Los Angeles is one of the rare big cities where you can finish a morning meeting and be standing on a ridgeline two hours later, looking down at the whole basin and out to the Pacific. The trails here range from paved sunset strolls to lung-busting canyon climbs, and the hardest part is usually just picking one. This guide rounds up eight of the best hikes in Los Angeles right now, spread across Griffith Park, the Hollywood Hills, and the Santa Monica Mountains, with real distances, honest difficulty, and the parking and dog details that actually matter on the day.
One important note before you lace up: the January 2025 Eaton Fire closed a huge chunk of the San Gabriel front range, so a few old favorites are off the table for now (more on that below). Everything in this list is open and well within reach of central LA.
Quick comparison: the best LA hikes at a glance
| Hike | Area | Distance | Elevation gain | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Sign via Canyon Drive | Griffith Park | 6.1 mi | 1,174 ft | Moderate | The bucket-list view |
| Ferndell to Griffith Observatory Loop | Griffith Park | 2.6 mi | 613 ft | Moderate | Families & sunset |
| Mount Hollywood Trail | Griffith Park | 3.0 mi | 508 ft | Moderate | 360° city views |
| Runyon Canyon Loop | Hollywood Hills | 1.9 mi | 515 ft | Moderate | Quick workout, dogs |
| Solstice Canyon | Malibu | 2.9 mi | 666 ft | Moderate | Waterfall & ruins |
| Escondido Falls | Malibu | 3.6 mi | 475 ft | Moderate | Tallest local waterfall |
| Upper Zuma Falls via Backbone | Malibu | 6.2 mi | 984 ft | Moderate | A wilder, longer day |
| Debs Park Loop | Northeast LA | 2.9 mi | 646 ft | Moderate | The locals’ secret |
1. Hollywood Sign via Canyon Drive — the classic LA bucket-lister
Distance: 6.1 mi out & backGain: 1,174 ftDifficulty: ModerateRating: 4.7★Where: Griffith Park
If you only do one hike in Los Angeles, make it this one. The Canyon Drive approach climbs steadily through Griffith Park and delivers you to the back of the Hollywood Sign, with the letters below you and downtown spread out beyond. It is the photo everyone wants, and the route is long enough to feel like a real outing without being technical.
Go early. Parking on Canyon Drive fills fast on weekends, the climb is exposed once you leave the lower canyon, and the light is far better before mid-morning. There is shade at the start and water is worth carrying the whole way. Dogs are welcome on leash. Full trail details on AllTrails.
2. Ferndell to Griffith Observatory Loop — best for families and sunset
Distance: 2.6 mi loopGain: 613 ftDifficulty: ModerateRating: 4.8★Where: Griffith Park
This is the friendliest way to earn a great view in LA. You start in the shaded, fern-lined Ferndell creek area, wind up to the Griffith Observatory, and get the postcard angle of the Hollywood Sign on one side and the city on the other. At under three miles, it suits kids and casual hikers, and parts of the lower section are accessible enough for strollers.
Time it for late afternoon and stay for sunset over the observatory. It gets busy, so arrive with a parking plan or hike up from Ferndell rather than circling the lots. See the route on AllTrails.
3. Mount Hollywood Trail — 360-degree views without the crowds
Distance: 3.0 mi loopGain: 508 ftDifficulty: ModerateRating: 4.8★Where: Griffith Park
Mount Hollywood is the highest easy-to-reach summit in Griffith Park, and the payoff is a genuine 360-degree panorama: the Hollywood Sign, downtown towers, the observatory dome, and on a clear day the ocean. It is a manageable climb that most reasonably fit hikers can knock out in well under two hours.
Spring brings wildflowers along the upper switchbacks. There is little shade up top, so this one is best in the morning or as a cool-evening loop. Trail info on AllTrails.
4. Runyon Canyon Loop — the quick Hollywood Hills workout
Distance: 1.9 mi loopGain: 515 ftDifficulty: ModerateRating: 4.7★Where: Hollywood Hills
Runyon is the hike Angelenos squeeze in before work. It is short, steep enough to count as exercise, and it tops out at Inspiration Point with a clean line of sight straight down the city grid. It is also LA’s unofficial dog park on a hill, and one of the few popular trails where off-leash pups are part of the scene.
Expect company, especially on weekend mornings, and expect to see a few familiar faces given the neighborhood. Street parking around the Fuller Avenue entrance is tight, so build in a few extra minutes. Details on AllTrails.
5. Solstice Canyon — a shaded waterfall and stone ruins in Malibu
Distance: 2.9 mi loopGain: 666 ftDifficulty: ModerateRating: 4.7★Where: Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu
Solstice Canyon trades city skyline for something quieter: a creekside walk to a small seasonal waterfall and the burned-out stone shell of the old Roberts Ranch house, which has a strangely beautiful, overgrown feel. It is shadier than most LA hikes, which makes it a smart pick when the inland trails are baking.
