Finding the best hikes in Los Angeles might seem like the punchline of a joke or a reference to the couple hundred feet of concrete an Angeleno might cover between a parking garage and a trendy restaurant, but it turns out that this car-centric city possesses an array of preserved natural habitats. LA is filled with excellent hiking opportunities year-round. For instance, Griffith Park is the city centerpiece for outdoor recreation and hiking in Los Angeles. Next up are Runyon Canyon and a few favorite parks and green spaces along the beautiful California coast. Whether you have your hiking shoes at the ready or just want to get your feet wet, here is our short list of the best trails LA has to offer, including Mount Hollywood Trail, Brush Canyon Trail, Bowl Loop Trail, Edward Albert Trail to Escondido Falls, Portuguese Bend Reserve Loop, and Switzer Falls Trail.
Griffith Park Hike
• Name: Mount Hollywood Trail from Griffith Observatory to Mount Hollywood
• Distance: 2.5 miles round trip
• Trailhead/Parking: Charlie Turner Trailhead off the Griffith Observatory parking lot at 2800 E. Observatory Rd., Los Angeles
• Accessibility: This dirt path is not fully accessible for those with mobility issues.
• Reason to Hike: Great Views
Rising above sprawling Los Angeles like an island in an urban sea, Griffith Park covers more than 4,500 acres of the eastern Santa Monica Mountains. It’s a rugged landscape of dry hillsides covered with scrubby chaparral and deep canyons sheltering oak and walnut trees. Even more important for visitors, Griffith Park is home to two of the most recognized and iconic attractions in LA: Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Sign.
Confusing matters for tourists just a bit, the Hollywood Sign sits atop Mount Lee, and Griffith Observatory occupies the slopes below Mount Hollywood. Hike to the top of Mount Hollywood, and you’ll have a sideways view of the Hollywood Sign more than a mile away as the crow flies.
Those hikers wanting to snap a selfie with themselves and those famous giant letters might be disappointed by a hike to the top, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the effort. The hike begins at the Griffith Observatory parking lot, and the path up is broad, easy and just 2.5 miles one way. And while the sign may be off in the distance, the spectacular views of the observatory’s distinctive domes with downtown Los Angeles in the background are unforgettable. It’s a classic postcard view of L.A.
A couple of notes you’ll want to keep in mind:
- Griffith Park is laced with a network of more than 70 miles of trails, and you’ll encounter several intersections on this short hike alone. Just follow the signs, and you’ll be fine.
- Temperatures can soar in the summer, so bring plenty of water.
- Parking at the observatory can be a problem, so either start early or take the DASH bus from the Vermont/Sunset Metro Red Line Station to Griffith Observatory.
Hollywood Sign Hike
• Name: Brush Canyon Trail
• Distance: 6 miles round trip
• Trailhead/Parking: At the end of Canyon Drive, 3000 Canyon Dr., Los Angeles
• Accessibility: Though not fully accessible due to the incline, there are stroller-friendly, even-graded trails in the Griffith Observatory area with views of the Hollywood sign.
• Reason to Hike: The Hollywood Sign! (Duh.)
You might be tempted to hike from Griffith Observatory to the Hollywood Sign and knock out two must-sees in one fell swoop, but at 9 miles round trip, that would be quite a swoop! Unfortunately, the easiest routes to the sign are now off-limits because they begin at trailheads in neighborhoods whose residents ultimately became frustrated with hordes of hikers taking up all the street parking.
While the L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks figures out a solution, an alternative to schlepping all the way from the observatory is taking Brush Canyon Trail to Mullholland Trail. It connects to Mount Lee Drive, which then passes the unsightly antenna array facility near the summit and ends atop Mount Lee for a view down (through a chain-link fence) at the large aluminum sign known around the world for its association with the glamor of the film industry. The view of the surrounding landscape is unforgettable, and the photos you take here make the journey more than worth it.
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area Hike
• Name: Bowl Loop Trail (part of the planned 13-mile Park to Playa Trail)
• Distance: 0.8 miles
• Trailhead/Parking: 4100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
• Accessibility: The Bowl Loop Trail is suitable for all ages
• Reason to Hike: Accessibility and diverse landscapes
One of the best places to go for outdoor recreation is Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area in Baldwin Hills, which features coastal sage scrub habitats and landscaped areas, including a Japanese garden. Many paved roads, visitor centers, gardens and picnic sites are suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Start your expedition from the state park parking lots, which provide lots of room and simple trailhead access. Note that not all of the 7 miles of trails are paved, but there's a network of hard-packed paths.
The Bowl Loop Trail is considered one of the easiest, beginning straight from ADA-compliant parking lots, but check out this 35-second hiking video to ensure it's accessible enough for your needs. Designed for easy navigation, the trail lets you take in beautiful scenery — from city views to open meadows and picturesque hills featuring native flora and fauna particular to the region. There's not a lot of shade, but you'll be welcomed with views of Downtown LA and its skyscrapers.
With a short walk, picnic areas with picnic tables and restroom facilities, it’s an ideal location for a full day of fun with family and friends. As mentioned earlier, visiting on a weekday is preferable for a more relaxing — and budget-friendly trip; there are fewer crowds and parking fees on a weekday. There's also an ADA-accessible shuttle bus for a small fee running every 20 minutes from Metro Expo–La Cienega/Jefferson Station to Kenneth Hahn State Recreational Area and Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. The shuttle, operating 8 to 6 on weekends and holidays, is free for children under age 5 and older adults.
