With more than 300 days of warm sunshine, Los Angeles is a hiker’s paradise.
Mountains surround Los Angeles and offer outdoor types of all experience levels the choice of more than 150 diverse hiking trails. Whether one wants to stroll past the Hollywood Sign, have views of the ocean, or escape the traffic by getting lost in nature, L.A.’s hiking trails will lead one there.
The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board advises hikers to carry enough drinking water, wear sturdy shoes and sunglasses and use sunscreen. They also caution to stay on the designated trails for a safe and satisfying hiking experience. Even though cellular service is often spotty in mountainous areas, always bring a cell phone in case of an emergency.
Beginner Hiking Trails in L.A.
Los Angeles Tourism recommends the following hiking trails for beginners or those who prefer to walk at a more leisurely pace.
Fryman Canyon Park: This three-mile loop in Studio City will make one forget that they are right in the middle of Los Angeles with populated urban areas on either side of the mountain. The wide trail with a gradual incline offers views of Valley cities to the north and Sherman Oaks to the west.Getty View Trail: This three-mile wide fire road overlooks the 405 freeway, but traffic noise dissipates the higher one climbs. On the ridge, one has views of the Getty Center and a long-distance peek at the gated Bel Air community.Mount Hollywood: The Mount Hollywood Hiking Trail begins at the iconic Griffith Observatory and leads to a fenced-in lookout that offers 360-degree views of the entire city, including Downtown L.A., the San Fernando Valley, and even Century City. Parts of the trail boast views of the Hollywood Sign.Runyon Canyon Park: The trails at Runyon Canyon — essentially an oversize dog park — are some of the most popular in the city. Hikers can see abandoned tennis courts, scorched palms, and the remnants of a pool house that used to occupy this Hollywood Hills area until it burned down in 1972. Now the winding trail with an overlook bench at the top offers expansive views of the L.A. Basin.
Intermediate Hiking Trails in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Tourism classifies the following hiking trails as intermediate difficulty.
Bee Rock (Old Zoo Hike): This hike takes one past the remnants of cages and animal enclosures from the original Los Angeles Zoo. There is a fenced-in lookout at the top of Bee Rock, the final destination on this four-mile hike.Murphy Ranch Trail: This 3.3-mile loop in Pacific Palisades has 529 stairs that takes one down to the graffiti-riddled, fenced-off remains of the WWII Murphy Ranch encampment.Zuma Canyon Trailhead: This 3.1-mile loop in Malibu includes views of the iconic Pacific Coast Highway below and the Pacific Ocean off in the distance.Rivas Canyon Trail: The entrance to the 4.1-mile Rivas Canyon Trail is located past the guard gate of Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades. The thick tree canopy provides ample shade for hikers as they take in views of cacti, ferns, and the multimillion-dollar homes of Pacific Palisades.
Expert Hiking Trails in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Tourism considers the following hiking trails “difficult” and best suited for expert hikers.
The Bridge to Nowhere: This trail in Asuza isn’t grueling or treacherous, but it does require endurance to complete the 10-mile journey. The Bridge to Nowhere was built in 1936 to connect the San Gabriel Valley with Wrightwood. When the road washed away during a flood in 1938, the bridge remained but served no purpose until, decades later, it became L.A. County’s most popular spot to bungee jump.Brush Canyon Trail: This is the trail one wants to take to hike on a ridge that overlooks the back of the Hollywood Sign. The 6.1-mile trail may be an obstacle course of horse droppings due to its proximity to stables, but the trail offers panoramic views of Los Angeles.Topanga State Park Trails: One of the trails in Topanga State Park leads to Parker Mesa Overlook, which has two benches for hikers to reward themselves with views of the Pacific Ocean, Downtown L.A., and the San Gabriel Mountains. On a clear day, one can even see Catalina Island, located approximately 29 miles offshore from Long Beach.Westridge Trail: This eight-mile hike begins north of Brentwood’s Mandeville Canyon and ends at the historic Nike Station — an abandoned military radar station designed to protect the United States from Soviet attacks. Now the station has picnic tables at its base and offers views of Catalina Island, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the entire expanse of the San Fernando Valley.