The waterfall runs best in late winter and spring after rain. The lower trail is gentle, the loop adds a bit of climb, and the whole thing pairs well with an afternoon at the nearby Malibu beaches. See it on AllTrails.
6. Escondido Falls — the tallest waterfall near LA
Distance: 3.6 mi out & backGain: 475 ftDifficulty: ModerateRating: 4.6★Where: Escondido Canyon, Malibu
Escondido Falls is the headline waterfall of the Santa Monica Mountains, a multi-tiered cascade tucked into a green Malibu canyon. The walk in is mostly mellow, following the creek through oak and sycamore before the lower falls open up in front of you.
This is a seasonal show, so go after winter or spring rain when the water is actually flowing. The small trailhead lot fills early and the canyon can get muddy, so reasonable shoes help. Trail details on AllTrails.
7. Upper Zuma Falls via Backbone Trail — a longer, wilder Malibu day
Distance: 6.2 mi out & backGain: 984 ftDifficulty: ModerateRating: 4.6★Where: Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu
When you want more than a quick loop, Zuma Canyon delivers a proper half-day. Linking in along the Backbone Trail, you drop into a rugged canyon with stream crossings, chaparral, and far fewer people than the marquee trails. It feels genuinely remote despite being a short drive from the coast.
Footing is rougher here and the creek crossings can be tricky after rain, so it suits hikers who already have a few LA trails under their belt. Carry plenty of water; the exposed stretches get hot. See the route on AllTrails.
8. Debs Park Loop — the Northeast LA hike locals keep quiet
Distance: 2.9 mi loopGain: 646 ftDifficulty: ModerateRating: 4.6★Where: Ernest E. Debs Regional Park
Tucked between Highland Park and Montecito Heights, Debs Park is the kind of trail Eastside locals would rather you didn’t know about. The loop climbs to city and valley viewpoints and even passes a small lake, all without the crowds or the parking circus of the famous hills.
It is genuinely close to downtown, which makes it a great after-work option, and the mix of forest, ridge, and water keeps it interesting for the distance. Trail info on AllTrails.
Heads up: Eaton Fire closures (still in effect in 2026)
If you came looking for Eaton Canyon Falls, Echo Mountain, the Sam Merrill Trail, or the other San Gabriel front-range classics above Altadena and Pasadena, they are closed. The January 2025 Eaton Fire burned much of that trail system, and Los Angeles County and the U.S. Forest Service have kept the area shut to let the land recover and to protect hikers from unstable terrain. Current closure orders run through at least the end of 2027, and rangers are issuing fines to trespassers. Skip them for now and use the trails above instead.
When is the best time to hike in Los Angeles?
The sweet spot is late fall through spring (roughly November to April), when temperatures are mild and winter rain greens up the canyons and gets the waterfalls flowing. Summer hiking is very doable, but only early in the morning: inland trails like the Hollywood Sign climb get genuinely hot and exposed by midday. Year-round, the coolest, shadiest options are the coastal canyons in Malibu.
What to bring and know before you go
- Water, more than you think. LA trails are sunny and dry. Carry at least a liter, double that for the longer Malibu and Hollywood Sign routes.
- Sun protection. Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses. Shade is the exception, not the rule.
- Real shoes. Trail runners or hiking shoes beat fashion sneakers on the loose, rocky descents.
- Arrive early for parking. Nearly every popular trailhead fills by mid-morning on weekends. Early starts solve both heat and parking.
- Watch for ticks and poison oak in the brushier canyons, and give rattlesnakes a wide berth in warm months.
Are these LA hikes dog-friendly?
Mostly yes. Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon, and the Malibu canyon trails all allow dogs, though leash rules apply almost everywhere except parts of Runyon. National and state park sections can be stricter, so check signage at the trailhead. Always carry water for your dog too; hot pavement and exposed dirt are tough on paws.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous hike in Los Angeles?
The Hollywood Sign hike via Canyon Drive in Griffith Park is the most iconic, ending behind the letters with sweeping views of the city.
What is the easiest good hike in LA?
The Ferndell to Griffith Observatory loop is short, family-friendly, and still rewards you with classic Hollywood Sign and skyline views.
Are there waterfall hikes near Los Angeles?
Yes. Escondido Falls and Solstice Canyon in Malibu are the most reliable, especially in late winter and spring after rain. Note that the popular Eaton Canyon Falls remains closed after the 2025 Eaton Fire.
Can you hike to the Hollywood Sign?
You can hike to viewpoints right behind and beside the sign, but you cannot legally stand on the letters themselves, which are fenced and monitored. The Canyon Drive and Mount Hollywood routes give the best legal vantage points.
Which LA trails are closed right now?
As of 2026, the Eaton Canyon area and much of the San Gabriel front range above Altadena and Pasadena, including Echo Mountain and the Sam Merrill Trail, remain closed due to Eaton Fire damage, with closures expected to last through at least 2027.
Trail distances, elevation, and ratings are sourced from AllTrails (June 2026) and rounded for readability. Conditions and closures change, so always check the official park or forest alert before you head out.
