KNOW YOUR COURSE
Knowledge Empowers Your Race.
The VALENCIA Trail Race features three distances—10K, Half Marathon, and 50K Ultra—each designed to showcase the rugged beauty and challenging terrain of Valencia’s hills and trails.
These courses pack in serious elevation, from 1,200+ feet on the 10K to over 5,300+ feet on the 50K Ultra. Training for these climbs ahead of time will help you feel confident and ready to take on the challenge.
Below, you’ll find course maps, elevation profiles, and detailed route descriptions. Taking a few minutes to learn your course now will help you understand the climbs, descents, and key sections before race day—so you can arrive prepared, run smart, and stay fully focused on delivering your best performance. Knowing what’s ahead lets you settle in, enjoy the scenery, and make the most of an unforgettable trail experience.
QUICK LINKS
JUMP TO COURSE.
THE ORANGE ROUTE
10K. A GOOD CHALLENGE.
10K runners will complete the ORANGE 10K loop. From the start, all runners will climb a 500-foot elevation gain to get up into the mountain trails reaching station #1 and begin the course loop. 10K runners simply follow the 10K course around from stations #1, to #4, then again to #4, and returning back to station #1, finally heading back to the finish line.
*Readings on elevation gain/descent vary across all platforms and devices.
Mobile phone users, please rotate to landscape mode to properly view tabel below.
10K runners will visit a total of 4 aid stations through the course. Below shows the sequence and approximate mile mark for each station on the 10K course.
| STATION | MILE* | NOTES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Start | 0 | Start ORANGE course |
| 2. | Station #1 | 1.1 | Hairpin turn at the top |
| 3. | Station #4 | 1.8 | After reaching Tapia Canyon peak first time, follow the Stars & Stripes trail to left (the station is just past the trail entrance). *NOTE: It is approximately 3.2 miles gap until you return to this station, recommend hydrating and refueling before departing. |
| 4. | Station #4 | 5 | Tapia Canyon peak, by power tower, go right then left the trail to #1 |
| 5. | Station #1 | 5.4 | Zigzag turn, head back to the big hill going down |
| 6. | Finish | 6.5 | Finish Line |
*Approximate mile-mark distances.
Stations will contain water, Gnarly Sports Nutrition Hydrate(opens in new tab), or Fuel2O electrolytes, GU gels and chomps, salt capsules, and various sweet and salty foods. Some stations will have fresh fruit and foods along with ice buckets if the weather is warm. Items will vary from station to station. Other essential items include a first aid kit, ice packs, and toilet paper. This is a cupless race. You are required to run with a collapsible cup, a runner's bottle, or a hydration pack. You can refill them at each station with water and electrolytes.
View interactive maps on Google or HelloDrifter, or download GPS files below. The GPS files are in XML format. Once you click the button below, save the file to your computer or device, then load it into your chosen destination.
THE ORANGE + BLUE ROUTE
HALF MARATHON. THE SWEET SPOT.
2026 HALF MARATHON COURSE UPDATES
Two changes have been made to the Half Marathon section for the 2026 race.
- First: Station #6 has been moved to the top of the access road after coming out of the canyon.
- Second: Station #3 has been removed from the race.
Each course is a loop with longer distances breaking off at specific points to extend the distance from the previous loop. All runners will complete the ORANGE 10K loop, Half Marathon will also complete the BLUE loop. From the start, all runners will climb a 500-foot elevation gain to get up into the mountain trails reaching station #1 and begin the course loops.
Half Marathon runners will follow the 10K loop to station #4, then go LEFT to begin following the BLUE loop to station #5, then station #6, then returning getting back on the section of the ORANGE loop to complete the BLUE loop coming back to station #4 (third time here), from this point now continue the remainder of the ORANGE loop going back to station #1 and the finish line.
*Readings on elevation gain/descent vary across all platforms and devices.
Mobile phone users, please rotate to landscape mode to properly view tabel below.
