Los Angeles Hiking Guide
Many people think of Los Angeles as an urban jungle far removed from the natural landscapes most hikers seek out. Fortunately, for Angelenos and outdoorsy visitors to the city the Los Angeles hiking scene offers many options for escaping the urban sprawl.
This guide to hiking trails in and around Los Angeles is an ever-growing list of hikes that will bring you to coastal bluffs and beaches as well as on alpine adventures. It’s not exhaustive, as there are many, many trails in the region. But these are hikes that our writers think are worth considering, whether because of their ease of access or the experience they offer.
Corbin Canyon Trail
Corbin Canyon Trail is a charming two-mile loop hike in Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. This easy hike brings you to diverse vegetation, scenic mountain views and the solitude of a largely undiscovered state park.
Inspiration Loop Trail
If you’re in need of a quick, family-friendly hike with great lookouts along the way, try Inspiration Loop Trail in Will Rogers State Historic Park. The 2.1-mile loop climbs a mere 324 feet along a wide, smooth path, but don’t let the easy incline fool you.
Las Virgenes View Trail
Nestled amongst the Santa Monica Mountains and adjacent to the popular Malibu Creek State Park lies the lesser-known Las Virgenes View Trail, an undemanding 4-mile hike offering an incredible display of wildlife, flora, and views galore.
Getty View Trail
The Getty View Trail is the ultimate city hike, bringing you up into the Santa Monica Mountains for birds-eyes views of the deep canyons as well as the 405 freeway. The out-and-back trail is 2.6 miles round trip and has a steady but doable incline that’s sure to get your heart rate up.
Los Liones Trail
The Los Liones Trail is one of the best hikes in Los Angeles and takes you through the incredible biodiversity of Topanga State Park. The 7.3-mile out-and-back trail winds up a lush canyon before opening up to a wide fire road and climbs a total of 1,190 feet.
Steep Canyon Trail
Steep Canyon Trail is a 1.8-mile easy-to-moderate hiking trail located in Diamond Bar, California. A year-round trail that is a short loop, the route can be completed in less than an hour and boasts a large range of truly unique scenery.
Backbone Trail
The Backbone Trail is a long-distance trail stretching 67 miles through the Santa Monica Mountains near Los Angeles. The Backbone, which was officially opened in the summer of 2016, crosses the best-protected stretch of coastal Mediterranean habitat in the world and offers an amazing diversity of trail experiences.
Lower Canyonback Trail
Located in the Westridge Canyonback Wilderness Park, the Lower Canyonback Trail is a straightforward path along a fire road that takes you through the eastern Santa Monica Mountains. The trail climbs 600 feet over a total of 4.2 miles, and there are plenty of steep cutaway trails if you want a more challenging hike.
San Gabriel Mountains Hiking Trails
The San Gabriel Mountains, which rise to the northeast of Los Angeles, offer numerous hiking trails and other wilderness adventures. The mountains are located within Angeles National Forest.
Wildwood Canyon Trail
Wildwood Canyon Trail is a steep, challenging 5 mile out-and-back hike in Burbank, California, offering stunning views of the San Fernando Valley.
Fryman Canyon Trail
The Nancy Pohl Overlook trail at the top of Fryman Canyon in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, is a popular, highly trafficked 1.5-mile loop on the north side of Mulholland Drive.
Veterans Park Trail
The Veterans Park Trail is a moderately difficult 2.2-mile dirt loop located just north of the Veterans Memorial Community Regional Park in Sylmar, the northernmost neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles.
Point Dume Trail
Located near Malibu, Point Dume offers coastal trails, unparalleled ocean scenery, tide pooling, and stunning wildflower blooms in the spring. With only 347 feet in elevation gain, it’s a quick and easy hike that offers many rewards.
Bluff Cove Trail
Bluff Cove Trail is a 1.1-mile out-and-back trail that brings you to terrific views of the Pacific Ocean and down to a rocky beach. Located in Palos Verdes, California, the trail is popular for sunset hikes and a side spur offers access to Flat Rock Point a rugged point with many tide pools to explore at low tide.
Terranea Beach Cave Trail
Terranea Beach Cave Trail is an easy 2-mile hike in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, that offers stunning ocean vistas and the opportunity to explore a beach cave.
If you are looking to get a bit further afield, be sure to check out our guide to national parks near Los Angeles, which features parks that are within a day’s drive of the city.
Also, if you like hiking at sunset, you’ll love our guide to 11 terrific sunset trails in Los Angeles.
