Main Trail

The Main Trail is a 10 mile loop with zero elevation gain along the 134 freeway and Interstate 5. We begin at the Los Feliz entrance where the Pony Rides (RIP ponies) used to be. From that train ride area we run to the Forest Lawn entrance to the other train ride area, and back again. Freeway noise and horse poop. It’s not for most people. However… flat. So there’s that.

The Parking – Remember the pony rides right off of Los Feliz Blvd. off of Crystal Spring Drive? You can still do the train ride there and that parking lot is the perfect lot to being this trail. Decent bathrooms, water fountains. The snack bar serves burgers and stuff. Easily 50 paved spots

However, you can park in any parking area along this route and there are a dozen areas. All free. Zoo parking is free. Travel Town parking is free. There are spots all along Zoo Drive where you can just pull to the side. .

The Best Thing – The flatness. If you are pushing a stroller or trying out a new hip, this is a rare 10 miles of continuous flat.

The Route – We are running from the ex-pony ride/ Southern Train Ride area to the Travel Town Train Ride area near Forest Lawn and back again. You can flip it. I’m not your mom. But for now just listen up. Geeze.

Get to the north end of the parking lot. Past the Cafe and the virtual reality ride-pod-thing you will see a large horse trail with the big railings and everything. This starts you along Interstate 5.

The next 2.5 miles will be between the freeway and Crystal Springs Drive. There is a horse tunnel on your right in less than 1 mile that connects to a bridge across the LA river over to Atwater Village. It’s interesting. Go check it out once. That should be enough for most people.

Continuing on you will pass the golf course to your left. You will pass behind the Gene Autry Museum but don’t look for any signs. They don’t put signs between their behind, horses behinds, your behind – and the freeway.

When you can see the zoo across the street to your left you are no longer between Crystal Springs and The 5, you are now between Zoo Drive and The 134 freeway.

Continue for 2 more miles and you will reach a large horse tunnel to your right that connects with the Burbank Equestrian Center. Pass that and circle around the horse training ring to your left. This will take you under Forest Lawn Drive (Last poopy horse tunnel. I promise.) where you are now across the street from Travel Town.

Cross the street and for half a mile you are running on asphalt in the bike lane on the road back the way you came. Don’t think of it as “road-running”, think of it as “racing the choo-choo trains.” Funner, right?

Now you are returning along the 134 and then the 5 until you reach the golf course. (Now on your right, ’cause you turned around, get it?) Take the horse trail toyour right before the golf course and you will now go run along Crystal Springs Drive and the Golf Course. If you are wearing your sexy running gear, this is a good place to show off to all of the “car drivers” and “afraid to exercisers”. Continue to round the Golf course on your left and you will hit the Main Trail once again.

Turn right and in little over 1 mile you will arrive at the ex-pony & cafe parking area. 10ish miles. Boom.