Malibu Hike
• Name: Edward Albert Trail to Escondido Falls
• Distance: 4 miles round trip
• Trailhead/Parking: 27807 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu
• Accessibility: The trail is flat at first but will get rougher as you approach the falls. Only an experienced hiker who can handle moderate exercise and uneven terrain should try it.
• Reason to Hike: A lovely 50-foot-high waterfall, which is unusual for the area’s dry climate
Of the several great hikes around Malibu, the Escondido Falls Hike is one of the best and most popular, and it’s no wonder why. Water cascading down a 50-foot-high cliff is a beautiful sight, and the great hike itself is not only easy but pretty as it passes through lush Escondido Canyon Natural Area on the edge of the Santa Monica Mountains.
From the small parking lot along Pacific Coast Highway, the “trail” takes Winding Way for three-quarters of a mile through an expensive-looking neighborhood before reaching the Edward Albert Trail and the real beginning of your hike. The path descends to Escondido Creek, which is lined by trees much of the distance, and crosses the creek a few times before arriving at the falls.
A few points to be aware of: The falls disappear during the dry season, so spring is usually the best time to visit. The parking lot fills up early on the weekend, so go on a weekday if you can. If you need a bathroom break, your options include a portable toilet at the parking lot, and that’s it.
Also, you may see photos of the upper falls, which are even more impressive than the lower ones. It’s disappointing, but not only are the upper falls on private property outside park boundaries and therefore off limits, getting to them is a challenging and dangerous scramble up a steep hillside. Please stay safe and stick with the lower falls, which are picture-worthy on its own.
Palos Verdes Hike
• Name: Portuguese Bend Reserve Loop
• Distance: 3-mile loop
• Trailhead/Parking: Park along Crenshaw Boulevard or at nearby Del Cerro Park, 2 Park Pl., Rancho Palos Verdes
• Accessibility: The loop features a dirt path with uneven terrain, making it less accessible for those with mobility issues.
• Reason to Hike: Great Views
Known for its upscale communities with enviable locations overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Palos Verdes Peninsula also boasts some notable nature preserves with hiking trails along the shore and high atop bluffs. Probably the only reason Portuguese Bend Reserve hasn’t seen the housing development of the surrounding area is due to the infamously unstable ground here. While the shifting soil is not great for building mansions, it’s perfect for a network of hiking trails that show off dramatic panoramic views.
From the end of Crenshaw Boulevard, follow the Burma Road Trail, veering off to the right almost immediately for the first scenic overlook that takes in a sweeping vista that includes (on a clear day) Catalina Island. Continue until you reach Eagle’s Nest Trail and take that (a left) to the next viewpoint. Continue on Eagle’s Nest Trail until you link back up with Burma Road Trail, making another left. When you reach the Ishibashi Trail, make a left again, and now you’re headed back to the trailhead.
Just one word of warning about this Palos Verdes hike: Parking is limited, so if you park in the surrounding neighborhood, look out for permit-only zones.
Runyon Canyon Hike
• Name: Runyon Canyon Loop
• Distance: 1.9 miles or 3 miles depending on the route
• Trailhead/Parking: The trail begins at 1998 N. Fuller Ave., Los Angeles. Park along North Fuller Avenue or on adjacent streets.
• Accessibility: Though some of the lower trails are partially paved, wheelchair users cannot use most of the trails since most quickly transition to steep, uneven ground.
• Reason to Hike: Hollywood views and the chance for a celebrity sighting
The easy version of a hike through Runyon Canyon Park — known as much for its popularity with Hollywood A-listers out to enjoy the fresh air and post selfies of their workout as it is for its panoramas — follows Inspiration Point Trail to two scenic overlooks: Inspiration Point (naturally) and Clouds Rest. Both overlooks are worth the easy climb and the crowds. You’ll have the Hollywood Sign behind and to your left and Los Angeles spread out before you as far as the eye can see. The trail then loops back via Runyon Canyon Fire Road for an easy return trip.
This relatively short hike can be extended to be a challenging 3-mile trek if you head north at a moderate pace past Clouds Rest along Runyon Canyon Road to the Mulholland Drive park entrance and return by way of the more challenging West Ridge Trail, a dirt path where you can bring your leashed dog.
Switzer Falls Hike
• Trail Name: Switzer Falls Trail
• Distance: Approximately 4 miles round trip
• Trailhead/Parking: Located off Angeles Crest Highway, about 30 miles from Downtown Los Angeles; you’ll need a National Forest Adventure Pass or another kind of entrance pass from the National Park Service.
• Accessibility: Full mobility is required due to stream crossings and uneven paths.
Reason to Hike: There's a mix of history and scenery, making this particular Angeles National Forest hike in the San Gabriel Mountains a scenic hiking retreat near LA.
Beginning at Switzer Picnic Area, you'll pass through shaded landscapes with towering canyon walls, but get there early to avoid crowds. Walk among green woods, cross streams, and hike on steep and paved pathways. Rock formations and various bodies of water offer peaceful stops as you continue. Look for historic structures from Switzer Trail Camp that tell the area's historic beginnings. At Switzer Falls and its small pool, the trail ends, revealing the stunning Angeles National Forest in all its glory.
Due to its convenience and rustic beauty, this walk attracts beginners and experts alike. However, consider bringing waterproof hiking boots or trekking poles for the best experience!