I ended up at the Natoma Loop Trail in Woodland Hills because I wanted something different from the desert. Lately, the wind in the Antelope Valley has been nonstop. I found myself in Woodland Hills, and even though it was hot, I thought, well, why not a hike? When did I become this way, that I’m hiking in 90 degrees HA! So we picked the Natoma Loop Trail. I didn’t know much about it other than it was a shorter loop with a decent climb.As the name suggests, Woodland Hills is a beautiful area.
About Natoma Loop Trail
Natoma Loop is a shorter loop trail in Woodland Hills with a mix of fire road and some singletrack. It’s not super technical, but it does have a few steady climbs that will get your attention. You’ll need a good pair of shoes to hike, they probably don’t need to be a trail shoe but that would be better.
The hike itself starts in a pretty affluent neighborhood and gives you a lot of great views. Like most trails in this area, there isn’t a ton of shade. You’re pretty exposed for a lot of it, so weather is important and it was fairly hot when we went. Luckily, we brought plenty of water. It’s multi-use, so you’ll see hikers, runners, and mountain bikers. We saw a couple of other hikers, an influencer taking photos, and someone maintaining the trail.
Natoma Loop Trail Trailhead Address
4180 North Natoma Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
Quick Facts
- Trail Name: Natoma Loop Trail
- Location: Thousand Oaks, California
- Distance: 1–5 miles
- Elevation Gain: ~600 feet
- Route Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Fire road + some singletrack
- Best Time to Go: Morning or evening (very exposed)
- Dog Friendly: Yes (on leash)
- Parking: Street parking nearby
My Experience at Natoma Loop Trail
We got there around 2:00 pm on a Saturday, and there was no one else in the parking lot. It was on the warmer side (around 90 degrees). It was hot the entire time, and like I mentioned, there is almost no shade.
The first part for the Natoma Loop Trail of the loop is pretty gradual, but then it gets steep. Nothing unmanageable, though. There were parts that were overgrown, which I was cautious about snakes since it was more than warm enough for them. There are good views along the way though. I appreciate that Woodland Hills has some great views.
The footing is what you’d expect. Dry, a little dusty. It is pretty standard for Southern California especially in the greater Los Angeles area. We decided to walk over a ridge which led us down into the neighborhood. By the end, I was definitely feeling the sun. We decided to make a giant loop and head over a ridge and then back through the neighborhood. It was actually really fun to check out some of the houses there. Our entire hike at the Natoma Loop Trail was just under 3 miles.
Would I Go Back to Natoma Loop Trail?
Yeah, probably. The Natoma Loop Trail is not a destination trail, but it’s solid if you’re in the area. It has great views, and it’s peaceful. I wouldn’t drive super far just for this trail, but I would for sure be back if I was in the area. You can also connect to several different other trails in the area, so if you are looking for possible long run ideas, it’s a great option.
You can see more trail runs and hikes here or view Strava here.
Questions for You
Have you run or hiked the Natoma Loop?
Do you prefer shorter loops like this or longer out-and-backs?