Half Marathon runners will visit a total of 7 aid stations through the course. Below shows the sequence and approximate mile mark for each station on the Half Marathon course.
| STATION | MILE* | NOTES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Start | 0 | Start ORANGE course |
| 2. | Station #1 | 1.1 | Hairpin turn at the top |
| 3. | Station #4 | 1.8 | After reaching Tapia Canyon peak first time, follow the Stars & Stripes trail to left (the station is just past the trail entrance). *NOTE: It is approximately 3.2 miles gap until you return to this station, recommend hydrating and refueling before departing. |
| 4. | Station #4 | 5 | Tapia Canyon peak, go under power tower to start BLUE course |
| 5. | Station #5 | 6 | Fireroad fork, go left horseshoe turn to trail |
| 6. | Station #6 | 9.3 | After a long canyon section and climbing to the top of the access road |
| 7. | Station #4 | 11.6 | Tapia Canyon peak, by power tower, continue on ORANGE course go right, then left trail to #1 |
| 8. | Station #1 | 12 | Zig zag turn, head back to the big hill |
| 9. | Finish | 13.1 | Finish Line |
*Approximate mile-mark distances.
Stations will contain water, Gnarly Sports Nutrition Hydrate(opens in new tab), or Fuel2O electrolytes, GU gels and chomps, salt capsules, and various sweet and salty foods. Some stations will have fresh fruit and foods along with ice buckets if the weather is warm. Items will vary from station to station. Other essential items include a first aid kit, ice packs, and toilet paper. This is a cupless race. You are required to run with a collapsible cup, a runner's bottle, or a hydration pack. You can refill them at each station with water and electrolytes.
View interactive maps on Google or HelloDrifter, or download GPS files below. The GPS files are in XML format. Once you click the button below, save the file to your computer or device, then load it into your chosen destination.
THE ORANGE + BLUE + PURPLE ROUTE
50K ULTRA. THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE.
2026 50K COURSE UPDATES
Three major changes have been made to the 50K section for the 2026 race.
- First: The out-and-back section after station #8 on Dry Gulch Road has been added back onto the course. For 2026, this road is closed to traffic, thus making it safe for the race.
- This means you will hit station #8 twice. Station #8 will still be your gear drop spot.
- Second: The second out-and-back section from Station #7 has been removed.
- Third: Station #6 has been moved to the top of the access road after coming out of the canyon, and Station #3 has been removed from the race.
These changes mean the 50K course will now be 30.7 miles, and runners will hit a total of 15 stations during the race.
Each course is a loop with longer distances breaking off at specific points to extend the distance from the previous loop. All 50K runners will complete the ORANGE 10K loop, the BLUE Half Marathon loop, and the PURPLE (YELLOW flagging) 50K course. From the start, all runners will climb a 500-foot elevation gain to get up into the mountain trails reaching station #1 and begin the course loops.
50K and Half Marathon runners will follow the 10K loop to station #4, then go LEFT to begin following the BLUE loop to station #5, then station #6, then station #3, then returning getting back onto a section of the ORANGE loop to complete the BLUE loop coming back to station #4 (second time here).
Now 50K runners take the LEFT fork to begin the PURPLE LOOP (YELLOW flagging) going to station #5 and take the RIGHT going towards the large 3-way intersection, go RIGHT at station #7 and complete a U-TURN back to the 3-way intersection, now go right towards station #8, from take the paved road RIGHT to complete a U-TURN and go back to #8, then heading back to #7 at the 3-way intersection go FORWARD towards station #5 (third time here) and #4 (third time here) to complete the PURPLE course, from this point now continue the remainder of the ORANGE loop going back to station #1 and the finish line.
50K ultra course is approximately 50/50 trail and fire access road.
CUT-OFF: There is a 7-hour (at 1:15 PM) cut-off when reaching station #8 the second time, after returning from the U-turn, at the approximate 22.5-mile mark.
*Readings on elevation gain/descent vary across all platforms and devices.
Mobile phone users, please rotate to landscape mode to properly view tabel below.
50K ultra runners will visit a total of 15 aid stations through the course. Below shows the sequence and approximate mile mark for each station on the 50K ultra course.
