Exploring the Top Hiking Trails in Los Angeles

Let’s Get Thrilled with Adrenaline-Pumping Hiking Trails Of LA

Despite the bustling entertainment scene, Los Angeles and its surrounding areas within LA County boast hundreds of hiking trails ranging from heart-pounding workouts to serene strolls. Whether you're seeking refreshing mists from waterfalls or panoramic vistas, the best hikes in Los Angeles promise unforgettable experiences.

So, if you’re yearning to hike one of the best hikes in LA but are in two minds, then this guide presents you with the most electrifying hiking places. So, hear us out!

You can conveniently access this trail via gates near Hollywood Boulevard to the south or Mulholland Drive to the north, offering options for dirt paths or paved roads depending on your chosen route. Spanning 2.7 miles, this trail presents a challenging hike with rewarding views of the cityscape and nearby mountains. Renowned for its geological formations, the trail follows a ridge line, providing hikers with up-close encounters with rock boulders and stunning outcroppings along the way.

The Escondido Falls Canyon Trail offers an adventurous trek, weaving through streams and leading to a breathtaking 150-foot cascading waterfall. Prepare for some rock-hopping as you navigate the trail. For a more challenging ascent, consider hiking upward along a clear route to the right side of the falls, leading you to the mesmerizing Escondido Falls.

Griffith Park offers an abundance of trails for hiking and horseback riding, along with stunning attractions like the Art Deco Griffith Observatory. For a family-friendly hike, consider the Charlie Turner Trail, or opt for the Mount Hollywood Trail for a more challenging adventure. Along the way, take a break from the sun and explore the indigenous plant garden at serene Dante’s View or the peaceful Berlin Forest, where you'll find a refreshing water fountain. From there, it's just a short quarter-mile walk to one of the best vantage points to catch a majestic, eye-level view of the iconic Hollywood sign.

For those seeking a thrilling adventure, the Paseo Miramar Trail offers one of the best hikes in LA. This 5-mile round trip hike leads to the Overlook of Parker Mesa, providing stunning views of Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and Santa Monica. With a steep elevation gain of 1,236 feet, this hike promises both excitement and breathtaking scenery.

Eaton Canyon Falls in Altadena is a year-round famous trail with families as it is easy to navigate even with kids. This 3-mile trail, one of the best hiking places in LA, passes over rock-strewn canyons as well as a few streams to a foggy 40-foot magical waterfall, cascading into a lovely tiny pond. Plus, dogs on leash are also allowed at this trail.

Choose the Moonridge Trail for a sunny stroll through scrub plains that might evoke nostalgia for fans of classic Disney Westerns from the 50s and 60s. This trail cuts across Tepee Trail and turns to the left and several steps further will take you to the Arroyo Conejo Canyon views. A quarter mile more you will reach Paradise Falls, featuring a 40-foot dramatic cascade that looks even more impressive in the dry season. Make sure to visit Indian Cave Trail located just half a mile away.

Malibu, a great place to go hiking in Los Angeles can be accessible from the park entrance away from Corral Canyon Road. You will first come across Keller House and after covering a half mile, there’s come a Roberts Ranch House. Hike the Rising Sun Trail to get back to the spot while rewarding your senses with the incredible Pacific views via the canyon.

The Corral Canyon Loop Trail offers a moderately challenging hike spanning 2.5 miles through the sprawling 1000-acre wilderness of Corral Canyon Park. Along the way, hikers are treated to exhilarating views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding mountains, making for an action-packed adventure. During your picturesque journey, you'll encounter a 700-acre of the Cameron Nature Preserve at Puerco Canyon. This stunning landscape includes a walk along a marine terrace and beside a coastal bluff, adorned with alder, coast live oak, California sycamore trees, and willows. You're welcome to bring along your furry friend on a leash as you traverse through the woods. Be sure to set aside some time for a relaxing picnic at the Sara Wan Trailhead, adding a delightful touch to your outdoor adventure.

Wrapping up, with an abundance of the best hiking trails Los Angeles, scattered throughout the city, outdoor enthusiasts can embark on exhilarating journeys filled with breathtaking scenery and the refreshing sight of misty waterfalls tumbling from great heights. So, lace up your hiking boots and start your day at the crack of dawn, soaking in panoramic views and immersing yourself in the beauty of nature.