Alambique Loop Trail

Dogs No Dogs

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If you are looking for a a quick run that the family will enjoy, this is one of the shorter loops in Wunderlich Park. The trail departs the parking lot and climbs up into the park behind the Folger Stables via the Loop Trail. The trail runs through a new growth forest of eucalyptus trees, oaks and redwoods.

There are not too many views along this trail, but the shade makes it a nice run, even in the middle of the day. At the intersection with the Alambique Trail, take a left and descend more steeply back down to the stables.

Families frequent these trails in the evening as they make an easy loop. It's just long enough to get your heart rate up, but not so far that you need to bring extra water or food. It can be completed in about an hour, even if slowed by children.

As you approach the end of the trail, horses housed on the estate can be seen below the trail. The trail returns to the parking lots, where picnic tables and restrooms welcome you back to the beginning of the run.

The park is open at 8 am every day, but the closing time varies on the time of year.

December - February: 5:00 P.M.
March: 6:00 P.M. (before Daylight Savings Time starts)
March: 7:00 P.M. (after Daylight Savings Time starts)
April - August: 8:00 P.M.
September: 8:00 P.M. (through Labor Day)
September: 7:00 P.M. (beginning the day after Labor Day)
October: 7:00 P.M. (first week[s] of October)
October: 6:00 P.M. (last three weeks of October)
November: 6:00 P.M. (before Daylight Saving Time ends)
November: 5:00 P.M. (after Daylight Saving Time ends)

The trail is relatively free from obstacles, making it a nice, short trail for a quick evening or morning run.

The Loop Trail departs from the Folger Stable area of Wunderlich Park. Run between the Folger Stable and the Carriage House and follow the service/fire road as it breaks off to the left and begins climbing into the park. You'll pass a couple of horse pens and some RVs before going past a gate that keeps cars from continuing further up the hill. The trail turns to gravel at this point, but is doubletrack which makes for easy running with friends. Cutting back to the left, the trail changes into a dirt trail as it climbs through the wooded hillside.

At roughly 0.3 miles, the trail bisects the Bear Gulch Trail (an alternative way of accessing the trail) and enters into an area of ferns and second growth redwoods. As you continue, the redwoods fade and eucalyptus trees become more predominant as the woods open up a little bit and you get glimpses of Stanford off to the left. You can see the Dish and the Hoover Tower at various points along the trail as it gradually ascends the hillside.

At roughly 0.9 miles, the trail begins to run parallel to the Alambique Trail until the two eventually intersect. Take a left and begin your descent down the Alambique Trail. The trail descends more steeply now as the trail makes its way back to the parking lot. You might catch a glimpse of the South Bay, but most of the trail is is shaded by the forest around you. At roughly 1.8 miles, you arrive back at the stables and the parking lot.

Deer and turkeys can be seen feeding in the park early in the morning or toward sunset. In the spring time, flowers bloom along the trails. Redwood trees, eucalyptus tress, and California oak trees can be found throughout the park.