Great Places To Hike In Los Angeles

I read a good online article recently discussing the great places to hike around Los Angeles and, as someone who loves a good hike, I thought I'd throw in my two cents. Here are some of the best places to hike that are free or inexpensive, most allow dogs and the kids probably won't collapse half way into them.

The Griffith Park Trails are probably the most popular places to hike in L.A., and the three main trails are Bronson Canyon, Brush Canyon Trail and the Griffith Observatory West Trail Loop. The Bronson Canyon trail is famous for being where the entrance to the Batcave from the 1960's Batman TV show is located as well as having appeared in many movies such as The Searchers, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Star Trek VI. This is an easy hike that is just under a mile long.

The Brush Canyon trail is 2 miles long and is the place for peace and quiet, as well as spectacular views near Mount Hollywood Drive. This trail also leads to the Bronson caves as well as straight up to the Hollywood Sign.

The West Trail Loop hike starts at the Fern Dell picnic area near Los Feliz Blvd. You can pick up the trail near the creek past the restrooms. Stay to the right and head uphill toward the Griffith Observatory but be sure to stop and enjoy incredible views of Downtown along the way.

Runyon Canyon Loop is a 3-mile trail, known as the 'Heart of Hollywood Hike', and is really more of a social hike where you might bump into celebrities, check out multi-million dollar mansions in the Hollywood Hills and see amazing views of the Hollywood Sign, the Sunset Strip and the L.A. Basin at the trail summit (known as Cloud’s Rest). This is one of L.A.'s most dog-friendly hiking trails.

Franklin Canyon is a quieter alternative to Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park, which tend to get crowded. A short but steep climb up the park's trail provides a nearly 360-degree view of the area. Other highlights of the park include the reservoir and the Nature Center that offers interpretive hikes and other programs for the public on a weekly basis. 

The Eaton Canyon Trail is in Eaton Canyon Natural Area, a 190 acre zoological, botanical, and geological nature preserve situated at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains in Pasadena. Though not as well known as other hiking areas, it is one of the nicest trails in one of the nicest parks in Los Angeles and hikers can enjoy equestrian trails with a staging area, picnic areas, a seasonal stream, and native flora and fauna in their natural habitats. Hiking through the main canyon brings you to a 40-foot waterfall with a cooling mist and the small pool at its base. The Eaton Canyon Nature Center features a wonderful variety of live animals on display, fascinating exhibits and useful visitor information.

Obviously, these are just a few of the many options available and from Malibu to the Palos Verdes Peninsula you'll find plenty of breathtaking hikes. I would love to hear some suggestions for special hiking spots that I may not know about so please feel free to leave a comment here or on my Facebook page and let me know where your favorite L.A. hiking trails are.