Hiking in Los Angeles
When you think of Hiking in Los Angeles, a mix of urban energy and rugged natural landscapes that turn everyday walks into full-day adventures. Also known as urban hiking, it’s not just about climbing hills—it’s about finding silence between skyscrapers, spotting wildlife near freeways, and standing on ridges with the Pacific on one side and the city on the other. You don’t need to drive hours to find real wilderness. Just step out your door in LA and you’re minutes from a trail that drops into a canyon, climbs to a cross, or winds through wildflowers still blooming in March.
Many people assume hiking means remote mountains and heavy packs. But here, it’s often a 30-minute walk from your car to a 360-degree view of the whole basin. The Griffith Park, the largest urban park in the U.S., covering over 4,200 acres with trails that lead straight to the Hollywood Sign is where locals go to clear their heads. You’ll see runners, dog walkers, and families—no one’s out here to prove something. Then there’s Runyon Canyon, a popular loop with rock scrambles and celebrity sightings, where the trail is packed but the views are worth every step. It’s not the most peaceful spot, but it’s the most alive.
For quieter options, head to Elysian Park, a hidden gem near Dodger Stadium with trails that climb to forgotten water towers and overlook downtown without the crowds. Or try the Malibu Creek State Park, a 1,200-acre canyon where M*A*S*H was filmed, with rocky paths along a year-round creek and old movie sets tucked into the brush. These aren’t tourist traps—they’re places locals return to again and again because they feel real.
What makes hiking in Los Angeles special isn’t the altitude or the distance. It’s the contrast. You can be in a traffic jam at 8 a.m., then be standing on a ridge at 10 a.m., looking down at the same cars, now tiny and still. The air smells different up there—cleaner, sharper. You hear birds instead of horns. And you realize this city wasn’t built to keep you inside. It was built so you could escape, even if just for an hour.
You don’t need special gear. Just good shoes, water, and a little curiosity. Most trails are well-marked, free, and open early. Some even have public restrooms. No permits. No fees. Just you, the trail, and the view that waits at the top. Whether you’re here for a weekend or you’ve lived here your whole life, there’s a path you haven’t taken yet. And it’s probably closer than you think.
Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve hiked these trails—what they saw, what surprised them, and what they wish they’d known before they went. No fluff. Just the facts, the tips, and the moments that made those hikes stick with them.
