The 10 Best Hikes in Los Angeles (2026)

Updated October 2026 · 10 picks

The best hikes in Los Angeles in 2026 are Griffith Park's Mount Hollywood Trail for skyline views, Sandstone Peak for the highest summit in the Santa Monica Mountains, Solstice Canyon for an easy ruins-and-waterfall walk, Escondido Falls for a Malibu waterfall, and Runyon Canyon for a quick city workout. Malibu Creek, Franklin Canyon, Charmlee and Cheeseboro add quieter options.

The January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires closed many LA trails, and some are still affected. LA County's trails site has listed Eaton Canyon-area closures extending to the end of 2027, and State Parks lists a partial closure order for Topanga State Park's Topanga sector. This list leaves out burn-zone trails and sticks to trails whose managing agencies list them as open.

Trail status can change, especially on Red Flag Warning days, when Santa Monica Mountains parks close under a coordinated protocol announced by State Parks, the National Park Service and other agencies. Check the managing agency's page before you drive. For a hike that ends at the water, see our best beaches guide, or look at the best day trips from LA for bigger mountain and desert outings.

1. Mount Hollywood Trail — Griffith Park, Silver Lake & Los Feliz

Griffith Park's signature climb, with skyline and Hollywood Sign views.

Best for Views · Dogs · Families

The Mount Hollywood Trail starts at the Griffith Observatory parking lot and leads to the summit, with views across the LA basin. Griffith Park has a 53-mile network of trails, fire roads and bridle paths, so you can extend the hike in many directions.

The park is open daily from 5 AM to 10:30 PM, all trails close at dusk and bicycles are not allowed on trails. Dogs must be leashed.

Good to know: Call the Griffith Park Ranger Station at (323) 913-4688 for current trail closures, and start early since the Observatory lot fills quickly.

2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Google Maps Website

2. Sandstone Peak — Circle X Ranch, Malibu & Pacific Palisades

The highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains at 3,111 feet.

Best for Views · Workout · Dogs

The National Park Service calls Sandstone Peak the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. A climb of about 800 feet in the first mile from the trailhead leads to a short spur to the summit, with views on clear days that can take in the Channel Islands, the Conejo Valley and Malibu.

The nearby Mishe Mokwa Trail is rated moderate, with a 3.5-mile round trip to Split Rock according to NPS. Dogs are allowed on a leash. Watch for rattlesnakes, ticks and poison oak.

Good to know: The Sandstone Peak trailhead is 1 mile north of the Circle X Ranch contact station on Yerba Buena Rd. Call (805) 370-2301 for conditions, and bring water.

12896 Yerba Buena Rd, Malibu, CA 90265

Google Maps Website

3. Solstice Canyon — Malibu

Shaded canyon walk to the Roberts Ranch ruins and a waterfall.

Best for Beginners · Families · Dogs · Waterfall

Solstice Canyon is the easy Malibu hike: the Solstice Canyon Trail is paved for about half a mile, with a drinking fountain about a quarter mile up. It leads to the stone ruins of the Roberts Ranch house, designed by architect Paul Revere Williams in 1952, and a perennial waterfall.

The park service notes the waterfall can be only a trickle at times. The Rising Sun Trail is the more challenging climb. Dogs are allowed on a leash of six feet or less.

Good to know: The lot is reached by turning inland from PCH onto Corral Canyon Rd and driving 0.25 mile. The lot is open 8 AM to sunset, and the park can close on Red Flag Warning days.

Solstice Canyon Rd & Corral Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265

Google Maps Website

4. Escondido Falls — Malibu

Malibu's best-known waterfall hike, ending at the lower falls.

$ BudgetBest for Waterfall · Dogs · Views

The Edward Albert Trail through Escondido Canyon Natural Area leads to the lower tier of Escondido Falls. The MRCA lists the trail at 4.2 miles, and notes that the upper falls are closed to the public and public parkland ends at the base of the lower falls.

Parking is at the Winding Way lot. Dogs on leash are listed among the park's features. There are no restrooms beyond the PCH parking lot, and the area is a high fire risk zone.

Good to know: The MRCA lists parking at $12 at the Winding Way lot. Go after winter rain for the best flow, and do not climb to the upper falls.

27200 Winding Way, Malibu, CA 90265

Google Maps Website

5. Malibu Creek State Park — Malibu Canyon

Creek, Rock Pool and Century Lake trails plus the M*A*S*H site.

$ BudgetBest for Families · Beginners · Views

State Parks rates the Rock Pool and Century Lake routes as easy and the M*A*S*H site as moderate. A posted notice says the bridge to the M*A*S*H site has been removed and hikers cross Malibu Creek at their own risk.

A park document warns against swimming in the Rock Pool because of high bacteria levels, and diving and jumping from rocks is prohibited. Dogs are not allowed on hiking trails or dirt roads.

Good to know: Day-use parking is $12 all day or $3 per hour, and the lot is open 8 AM to 10 PM. The visitor center is open weekends from noon to 4 PM.

1925 Las Virgenes Rd, Calabasas, CA 91302

Google Maps Website

6. Runyon Canyon Park — Hollywood

City-run urban hike above Hollywood with designated off-leash areas.

Best for Workout · Dogs · Views

Runyon Canyon is the quick-workout hike in the middle of the city, open daily from sunrise to sunset. The city lists designated off-leash dog areas, and dogs must not be left unattended.

