Best Hiking Trails in Los Angeles

LA is surrounded by mountains and has incredible hiking within city limits. From 30-minute walks to full-day adventures, there's terrain for everyone. The best seasons are fall through spring — summers get hot. Start early (before 8am) to beat heat and crowds. Bring water, sunscreen, and proper shoes.

LA's urban wilderness has trails for all levels. Hollywood Sign via Mt. Hollywood Trail — moderate 5-mile loop with iconic views. Griffith Observatory Trail — easy 2.5 miles, stunning city views. Fern Dell to Griffith Observatory — shaded, beginner-friendly. Parking is free but fills up on weekends; go early.

The celebrity-spotting hike in the Hollywood Hills. Easy to moderate depending on route (0.85 to 3.5 miles). Off-leash dog friendly. Incredible downtown and ocean views. Very crowded weekends — go at sunrise or sunset on weekdays. Parking is brutal; Uber recommended. Bring water; there's none on the trail.

Solstice Canyon — easy family hike to waterfall ruins (2.5 miles). Escondido Falls — moderate hike to stunning waterfall (3.8 miles). Point Dume — coastal bluff walk with whale watching. Sandstone Peak — highest point in Santa Monica Mountains (6.3 miles). These require driving but offer escape from the city.

Mt. Wilson — 14-mile out-and-back, serious workout. Echo Mountain (Pasadena) — 5 miles to historic resort ruins. Bridge to Nowhere (Azusa) — 10 miles through wilderness, requires permit on weekends. Mount Baldy — 11 miles to highest peak in LA County. These are full-day commitments; experienced hikers only.

Start early — heat exhaustion is real. Bring more water than you think (1 liter per hour of hiking). Tell someone your plans. Stay on marked trails; rattlesnakes are real. Check AllTrails app for current conditions. Fire season (Oct-Dec) may close trails — check before going. Parking at popular trailheads fills by 9am on weekends.