Griffith Observatory to Hollywood Sign
An enjoyable hike overlooking LA which leads to a legendary landmark
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 10 km
- Ascent
- 441 m
- Descent
- 441 m
Best Hikes in Los Angeles: Coastal, Suburban, and Epic Summits
Escape suburbia by exploring LA's numerous hiking trails!
Hiking Easy, Moderate, Difficult, Severe
Description
Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis filled with cars, buildings, and strip malls for miles. With a population of 18.7 million people in the Los Angeles-Long Beach combined statistical area, most outsiders wouldn’t even dream of coming to Los Angeles to hike. But the millions of adventurous people that live here know that despite being such a massive megalopolis, LA has easy access to incredible hiking right on its doorstep!
Los Angeles is confined into a relatively limited geographical area by the Pacific Ocean on one side, and the San Gabriel Mountains on the other. The San Gabriels soar to heights over 10,000 feet, rising dramatically from the ocean. Most of this mountain range is protected by the Angeles National Forest, the most visited national forest in the United States. The hiking opportunities in the Angeles National Forest are abundant!
Even closer to home for the locals, the greater LA area—especially Orange County—has a surprising number of fantastic parks chock full of trails for shorter outings. In this guidebook, we’ve attempted to combine both big hiking efforts and quick hits, both providing a quick dose of nature and an escape from suburbia.
Routes included
Point Dume Trail
Spiraling path to a panorama over the Pacific, with tide pools and whale watching opportunities.
Easy Hiking
- Distance
- 1.8 km
- Ascent
- 80 m
- Descent
- 80 m
Bridge to Nowhere
Hike to a photogenic arch bridge curiously placed in a mountain wilderness area, with river crossings and swimming holes along the way.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 15 km
- Ascent
- 437 m
- Descent
- 435 m
M*A*S*H TV Set Hike
Scenic hike through Malibu Creek State Park to the filming location of a famous TV show.
Easy Hiking
- Distance
- 7.6 km
- Ascent
- 134 m
- Descent
- 133 m
Runyon Canyon Highpoint Loop
Linkup of all the major viewpoints in one of the best parks near Hollywood.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 5.4 km
- Ascent
- 259 m
- Descent
- 259 m
Red Rock Canyon via Billy Goat Trail
Explore fantastic rock formations via hiker-only trails in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 5.2 km
- Ascent
- 247 m
- Descent
- 247 m
Dana Point Preserve Trail
Nature walk with great views over the ocean and a chance of spotting whales.
Easy Hiking
- Distance
- 1.4 km
- Ascent
- 42 m
- Descent
- 42 m
Eaton Canyon Falls
Very popular hike to one of LA-area's favorite waterfalls.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 5.7 km
- Ascent
- 161 m
- Descent
- 161 m
Santa Anita Canyon - Mt. Zion Loop
Full-value loop combining Sturtevant Falls, Mt. Zion summit, and swimming holes in Big Santa Anita Canyon.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 702 m
- Descent
- 699 m
Echo Mountain Loop
Historic path to a ruined resort and one of the best views over Pasadena, plus the waterfalls of Rubio Canyon.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 9.1 km
- Ascent
- 557 m
- Descent
- 557 m
Morton Peak
Gentle uphill hike to an impressive viewpoint and historic lookout tower in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 4.7 km
- Ascent
- 207 m
- Descent
- 207 m
Temescal Canyon Loop
Combination valley and ridge hike, with a waterfall as well as hilltop views.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 5.1 km
- Ascent
- 273 m
- Descent
- 273 m
Tuna Canyon Budwood Motorway
Ridgeline walk with ocean views above the Pacific Coast Highway
Easy Hiking
- Distance
- 4.9 km
- Ascent
- 182 m
- Descent
- 182 m
Mount Baldy Summit Loop
Challenging and scenic hike in the alpine terrain of Los Angeles County's tallest mountain.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 1.2 km
- Descent
- 1.2 km
Mount Wilson
Towering above the Los Angeles metro area, Mount Wilson is a formidable—but rewarding—objective.
Severe Hiking
- Distance
- 21 km
- Ascent
- 1.5 km
- Descent
- 1.5 km
Ferndell Trail to the Mount Hollywood Summit
A beautiful but non-technical hike to the summit of Mount Hollywood.
Easy Hiking
- Distance
- 8.5 km
- Ascent
- 340 m
- Descent
- 340 m
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