| STATION | MILE* | NOTES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Start | 0 | Start ORANGE course |
| 2. | Station #1 | 1.1 | Hairpin turn at the top, follow the trail to left |
| 3. | Station #4 | 1.8 | After reaching Tapia Canyon peak first time, follow the Stars & Stripes trail to left (the station is just past the trail entrance). *NOTE: It is approximately 3.2 miles gap until you return to this station, recommend hydrating and refueling before departing. |
| 4. | Station #4 | 5 | Tapia Canyon peak, go by power tower to start BLUE course |
| 5. | Station #5 | 6 | Fireroad fork, go left horseshoe turn to trail towards the rainbow bench |
| 6. | Station #6 | 9.3 | Coming out of the long canyon section, go left climb up |
| 7. | Station #4 | 11.6 | Tapia Canyon peak, by power tower, start the PURPLE course (YELLOW flagging) going left by power towers |
| 8. | Station #5 | 12.6 | Fireroad fork, go right |
| 9. | Station #7 | 14.7 | 3-way fork, go right to u-turn |
| 10. | Station #7 | 16.8 | Return from u-turn to reach station #7, go right |
| 11. | Station #8 | 20.3 | Dry Gulch Road, when going on paved road to u-turn. Gear drop station |
| 12. | Station #8 | 22.5 | After completing paved road from u-turn, head back to #7. Gear drop station |
| 13. | Station #7 | 26.1 | 3-way fork, go forward to #5 |
| 14. | Station #5 | 28 | Fireroad fork, go left back to #4 |
| 15. | Station #4 | 29 | Tapia Canyon peak, go left to #1 |
| 16. | Station #1 | 29.6 | Zig zag turn, head back to the big hill |
| 17. | Finish | 30.7 | Finish Line |
*Approximate mile-mark distances.
Stations will contain water, Gnarly Sports Nutrition Hydrate(opens in new tab), or Fuel2O electrolytes, GU gels and chomps, salt capsules, and various sweet and salty foods. Some stations will have fresh fruit and foods along with ice buckets if the weather is warm. Items will vary from station to station. Other essential items include a first aid kit, ice packs, and toilet paper. This is a cupless race. You are required to run with a collapsible cup, a runner's bottle, or a hydration pack. You can refill them at each station with water and electrolytes.
View interactive maps on Google or HelloDrifter, or download GPS files below. The GPS files are in XML format. Once you click the button below, save the file to your computer or device, then load it into your chosen destination.
COURSE MARKINGS
FLAGS & SIGNS.
The course will be marked with colored flags and flagging tape that match the course map colors, along with directional arrows. Follow your colors, and you won't get lost.
COLOR SEQUENCE.
- 10K = ORANGE ONLY
- HALF MARATHON = ORANGE > BLUE > ORANGE
- 50K ULTRA = ORANGE > BLUE > PURPLE (YELLOW) > ORANGE
In addition to flagging, there will be directional signs and stations at key locations to help make sure you turn in the right direction. Study the map colors for your distance and then follow those colors at the race!
NOTE: For the 50K race, we are using YELLOW flagging tape on the 50K course instead of purple for better visibility.
COURSE ACCESS
GET TO THE TRAILHEAD.
Many runners like to train and preview the course route before race day. While much of the course takes place on private property, it is accessible to the public to run. Simply follow these guidelines:
- Park on the San Francisquito Canyon Road shoulder near the entrance to the race staging area.
- DO NOT drive onto any resident's property. They are private property, and there is NO PUBLIC PARKING away from the San Francisquito Canyon Road shoulder.
- DO NOT disturb any residents.
- When parking, DO NOT block any trash cans, mailboxes, or driveways.
- Hide all valuables and lock your car.
- Hike in towards the event staging area, cross the creek bed (sometimes with water flowing), then follow the trailhead.
Important Notes.
- It is recommended to open the Google Maps course link on your phone's Google Maps app or load the course GPS file into your preferred app.
- Pack extra water and fuel. There is no access or amenities once you are on the trails.
- Do not litter. Pack out your trash.
- Sometimes in the Winter/Spring seasons, the creek will be flowing, and you'll have to get your feet wet to get to the trailhead.
- These trails are popular with local mountain bikers. Be aware and listen for them coming up behind you. They can come very fast! Step aside to allow them to pass.
- Be respectful and share the trails with others.
- Remember not to disturb any residents.
CUPLESS RACE
BRING YOUR OWN CUP.
KEEP THE TRAILS GREEN.
We've eliminated disposable cups at aid stations. Bring a collapsible cup, bottle, or hydration pack and refill on course. One more way we keep these hills beautiful for the next ten years.
To help you prepare, we have compiled a list of essential items, recommendations, and helpful product links.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
PROUD SUPPORTERS MAKE AN EPIC EXPERIENCE.
Welcome race sponsors & partners. We are currently accepting sponsor applications for the race, learn more.
