Top Hiking Spots Near Los Angeles
Lydia Schrandt is a writer, editor, and award-winning photographer currently based in Houston. She’s a contributor for USA TODAY 10Best and serves as the first chair of the Editors Council of the Society of American Travel Writers. Her work has appeared in Draft, Time Out Beijing, Travel+, USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle, and others.
Lydia Schrandt is a writer, editor, and award-winning photographer currently based in Houston. She’s a contributor for USA TODAY 10Best and serves as the first chair of the Editors Council of the Society of American Travel Writers. Her work has appeared in Draft, Time Out Beijing, Travel+, USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle, and others.
Hi, I'm Lydia!Lydia Schrandt is a writer, editor, and award-winning photographer currently based in Houston. She’s a contributor for USA TODAY 10Best and serves as the first chair of the Editors Council of the Society of American Travel Writers. Her work has appeared in Draft, Time Out Beijing, Travel+, USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle, and others.
Hi, I'm Lydia!Lydia Schrandt is a writer, editor, and award-winning photographer currently based in Houston. She’s a contributor for USA TODAY 10Best and serves as the first chair of the Editors Council of the Society of American Travel Writers. Her work has appeared in Draft, Time Out Beijing, Travel+, USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle, and others.
Los Angeles might not be the first place you think of when it comes to hiking, but the City of Angels has plenty of great trails to explore. Here’s a guide to some of the top spots in the area worth discovering.
Runyon Canyon Park
3 miles (5 kilometers)
This 160-acre (65-hectare) park attracts fitness-minded locals to its easily accessible trails, just north of Hollywood. The 3-mile (5-kilometer) Runyon Canyon Loop affords views of the Hollywood Sign, Sunset Strip, and even the occasional celebrity.
Griffith Park Trails
One of the largest urban parks in North America, Griffith Park has loads of hiking trails to choose from for hikers of all abilities. Many trails lead to the iconic Hollywood Sign, but other points of interest include the Griffith Observatory, Wisdom Tree, and Bronson Canyon.
Will Rogers State Historic Park
2 miles (3 kilometers)
The main road to this California state park lies just off Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades. One of the most popular trails takes hikers on a 2-mile (3-kilometer) loop through the eucalyptus-filled grounds of humorist Will Rogers’ estate to Inspiration Point.
Mount Baldy
10 miles (16 kilometers)
Serious peak baggers won’t want to miss a hike to the top of Mount Baldy, the highest point in Los Angeles County at 10,064 feet (3,068 meters). Situated in the San Gabriel Mountains about an hour’s drive east of LA, this 10-mile (16-kilometer) ridge-line loop offers stellar views most of the way.
Malibu Creek State Park
15 miles (24 kilometers)
Hikers will find 15 miles (24 kilometers) of streamside trails winding through oak and sycamore woodlands within the bounds of Malibu Creek State Park. Easy hikes keep to the canyon floor, while those looking for a challenge can climb the Castro Crest ridge.
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