10 Best Hiking Trails Around Los Angeles

The Griffith Observatory West Trail Loop is a fairly easy trail that takes you alongside the titular observatory where you'll see the basin and the famous Hollywood sign. The trail stretches about 2.5 miles in length and takes you directly to the observatory if you want to step off and visit the iconic building. Once you've reached the observatory, it's mostly downhill the rest of the way, so the hike is a bit more relaxing. You'll find the starting point at the Fern Dell picnic area by Los Feliz Boulevard.

Brush Canyon Trail is a quiet trail away from the hustle and bustle of the city that will take you through Mount Hollywood and a canyon. This trail is about 2 miles long and offers a peaceful walk through Mount Hollywood and the Pacific Electric Quarry. You'll notice about three-quarters of the way into the trail that it intersects with the popular Mulholland Trail. The entrance to this trail can be found just past Bronson Park on the fire road by the quarry.

The Runyon Canyon Loop will keep you close to the Hollywood Hills and all the people there, allowing for some great people-watching and potential celebrity sightings. The trail is quite easy, so beginner hikers can enjoy its offerings too. Along this trail, you'll find yourself reaching Cloud's Rest, which is a stunning viewpoint you're going to want to make time for. The trail is about 3 miles round-trip. You'll find the entrance at the end of Fuller Avenue when you come in from Hollywood Boulevard.

Discovery Trail will take you through Franklin Canyon Park, which was frequently used as a filming location for a variety of classic films. The Discovery Trail is fairly easy, being just a mile-long round trip, but you'll find 5 miles of trails in total throughout the park. Some iconic movies have been filmed here, and you still may recognize parts of the trail that were featured. For example, the fishing hole in the intro sequence of "The Andy Griffith Show" was filmed here, as were scenes from the "Creature from the Black Lagoon." You'll find the trail around the Sooky Goldman Nature Center and Franklin Canyon Lake.

The Rustic Canyon Loop is an iconic trail through Will Rogers State Park that will take you through the remnants of an abandoned ranch. The history of this trail is rather dark, as you'll find yourself venturing past a ranch that was once controlled by Nazi sympathizers. The ruins are bizarre and open to exploration. Keep in mind that this trail can get quite rough at points, as the park service warns the area is simply unmaintainable. As a consequence, only experienced hikers should attempt this trail. You'll find the entrance in Will Rogers State Park.

Los Liones Trail is a challenging hike that will take you through steep climbs and reward you with stunning views from the bluff. The trail is about a 7-miles round-trip, so be prepared for a lengthy hike before you set out. Throughout the trail, you'll achieve an elevation increase of about 1,300 feet that culminates in Parker Mesa Overlook. This viewpoint offers scenic views of the area, and there are benches set up there so you can relax or enjoy a bit of lunch. You'll find the entrance in Pacific Palisades at the end of Los Liones Drive.

Escondido Canyon is a satisfying trail that rewards all your hard work with views of a breathtaking waterfall at the end. The trail is 4.2 miles round-trip, so you can reach the waterfall after about 2.1 miles. You can enjoy quite a bit of tree covering during the trek, but it's not constant. Keep in mind that this trail crosses the Escondido Canyon Creek a few times throughout its length. If it has rained recently, your feet are going to get wet, so prepare accordingly. You'll find the trailhead off East Winding Way past Latigo Canyon Road.

Vasquez Rocks is a trail that showcases some impressive natural history and odd geological formations resulting from millions of years of seismic activity and erosion. The unique rocks are notable not only for their shape but for their use as well. If you're a "Star Trek" fan, you'll recognize them from the set of Kirk's battle with Gorn. The trail is quite easy to traverse and can be traveled on foot or, as is popular here, on horseback. Keep in mind that there's hardly any shade, so you should prepare accordingly. You'll find the entrance a few miles north of LA past the Angeles National Forest.