LA Hikes

Los Angeles, despite its bustling urban nature, offers a variety of unique and lesser-known hiking opportunities that can provide solace away from the crowds of Runyon Canyon, Eaton Canyon, and the busy parts of Griffith Park. If you’re looking to explore some of the more uncommon hikes in LA, consider these:

1. Trail Canyon Falls: A 4-mile round trip hike that brings you to a 30-foot waterfall nestled in Tujunga. Best to visit after some rains when the falls are more active.
2. Cobb Estate to Echo Mountain: Start from the haunted gates of Cobb Estate and hike to Echo Mountain. Here, you’ll find remnants of an old resort and railway, providing a bit of historical flair to the scenic journey.
3. Debs Park: Located in Northeast LA, this park is often overlooked for the more popular Griffith Park. However, it offers serene hiking trails and great views of Downtown LA.
4. Charmlee Wilderness Park: Located over in Malibu, it might be a bit of a drive for some, but its coastal views and spring wildflower displays are worth it.
5. Fish Canyon Falls: A somewhat challenging trek, especially after rains due to creek crossings, but you are rewarded with a stunning waterfall at the end.
6. Vanalden Cave: Short yet exciting, this trail in the Santa Monica Mountains leads to a sandstone cave decorated with interesting, albeit sometimes controversial, graffiti.
7. Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park: Situated in Tarzana, this park offers hikes that present outstanding valley views and is a gateway to the larger Santa Monica Mountains trail system.
8. Oak Tree Park: Located in the Santa Clarita Valley, it’s a quiet park with gentle trails and lovely valley views.
9. Portuguese Bend Reserve: Nestled on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, it offers unique geological features, ocean views, and a series of interconnected trails.
10. Ascot Hills Park: Located in East LA, this park provides panoramic views of the Downtown skyline and San Gabriel Mountains. It’s often missed by tourists but is a treasure for locals.

When considering any hike, especially those that are less trafficked, always check for current conditions, respect the environment, pack out what you bring in, and make sure someone knows where you’re going.