Where to Hike in LA if you Hate Hiking (but still want the pics)
You don’t have to be a nature enthusiast to enjoy LA’s scenic trails—especially if you’re just in it for the Instagram moments. These hikes keep the sweat minimal and the photo ops top-tier (all descriptions we're gathered from All Trails!).
Hollywood Sign via Innsdale Drive
Level: Easy
Length : 1.8 mi
Location: Griffith Park
Check out this 1.8-mile out-and-back trail near Los Angeles, California. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 47 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, running, and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Mulholland Drive to Fryman Canyon
Level: Easy
Length: 2.3 mi
Location: Fryman Canyon Park
Discover this 2.3-mile out-and-back trail near Los Angeles, California. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 5 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.
Inspiration Point Loop
Level: Easy
Length: 2.2 mi
Location: Will Rogers State Historic Park
Head out on this 2.2-mile loop trail near Pacific Palisades, California. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 0 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Bronson Caves
Level: Easy
Length: 0.7 mi
Location: Griffith Park
Bronson Canyon, or Bronson Caves, is a section of Griffith Park in Los Angeles that has become famous as a filming location, especially known for the "bat cave" scenes in the Batman TV series of the 1960s. It's an easy, off-leash, kid-friendly hike with much more strenuous extensions available.
Corral Canyon Loop
Level: Moderate
Length: 2.4 mi
Location: Corral Canyon Park
This loop is a good alternative to some of the other, more popular trails in the area. During the spring and early summer, there are beautiful wildflowers that cover the hillsides with a backdrop of ocean views. This trail is known to be very overgrown, so wearing long pants and sturdy footwear is recommended. There is little shade along the way, so bring a hat and plenty of water.
Eaton Canyon Falls from Pinecrest Drive
Level: Moderate
Length: 1.6 mi
Location: Angeles National Forest
The Pinecrest Gate to Eaton Canyon Waterfalls is a shorter version of the normal Eaton Canyon hike. Visitors can park along neighborhood streets nearby and walk into the park through the gate. Visitors can meet up with the main Eaton Canyon trail by crossing the Mount Wilson Bridge, heading downhill at the fork at the other end, and then turning around and going underneath the same bridge they just came over to get to the waterfall.
Murphy Ranch Trail
Level: Moderate
Length: 3.4 mi
Location: Rustic Canyon Park
This hike involves stairs and quite a lot of them! The road there has great views of the coastline. First part of the walk is on a road. You have to park in the neighborhood and follow the road to the trailhead. There’s no shade on the road. You come to a yellow gate that blocks cars, keep going. You’ll come to another fence with an opening and you’ll see stairs to the right. 524 steps.
Canyonback Trail
Level: Easy
Length: 3.0 mi
Locaiton: Encino
Enjoy this 3.0-mile out-and-back trail near Encino, California. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 18 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Bluffs Creek Trail
Level: Easy
Length: 4.2 mi
Location: Playa Del Rey
Experience this 4.2-mile loop trail near Playa Del Rey, California. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 18 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
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