Hiking
The Best Hikes in Los Angeles
From the Hollywood Sign climb to chaparral canyons and ocean-view ridgelines, here are LA's hikes worth lacing up for.
From the Hollywood Sign climb to chaparral canyons and ocean-view ridgelines, here are LA's hikes worth lacing up for.
One of the best things about Los Angeles is how quickly you can trade the freeway for a trail. The city is wrapped in mountains and canyons, and within minutes of dense neighborhoods you can be climbing a ridge with the skyline on one side and the Pacific on the other. Hikes here range from short, social fitness loops to longer climbs that earn you a celebrity-grade view, and many of the most iconic ones are right inside the city limits.
LA hiking comes with its own rules, though. Most trails are exposed chaparral with little shade, the sun is strong, and water is rarely available once you start, so preparation matters more than the modest distances suggest. This guide covers the standout routes by character, from the see-and-be-seen scene at Runyon Canyon to the quieter trails of greater Griffith Park, with honest notes on difficulty, parking, and timing.
The quintessential LA hike: a short, steep, social loop with sweeping city views right above Hollywood. Go early to beat the heat and the crowds, and bring water because there is little shade.
Read more →One of the largest urban parks in the country, with a web of trails for every level, from gentle paths to ridgeline climbs. The trailheads can be confusing, so download a map and pick your route before you arrive.
Read more →
Several Griffith Park trails lead to commanding views of, and above, the famous sign. There is no public access to the letters themselves; the best routes get you to the viewpoint behind and around it, so research the current trail and parking rules first.
Read more →
Hiking up to the observatory from the lower trails is a rewarding climb that also solves the notorious parking problem. Time it for late afternoon to catch sunset and the city lights from the terraces.
Read more →
An easy, flat lakeside loop for an accessible stroll with skyline views and lotus blooms. A relaxed alternative when you want movement without elevation.
Read more →A popular paved walking-and-jogging loop around the water, flat and stroller-friendly. Good for a casual morning when you want a walk rather than a climb.
Read more →
Clifftop coastal paths in San Pedro with ocean horizons and tide-pool access nearby. A gentler, scenic option that swaps mountain views for the sea.
Read more →
Gateway to canyon and bluff trails with ocean views in the Santa Monica Mountains. Base here for hikes that combine chaparral, shade, and coastal panoramas.
Read more →
Home to popular foothill trails climbing into the Santa Monica Mountains, with city and ocean payoffs at the top. Start early, as parking near the trailheads fills fast on weekends.
Read more →
The leafy neighborhood at the doorstep of Griffith Park's southern trailheads. A convenient launch point for observatory and sign hikes, with coffee stops for before and after.
Read more →Temescal Gateway Park is a shaded canyon trailhead in Pacific Palisades that leads hikers up to a seasonal waterfall and ridgeline ocean views. It is one of the Westside's most approachable real hikes, doubling as a leafy spot for a picnic at the canyon mouth.
Read more →Eaton Canyon is a popular natural area at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, best known for a family-friendly trail leading to a seasonal waterfall. Its nature center, wildlife, and accessible terrain make it a favorite quick escape from the city.
Read more →Want this turned into a day-by-day plan?
Our free AI LA Travel Planner builds a personalized itinerary in seconds.
Runyon Canyon offers a big city view for a short effort, though it is steeper than it looks. For a truly easy, flat option, the loops around Echo Park Lake or the Silver Lake Reservoir give you a pleasant walk without the climb.
You can hike to excellent viewpoints of and above the sign via trails in Griffith Park, but there is no public access to the letters themselves. Routes and parking rules change, so check the current official guidance before you go.
Early morning is best year-round to avoid heat, crowds, and strong midday sun on the largely shadeless trails. Cooler months from late fall through spring are the most comfortable overall, and after rain the air is clear and the hills turn green.
PhotographyWhere to be when the LA sky turns gold and pink, from the Griffith Observatory terraces to Malibu's sea-cave coves.
PhotographyIconic skylines, architectural icons, sea caves, and color-soaked streets, plus when to shoot them for the best light.
FreeLA can be expensive, but some of its greatest experiences, from the Getty to the beaches, cost nothing at all.