Los Angeles Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

1. 1

   Mount Hollywood Trail

   About 2.7 miles (4.3 km) round trip from the observatory1.5-2 hourseasyAbout 600 ft (180 m) gain to the 1,625 ft summit

   Griffith Park's most popular summit hike, climbing from the Griffith Observatory to a 360-degree view of downtown, the Hollywood Sign and the Pacific.

2. 2

   Hollywood Sign via Brush Canyon Trail

   About 6.4 miles (10.3 km) round trip to the Mt. Lee Dr overlook3-4 hoursmoderateAbout 1,000 ft (300 m) gain

   A fire-road hike behind the Hollywood Sign; the sign can be viewed from the back and above, but the area immediately around it is fenced and off-limits.

3. 3

   Bronson Caves

   About 1.2 miles (1.9 km) round trip30-60 minuteseasyAbout 150 ft (45 m) gain

   Short walk to a former quarry tunnel used as a film location, including for the 1960s Batman television series.

4. 4

   Runyon Canyon Park Loop

   About 3 miles (4.8 km) loop1.5-2 hourseasyAbout 600-700 ft (180-210 m) gain

   Los Angeles' best-known urban hike through the Hollywood Hills with views of the city; the West Ridge trail was closed after the January 2025 Sunset Fire, so check city alerts before going.

5. 5

   Lake Hollywood Park and Reservoir Loop

   About 3.3 miles (5.3 km) loop around the reservoir1-1.5 hourseasyMostly flat

   A level paved loop around the Hollywood Reservoir with one of the clearest ground-level views of the Hollywood Sign.

6. 6

   Betty B. Dearing Trail (Fryman Canyon and Wilacre Park)

   About 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip to Fryman Overlook1-2 hourseasyAbout 600 ft (180 m) gain

   Mulholland-side canyon walk through oak woodland to overlooks of the San Fernando Valley.

7. 7

   Solstice Canyon Loop

   About 2.1 miles (3.4 km) round trip to the waterfall; loop options to 3.5 miles1-2 hourseasyAbout 300-400 ft (90-120 m) gain

   A shaded creek walk past the ruins of the Roberts Ranch house to a seasonal waterfall, in a canyon burned in the 2018 Woolsey Fire.

8. 8

   Escondido Falls

   About 3.8 miles (6.1 km) round trip to the upper falls2-3 hoursmoderateAbout 700 ft (210 m) gain to the upper falls

   Walk through a creek canyon to a 150-ft tiered waterfall; the final scramble to the upper falls is steep and loose.

9. 9

   Sandstone Peak via Mishe Mokwa Trail

   About 6 miles (9.7 km) loop3-4 hoursmoderateAbout 1,200 ft (365 m) gain to the 3,111 ft summit

   The highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, reached by a loop through volcanic rock formations and Split Rock.

10. 10

    Rivas Canyon Trail to Temescal Overlooks

    About 4 miles (6.4 km) round trip to the overlooks2-2.5 hoursmoderateAbout 800 ft (245 m) gain

    Reopened July 17, 2026 after Palisades Fire recovery; climbs to two ocean overlooks and links to Will Rogers State Historic Park. The Temescal Canyon waterfall trail remains closed indefinitely.

11. 11

    Inspiration Point Loop at Will Rogers State Historic Park

    About 2 miles (3.2 km) loop1-1.5 hourseasyAbout 400 ft (120 m) gain

    A hill loop to Inspiration Point with views of Santa Monica Bay; the park reopened about ten months after the Palisades Fire, though the historic Ranch House was destroyed.

12. 12

    Charmlee Wilderness Park Loop

    About 2-3 miles (3-4.8 km) loop1-1.5 hourseasyAbout 300 ft (90 m) gain

    City-run bluff park of coastal sage scrub with ocean views, a small nature center and gentle trails.

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

When to hike

Seasonal conditions in Los Angeles.

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Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.