Bandit Loop

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Drops/Jumps · Views

Perfect Aliso Woods sampler for the intermediate rider that connects West Ridge Trail, Park Avenue Trail, Meadows Trail and Wood Canyon Trail and Coyote Run Trail for 10.6 miles and 1,400' elevation gain. Lots of steep inclines and downhills with minimal technical features and a few fun downhills.

Start near Canyon View Park, with plenty of parking along Canyon Vistas or in the surrounding neighborhoods if the street is full.

If facing the park from the street, go to the bottom of the hill and into the neighborhood. Take a left on Silkwood, and then a right on Bottlebrush. Take Bottlebrush up to Hollyleaf and make a left. Take Hollyleaf to the end where it turns into a dirt trail called West Ridge Trail.

West Ridge Trail is a fire road that goes along the ridge, with some occasional steep slopes. If the weather is clear, you can see views of the ocean at certain peaks. Follow this trail along the ridge, about two miles until you get to Top of the World, where you'll eventually travel onto the street and through the neighborhoods. Continue straight until the road appears to dead end and follow the trail (steep paved downhill, then back up the other side) until you reach dirt again. Continue forward and you'll find Meadows Trail on your left.

Meadows Trail is known to be "one of the most used trails at Aliso." It's packed dirt and well maintained, so expect a smoother ride with more flowy switchback sections and less technical features. Be aware that it is, however, pretty steep–one of the steepest (and most fun) sections of this entire loop. Keep alert for two-way traffic and hikers, although this is known to be more of a downhill singletrack. Once you get through the never-ending turns, you'll eventually dead end at Wood Canyon Trail, which you'll turn left on for a slow and easy incline back toward the parking area.

Don't forget to detour onto Coyote Run Trail about one mile up on the left side, at the bottom of Mathis Canyon Trail. It's a slight incline with some short and steep sections. Stay on your toes, this trail is used in both directions with some blind, tight turns. This trail runs parallel to Wood Canyon Trail for a mile or so, before eventually joining back up to it to continue your easy ascent back to the car.