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Los Angeles

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Overview

Exploring one of Los Angeles' many parks, open spaces, or surrounding National Forests continues to be one of the best ways to escape the most populous county in the U.S. Ranging from the coastal trails above Malibu stretching out toward Point Mugu State Park, to the city vistas above the Hollywood Hills in Griffith Park and the Griffith Observatory, there are lots of opportunities for easy and moderate hikes.

For the more experienced hiker or exercise fiend, the Santa Monica Mountains to the west or San Gabriel Mountains to the northeast are home to many challenging hikes like up and around Mount Wilson, along the Verdugo Crest Trail, or to the summit of Sandstone Peak. There's no shortage of elevation to gain with expansive, rewarding views along the way.

For hikes with historical or cultural significance, the Hollywood Sign has become a rite of passage, but the M*A*S*H relics at Malibu Creek State Park or ruins at Murphy Ranch are also worth the visit.

Easy hikes:

  • Eaton Falls
  • Sturtevant Falls
  • Arroyo Seco
  • Peter's Canyon Loop
  • Intermediate hikes:

  • Bridge to Nowhere - East Fork Trail #8W13
  • Top of the World Loop
  • Hollywood Sign and Bronson Caves
  • Filiorum & Portuguese Bend Loop
  • Difficult hikes:

  • Mount Wilson
  • Parker Mesa Overlook
  • San Antonio Falls - Sierra Club Ski Hut - Devil's Backbone
  • Inspiration Point - Murphy Ranch Out-and-Back
  • Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon
  • Visiting Tips

    It should come as no surprise that riding in L.A. can be hot and dry. With that in mind, always bring some water and sun protection, but also consider the non-summer months, like Spring and Fall, for some of the best times to get out, with summer warmth lasting into October, especially on the Eastside. February-April can be a great time for nice temps, blooming wildflowers, and spotting gray whales as they return north from their calving grounds off Baja and coastal western Mexico.

    Camping & Lodging

    You'll find lots of hike-in camping options throughout the San Gabriel Mountains. The Forest Service maintains most of these first-come, first-served sites like the Gould Mesa Trail Camp off the Gabrielino Trail (NRT) 11W14 or the Bear Canyon Campsite on the Bear Canyon Trail Camp hike from the Switzer Picnic Area.

    For drive-up campgrounds, check out the Manker Flats Campground near San Antonio Falls or the Chilao Campground near Big Tujunga Canyon and the Silver Moccasin Trail.

    Along the Malibu coastline in the Santa Monica Mountains, you can find established camping in one of these four state parks:
    • Leo Carrillo State Park: Hike and Bike ($10/person), Canyon Family ($45/night), Group Walk-In ($225/night)
    • Point Mugu State Park: Big Sycamore Canyon Hike/Bike ($10/person), Big Sycamore Canyon Family Camp ($45/night), and much more.
    • Malibu Creek State Park: Malibu Creek Family Campground ($45/night), Malibu Creek Group Camp Walk-In ($200/night)
    • Topanga State Park: Musch Camp Backcountry Hike-In ($7/person/night and $10/night parking fee)

    Food & Drink

    After a hike at Griffith Park, like the lesser-known Beacon Hill Loop, check out Proof Bakery for all your pastry and coffee needs. Or just down Eisenhurst Ave is The Village Bakery and Cafe for a casual lunch option. On the Westside, near Will Rogers State Park, the post-hike go-to is a Godmother sandwich from Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery.

    Other Activities

    Los Angeles is a cultural hub with endless arts, shopping, and food for the rare rainy day (February is the rainiest month) or, more likely, when the heat is just too much. After signing up with a TAP account, hop on a Metro Bike Share bike for a free 30-minute ride and find yourself in a new neighborhood with more to explore just around the corner.

    Recommended Routes in Los Angeles - 33

    MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

    Favorite Down the Luge. Shot by DPCAero.com
    Difficult Difficult

    The Luge Loop

    7.7 mi 12.4 km 1,227' Up 373.89 m Up 1,203' Down 366.69 m Down

    Portola…, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Big gaps on a hidden line. Respect their work and don't walk on the jumps please.
    Intermediate Intermediate

    Fullerton Loop

    11.2 mi 18.1 km 669' Up 203.99 m Up 679' Down 206.81 m Down

    Fullerton, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite This is just midway through the beauty !!!! Mud and Smile say's it all  : )
    Intermediate Intermediate

    Marshall Canyon

    10.4 mi 16.8 km 1,355' Up 413.03 m Up 1,356' Down 413.43 m Down

    La Verne, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Jen keeping it rolling through dusty ruts. Great trail for the area!
    Difficult Difficult