The city's park page has said the West Trail was closed until further notice after a fire, with the rest of the park open, so check the page before you go.

Good to know: Weekday mornings are easiest. The city has closed the park early around July 4, so check holiday hours.

2000 N Fuller Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Google Maps Website

7. Hollywood Sign via Brush Canyon — Griffith Park, Hollywood

Hike toward the Hollywood Sign on Griffith Park trails.

Best for Views · Workout · Dogs

The city says you can hike toward the Hollywood Sign along trails in Griffith Park but cannot get close to it. The Brush Canyon Trail is one of the three main routes, along with the Mount Hollywood Trail and the Cahuenga Peak Trail, according to the Hollywood Sign Trust.

The Trust describes Brush Canyon as a six-mile out-and-back that takes about three hours, though its pages give slightly different distances.

Good to know: Parking near the trailhead is limited. The Trust suggests taking the DASH Observatory shuttle, and all Griffith Park trails close at dusk.

Canyon Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Google Maps Website

8. Hastain Trail at Franklin Canyon Park — Beverly Hills

Short, steep fire-road climb to a canyon and ocean overlook.

Best for Views · Families · Dogs · Workout

Franklin Canyon Park has over five miles of trails. The MRCA lists the Hastain Trail at 2.3 miles round trip, moderate to strenuous, climbing a fire road to an overlook, and describes the Discovery Trail as 0.3 miles and easy.

The park lists dogs on leash among its features, and says LADWP road repairs are complete and both gates are open to vehicle traffic.

Good to know: Check the MRCA site for parking and hours before you go, since the park page does not list them.

2600 Franklin Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Google Maps Website

9. Charmlee Wilderness Park — Malibu

City of Malibu preserve with over eight miles of trails and ocean views.

Best for Views · Families · Sunset

Charmlee is a roughly 532-acre City of Malibu park with over eight miles of hiking trails, picnic areas and native plants, per the city. The park is open daily from 8 AM to sunset.

The nature center is currently closed, and the park closes during Red Flag Warnings.

Good to know: The city runs sunset hikes at the park. Check its calendar and call (310) 456-2489 ext. 337 to confirm parking and dog rules.

2577 Encinal Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265

Google Maps Website

10. Cheeseboro and Palo Comado Canyons — Agoura Hills, San Fernando Valley

Open grassland and oak savanna trails with free parking.

Best for Dogs · Beginners · Views

Cheeseboro and Palo Comado Canyons form a trail hub in the northern Santa Monica Mountains, with hiking to Simi Peak and a stroll to Sulphur Springs. NPS suggests a moderate loop of about 3 miles combining the Cheeseboro Canyon and Modelo trails.

Dogs are allowed on leash and under control. The parking lot and trails are unpaved, and parking is free.

Good to know: The main lot is open 8 AM to sunset, and the NPS says to bring your own water. Call 818-889-8996 for conditions.

5792 Chesebro Rd, Agoura, CA 91301

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What is the best hike in Los Angeles?

Griffith Park's Mount Hollywood Trail is the most popular for views of the LA basin and the Hollywood Sign. For a bigger climb, Sandstone Peak in the Santa Monica Mountains reaches 3,111 feet, the highest point in the range, according to the National Park Service.

Which LA hikes are still closed after the 2025 fires?

Trails in the Eaton Canyon area and parts of Topanga State Park were affected, and LA County has listed some Eaton-area closures as extending through the end of 2027. Check the managing agency's alerts page before any trail near Altadena, Pacific Palisades or Topanga.

Where can I hike with my dog in LA?

Griffith Park, Solstice Canyon, Sandstone Peak, Cheeseboro Canyon and Franklin Canyon allow leashed dogs, and Runyon Canyon has designated off-leash areas. Dogs are not allowed on the hiking trails in Malibu Creek State Park.

What is the best easy hike in LA?

Solstice Canyon's paved first half mile and the Rock Pool route at Malibu Creek State Park, which State Parks rates as easy, are good picks. Franklin Canyon's 0.3-mile Discovery Trail is the shortest.

Are there waterfalls near Los Angeles?

Escondido Falls in Malibu is the best known. The public trail ends at the lower falls, as the upper falls are closed to the public. Solstice Canyon also has a perennial waterfall, though the park service notes it can be only a trickle.

Do I need to pay or reserve to hike in LA?

Not usually. Trails themselves are free, but some trailheads charge for parking, such as $12 at the Escondido Falls lot and $12 for a day at Malibu Creek. Cheeseboro Canyon has free parking according to the National Park Service.

1. Mount Hollywood Trail — Griffith Park, Silver Lake & Los Feliz

2. Sandstone Peak — Circle X Ranch, Malibu & Pacific Palisades

3. Solstice Canyon — Malibu

4. Escondido Falls — Malibu

5. Malibu Creek State Park — Malibu Canyon

6. Runyon Canyon Park — Hollywood

7. Hollywood Sign via Brush Canyon — Griffith Park, Hollywood

8. Hastain Trail at Franklin Canyon Park — Beverly Hills

9. Charmlee Wilderness Park — Malibu

10. Cheeseboro and Palo Comado Canyons — Agoura Hills, San Fernando Valley

Frequently asked questions

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