Few exercises offer payoffs as immediate as the one gleaned from hiking the trails that weave through Laguna Canyon ’ s wilderness . The trek can be taxing , but it ’ s the surrounding elements that promote health nearly as much as the charging movements of the leg and gluteal muscles .
“ When you ’ re out in the wilderness parks and on the trails , you ’ re not just exercising your body ,” says Hallie Jones , executive director of the Laguna Canyon Foundation . “ The smell of the coastal sage , the glimpse [ s ] of birds , coyotes and bobcats — all of those things combine to remind us of our place in the greater world .”
According to Hallie , the most popular local trail is the 3.5-mile Laurel Canyon Loop near the Willow Canyon parking lot . Those in search of a less advanced route can park closer to the James Dilley Preserve , near the intersection of Laguna Canyon Road and state Route 73 , then head out to the 2.7-mile Barbara ’ s Lake Loop . Hallie adds that she favors the scenic Dartmoor Trail , located at the top of Dartmoor Street in north Laguna .
For a more aggressive
SWITCHING GEARS
Hiking ’ s more extreme outdoor cousin , off-road mountain biking , presents riders with the same environmental eye candy , and it serves as the quickest way to explore Laguna ’ s landscape .
“ Biking is a unique workout because it ’ s great cardio and also exhilarating ,” Billy remarks . “ Laguna has tremendous technical terrain , [ which ] makes it fun and adrenaline-filled , not to mention beautiful .”
The Dartmoor Trail is one of Billy ’ s top recommendations for those looking to strike out on their own because of its easy access , varied landscape and unparalleled views . The Car Wreck Trail inside Top of the World Park offers a convenient entry point to the route , or bikers can head in from Laguna Coast Wilderness Park off Laguna Canyon Road . “ Make sure you check out the trail first , as many of our local trails aren ’ t open to bikes ,” Hallie says . Outdoor companies like
La Vida Laguna offer bike and
HIKING
CALORIES BURNED : UP TO 500 PER HOUR MUSCLES WORKED : LEGS , GLUTEALS , ABDOMINAL CORE GOOD FOR : CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITIONING , BUILDING STAMINA , BURNING FAT
thigh-burning activity off the trails , athletes can run the legendary staircase at Thousand Steps Beach ( which actually only includes about 232 steps ). A refreshing dip in the ocean is a customary finale to celebrate completing the challenge .
MOUNTAIN BIKING
CALORIES BURNED : 650-PLUS PER HOUR MUSCLES WORKED : LEGS , GLUTEALS , CORE GOOD FOR : BUILDING STAMINA AND STRENGTH , BURNING FAT
other equipment rentals . For a multidimensional experience , sign up for a guided excursion like La Vida Laguna ’ s Laguna Back Roads tour , which takes riders
on a picturesque historic loop through town .
“ Exercises like mountain biking will help you build more strength and burn more fat
because you are working with resistance and using most of your body ,” says Ryan Kollock , a personal trainer and founder of Code Green Fitness .
HIKING PHOTOS BY JODY TIONGCO COURTESY OF LA VIDA LAGUNA
SUMMER 2015 CITY GUIDE 17