    El Prieto Loop

    8.3 mi 13.4 km 1,262' Up 384.6 m Up 1,263' Down 384.89 m Down

    La Caña…, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Climbing up, about a mile north of Mystic Cyn.
    Intermediate Intermediate

    Lower Monroe Truck Trail

    16.1 mi 25.9 km 2,319' Up 706.97 m Up 2,319' Down 706.93 m Down

    Glendora, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Lots of stream crossings on the way up Gabrielino Trail.  It's a challenge not to fall in at least once!
    Intermediate Intermediate

    Gabrielino Trail: JPL to the USFS Dam

    8.8 mi 14.1 km 577' Up 175.77 m Up 578' Down 176.14 m Down

    La Caña…, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Erik hittin' switches just below the Ken Burton Memorial, a fine morning in the ANF.
    Difficult Difficult

    Ken Burton Loop

    14.8 mi 23.7 km 2,055' Up 626.5 m Up 2,058' Down 627.35 m Down

    La Caña…, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite One of the tougher sections that may require a dismount.
    Difficult Difficult

    Las Llajas/Chumash Loop

    9.1 mi 14.7 km 1,523' Up 464.09 m Up 1,518' Down 462.62 m Down

    Santa S…, CA
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite One of the tougher sections that may require a dismount.
    Difficult Difficult

    Chumash/Hummingbird Loop

    8.9 mi 14.4 km 2,117' Up 645.26 m Up 2,144' Down 653.44 m Down

    Santa S…, CA
    Explore in 3D

    Los Angeles Biking

    • 468 Miles 754 Kilometers of Trail
    • 33 Recommended Routes
    • 56 Easy Trails Easy Trails
    • 210 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
    • 38 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
    MTB Project is built by riders like you. Share what you know about this area!

    Areas Within Los Angeles

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    Trails in Los Angeles - 271

    MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Trails

    1.8 mi 3.0 km #1Hummingbird
    Difficult Difficult
    Chatsworth, CA
    Difficult Difficult
    Chatsworth, CA 28 
    0.6 mi 1.0 km #2Telonics
    Difficult Difficult
    Laguna Beach, CA
    Difficult Difficult
    Laguna Beach, CA 19 
    9.1 mi 14.7 km #3Mt. Wilson Toll Road
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    Altadena, CA
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    Altadena, CA 27 
    2.6 mi 4.2 km #4Marshall Canyon Trail
    Intermediate Intermediate
    La Verne, CA
    Intermediate Intermediate
    La Verne, CA 15 
    2.5 mi 4.1 km #5Chumash Trail
    Difficult Difficult
    Santa Susana, CA
    Difficult Difficult
    Santa Susana, CA 17 
    0.9 mi 1.5 km #6Malaga Dunes
    Intermediate Intermediate
    Palos Verdes Estates, CA
    Intermediate Intermediate
    Palos Verdes Estates, CA 16 
    2.1 mi 3.4 km #7Demens Creek Trail
    Easy Easy
    San Antonio Heights, CA
    Easy Easy
    San Antonio Heights, CA
    0.5 mi 0.8 km #8Kelvin Canyon Trail
    Intermediate Intermediate
    Rolling Hills, CA
    Intermediate Intermediate
    Rolling Hills, CA
    1.0 mi 1.6 km #9Happy Flow
    Difficult Difficult
    Moorpark, CA
    Difficult Difficult
    Moorpark, CA
    3.9 mi 6.3 km #10Trailer Canyon Trail
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    Topanga, CA
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    Topanga, CA

    Photos of Los Angeles - 1,487

    MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Photos

    Bluebird Canyon -Laguna Beach, CA 
<br>
Photo by Bill Freeman
    Jan 24, 2015 near Laguna…, CA
    Video of the Luge Down hill shot by DPCAero.com
    Feb 10, 2016 near Trabuco…, CA
    Total corner destruction. This kid has his cutties on lock!
    Sep 15, 2016 near Villa Park, CA
    Local ripper, Spencer Rathkamp, making the best of a recently torched zone on Los Pinetos.
    Dec 23, 2016 near San Fer…, CA
    Really fun huck-spot on Chutes Ridgeline!
    Dec 20, 2017 near Villa Park, CA
    Erik hittin' switches just below the Ken Burton Memorial, a fine morning in the ANF.
    Sep 18, 2018 near La Caña…, CA
    Full Trail Guide for Fullerton Loop.
    Sep 23, 2018 near Fullerton, CA
    For a moment, you really do ride on the rim of this ridge.
    Oct 7, 2019 near Sierra…, CA

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