In mass media, it’s a common stereotype for Los Angelenos to be fitness enthusiasts, always on the beach or at the gym, eating healthy food and snacks, and going on regular hikes. But if you live in a place filled with so much outdoor space as Los Angeles, it’s kind of hard to resist the call of nature to go outside and enjoy the great outdoors. So, do as as the Los Angeleno does by donning some comfortable clothes and a pair of sturdy walking shoes and explore Los Angeles’ urban oases. We have just the thing to get you started. Here are the top hiking and trekking spots in Los Angeles, California.
1. Elysian Park Trails
The neighborhood of Elysian Park has six trails of different difficulty levels, ready for whenever you need a quick hike while in the city. The West Loop, Main Trail, Portola Trail South, Bryce Trail, and Radio Hill Loop are all relatively easy, taking you through landscapes dotted with wildflowers. Meanwhile, the hardest of the bunch is the Portola Loop. Rated as “moderate”, the Portola Loop runs for 2.8 miles or 4.5 kilometers. It’s great for hiking and trail running, especially between October and May. You’ll be rewarded with scenic views of Los Angeles.
Elysian Park Trails
Address: Elysian Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
Price: Free
2. Griffith Park (from USD 39.0)
If you’re after something more iconic to remember your Los Angeles trip, head to Griffith Park and take part in a two-hour hike of the area. The starting point will be the Roosevelt Cafe at Los Feliz. From here, make your way to the Greek Theater and then finally go off the road and into the trails. From this point, you’ll be headed to the Griffith Observatory and, finally, the Hollywood sign.
Prepare to gain some elevation, as the entire hike will have you climb what’s equivalent to at least 12 flights of stairs. Don’t worry – the pace will be relaxed and you can take a break whenever you want.
Hollywood Sign Hiking Tour to Griffith Observatory
Duration: 2.0 hour
3. Ernest E. Debs Regional Park
Located in Montecito Heights, the natural sprawl of the Ernest E. Debs Regional Park will take you on a journey through Los Angeles wilderness. This nature preserve is home to a 5-mile or 8-kilometer loop trail that is easy and breathtaking. Along the way, you will most likely be serenaded by birdsong, as the Ernest E. Debs Regional Park is also a popular site for local birdwatchers. Don’t forget to drop by the Audubon Center at Debs, the first-ever carbon neutral building in the country.
Ernest E. Debs Regional Park
Address: 4235 Monterey Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90032, United States
Website: Ernest E. Debs Regional Park
Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)
Price: Free
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4. Runyon Canyon Park
At 160 acres (almost 65 hectares), you can be sure there’s plenty of space to hike and play at Runyon Canyon Park. You can use this as your gateway to the Santa Monica Mountains. Here, you have the option to take two trails (both of which are relatively easy), or take the loop which extends to 3.5 miles or 5.6 kilometers. Regardless of which path you take, you’ll gain at least 500 feet or 152 meters of elevation, granting you views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood sign, especially on a clear day.
Runyon Canyon Park
Address: 2000 N Fuller Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046, United States
Website: Runyon Canyon Park
Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)
Price: Free
5. Getty View Park
From February to October, Getty View Park and its trail comes alive with activity, blooms, and even some fall colors as the year progresses. There are two trails here, both 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) each that connect to form a loop about 3 miles or almost 5 kilometers long. Along the way, you’ll gain approximately 375 feet or 114 meters of elevation, as well as sweeping views of the Los Angeles skyline, unobstructed. From here, the city looks quite peaceful. You might also spot some Bel Air mansions. This is a short and quick hike, perfect to start or end your day.
Getty View Park
Address: 1399 Casiano Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90049, United States
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
Price: Free
6. Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
People love Los Angeles for the space – tons of it. And a part of that space is the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, tucked deep in the Baldwin Hill Mountains. There are 338 acres (almost 137 hectares) to explore here, which you can do on foot. It’s an easy hike with a total length of 2.4 miles or almost 4 kilometers and an elevation gain of 305 feet or 93 meters.
At the highest point of the park, which is at 500 feet or 152 meters, you’ll get to enjoy stunning views of downtown Los Angeles. The sunsets are spectacular from here, as well! If you’re bringing a car, there’s a small fee on holidays and weekends.
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Address: 4100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90056, United States
Website: Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free
7. Elyria Canyon Park
Head off to Mount Washington and visit Elyria Canyon Park, another urban oasis and favorite spot among local and visiting hikers. It’s relatively smaller than Runyon Canyon and Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, at just 35 acres or 14 hectares, but it’s enough to give you a glimpse of Los Angeles wilderness, pristine and untouched. There’s a 1.3-mile (about two kilometers) loop trail that will have you meandering through grassy and rolling fields of purple needlegrass, sage scrub, chaparral, and black walnut trees, and you’ll enjoy breathtaking vistas of Los Angeles, of course.
Elyria Canyon Park
Address: 1550 Bridgeport Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90065, United States
Website: Elyria Canyon Park
Opening hours: 6:30am - 8:30pm (daily)
Price: Free
8. Trebek Open Space
So far, what we’ve shared with you are lightly to moderately trafficked trails. If you want to go hiking in solitude, then maybe Trebek Open Space is for you. This spot is seldom visited and really just visited by avid hikers and mountain hikers with adrenaline coursing through their veins. That said, the hike here is relatively short and easy, weaving through the Hollywood Hills landscape.
If you’re in nearby Runyon Canyon Park, you can continue your hike here (and vice versa)! If you’re a fan of Jeopardy, you’ll also be pleased to know that Trebek Open Space was actually donated for public use by none other than Alex Trebek himself.
Trebek Open Space
Address: Los Angeles, CA 90046, United States
Website: Trebek Open Space
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
Price: Free
9. Glendale Peak
From lightly and seldom trafficked, let’s move on to an extremely popular hiking spot: Glendale Peak. This 3.6-mile (approximately 6-kilometer) trail attracts plenty of hikers and visitors all days of the year. Rated as moderately difficult, the trail here is lined with wildflowers until the landscape opens up to reveal one of the best views of downtown Los Angeles, as well as Glendale and Palos Verdes. The trail doesn’t have a lot of cover, so make sure to slather on some sunscreen for protection.
Glendale Peak
Address: 2715 N Vermont Canyon Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
Price: Free
10. Franklin Canyon Park
Tucked between Beverly Hills and San Fernando Valley is the last stop of your tour of the top hiking and trekking spots in Los Angeles: Franklin Canyon Park. It’s a sprawling 605-acre (244-hectare) protected area with 3 trails to suit hikers of varying abilities and skill levels. There is also a loop trail that is stroller-friendly, if you want to bring the young ones with you. Attractions located within the park include a lake, the Sooky Goldman Nature Center, and the Eugene and Michael Rosenfeld Auditorium.
Franklin Canyon Park
Address: 2600 Franklin Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, United States
Website: Franklin Canyon Park
Opening hours: 7am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free
Do your part
All of these hiking and trekking destinations are accessible and free for everyone. As you plan and go on your hike or trek in Los Angeles, remember to leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but pictures. Let’s all do our part in keeping these spectacular open spaces beautiful. Looking for more things to do in Los Angeles? You’re in the right place. Browse our website for more Los Angeles travel guides.
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