 | Jan 22, 2016 , Mission Viejo
      Orange county mtb
      mtb
      2:00 | 201 | Jan 22, 2016 , Mission Viejo
      Ripping some local steeps
      mtb
      0:50 | 405 | Jan 21, 2016 , Mission Viejo
      Mid-Section of W. Horsethief
      mtb
      2:37 | 110 | Jan 27, 2012 , Mission Viejo

      Routes with this trail

      more »
      5
      Yeager Mesa Lollipop
      ★ 4.0 • 20 miles • 4,031 ft • 8 • Loop •
      The loop consists of about 4,500 feet of climbing with several Hike-A-Bike sections. The whole loop will...
      5
      Trabuco / Yeager Loop
      ★ 5.0 • 9 miles • 2,956 ft • 8 • Loop •
      2-4 hour loop of one of the steepest trails in Southern California
      15
      Holy Jim/Trabuco Loop
      ★ 4.0 • 26 miles • 4,697 ft • 2 • Loop •
      Great loop in the Santa Ana's. Best done clockwise but either direction is possible.
      4.0 ★★★★★
      4 Ratings
      5 ★ 25%
      4 ★ 50%
      3 ★ 25%
      2 ★
      1 ★

      1 Review & Comments


      We hope you've been enjoying Trailforks!

      Create a FREE account to view all trail reviews and much more.

      Create a Free Account

      Nearby Trails

      Cleveland National Forest

      • By iamenduro14 & contributors
      • #30410 - 2,883 views

      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is Trabuco located?
      Trabuco is located in Cleveland National Forest, Mission Viejo, California, United States. It is part of the Cleveland National Forest trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 33.67145, -117.4602.
      ▼ How hard is Trabuco?
      Trabuco is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Hard. The average grade is 11.378%. The climb difficulty is rated Black Diamond.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for Trabuco?
      Trabuco has 322 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 1,781 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 2,724 ft to 4,203 ft.
      ▼ Is Trabuco a point to point trail?
      Trabuco is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ How long is Trabuco?
      Trabuco is 2.4 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on Trabuco?
      Yes, dogs are allowed on Trabuco. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
      ▼ When is the best time of year to ride Trabuco?
      Trabuco is best visited during: Jan-Dec.
      ▼ How do I access Trabuco? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to Trabuco are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to ride Trabuco?
      The estimated time to ride Trabuco is approximately 33 minutes. The trail is 2.4 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace.
      ▼ How busy is Trabuco?
      Trabuco is a less popular trail with lighter traffic. There have been 137 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 131 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

      Hit the Trail

      Open in App

      Get this trail on your phone instantly.
      open trail in app

      Download Trail

      Save to wishlist, Garmin & download.
      save the trail

      Find Related Routes

      Find routes and users activities that include this trail.
      find routes for this trail

      You must enter a description before submitting.