As the song goes, “Nobody walks in LA.” But believe it or not, people do hike. There are endless hiking trail options in and around Los Angeles, so it’s sometimes tough to decide which one to go with.
Luckily, we’ve narrowed the long list down to 10 of the greatest hiking trails in Los Angeles. Check it out!
The Runyon Canyon Loops (Runyon Canyon Park)
Located in Hollywood toward the east end of the Santa Monica mountains, Runyon Canyon Park has, arguably, the most popular hiking trails in Los Angeles (and with a view to die for). If you’re in the market for a low-key hike, you can try the 1.65-mile loop with a 500-foot elevation gain, or if you’re looking for something slightly more intense, you can opt for the 2.65-mile loop with a 700-foot elevation gain. Runyon Park is an official dog park, so the trails are ideal for those looking to hike alongside their canine buddies. And did we mention the view already? From Griffith Park to the Hollywood sign to the entire city of Los Angeles, Runyon’s mountaintop views can’t be beat.
Bronson Canyon (a.k.a. “The Batcave Trail)
If you’ve lived in Los Angeles longer than a hot minute, you’ve probably heard about “The Batcave Trail.” Actually called the “Bronson Trail,” this hiking spot located in Griffith Park is a short, fun hike (less than a mile around) that is mainly popular for being a common movie and television filming location. Movies like Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Army of Darkness were filmed in the canyon, but the most popular filming spot is the Bronson Cave, which was used as the Batcave in the 1960s Batman television series.
Crags Road (Malibu Creek State Park)
This hiking trail is perfect for Angelenos who want to get out of Dodge for a bit. Located in Malibu, this beautifully scenic trail is filled with creeks as well as oak and sycamore woodlands. The biggest draw, though, is the end of the trail. Stretching out atop the mountain is the outdoor set of the famed television series M*A*S*H, which is still perfectly in tact for hikers to explore and enjoy.
Vasquez Rocks (Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park)
Another hiking destination just outside of Los Angeles (Agua Dulce) is this famous rock formation. The result of millions of years of seismic activity, these jutting rocks reach a staggeringly high 150 feet in elevation. There are numerous trails to follow here, all filled with beautiful scenery. And Star Trek fans will, of course, want to visit for the Vasquez Rocks’ famed presence in the 1960s Star Trek episode, “Arena.”
Eaton Canyon Trail (Eaton Canyon Natural Park)
Located in Pasadena, this gorgeous park is a botanical, zoological and geological nature preserve. Hikers will love its gorgeous trail but will also love the additional options, such as equestrian trails, picnicking areas and a staging area. The biggest draw, though, is the 40-foot waterfall at the end of the trail. The terrain leading up to the waterfall can be a little rugged, so come prepared. But it’s all, of course, worth it.
Solstice Canyon Trail (Solstice Canyon)
Another Malibu trail, this popular hiking spot is a lush and beautiful one. Check out this trail, which is about 3 miles around, to see the oldest living tree in Malibu and the dilapidated ruins of a 1950s mansion built by famed architect Paul Williams.
Rustic Canyon Loop (Will Rogers State Park)
This 6-mile-round trail, located in Santa Monica, is both lovely and filled with history that you can explore. After you’ve finished the trail, you can check out the (famously private) late star Will Rogers’ house, located in the park. You can even have a picnic on the front lawn!
Mount Baldy Trail (Mount San Antonio)
Located in the San Gabriel Valley, this mountain is the highest point in all of Los Angeles County and the third-highest peak in Southern California. This is definitely a tough one, so come prepared with water and comfortable shoes, but the leg work is definitely worth it to see the gorgeous, breathtaking view at the top.
Santa Anita Canyon
This beautiful river canyon hike loops by lovely old cabins and two gorgeous waterfalls. It is considered one of the most beautiful and scenic hikes in Southern California. There are also several campsites located in the canyon if you want to turn that hike into a camping trip!
Bridge to Nowhere (Coyote Flats)
In 1938, engineers attempted to cut a road here when a great flood washed most of their progress away. All that was left standing was a 12-foot concrete bridge that now leads to nowhere. The hike to and over this bridge is a tough one; it’s 10 miles around. But it’s definitely worth it to marvel at a piece of Los Angeles history.
After your hike you may want to check out one of these cafés that offer free wi-fi so you can upload and share some of those awesome photos you took on your adventure!
Sources:
http://www.hikespeak.com/trails/runyon-canyon-hike-hollywood-los-angeles/
http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/blog/hiking-los-angeles-las-best-trails