Escape the crowds and discover the secret trails of Los Angeles County. These 10 hidden hikes offer stunning views, serene nature, and will make you forget you're in the city of LA.
Short Cut Menu 🖱️
1. Malibu Lake Vista
If you're looking for a hidden hike that's a great workout with amazing lake views, then definitely check out the Malibu Lake Vista Trail. You can find the trail at the Historic Reagan Ranch, former President Ronald Reagan's old ranch, in Malibu Creek State Park. The trail is composed of a wide dirt path and consists of a lot of uphill hiking to reach the top where you will get most beautiful views of the lake. Some people even swim or fish in its designated areas.
📍 Location: 28754 Lake Vista Dr, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
📏 Distance: 4 miles
2. Echo Mountain
The Echo Mountain hike is a can't miss, hidden gem of a hike in Altadena, California. It may be a tough, uphill workout, but the gorgeous views of the mountains and landscape from the top make it all worth it. Hikers will be able to explore the historical and interesting ruins of the Echo Mountain Resort, a large tourist attraction resort from the 1890's that was destroyed by wildfires. It's crucial for visitors to bring lots of water and sunscreen, as although there are trees, the trail is very exposed to the sunlight.
📍 Location: 3302 Lake Ave, Altadena, CA, 91001
🥾 Difficulty: Hard
📏 Distance: 5.7 miles
3. Three Tree Hill
Three Tree Hill (known officially as the Dr. Mario A. DeCampos Trail) provides some of the best views of the entirety of the San Fernando Valley with all of it's hills, mountains and suburbs to take in. Just a short distance above it is Mission Point, the highest point in San Fernando Valley. Located in O'Melveny Park, the trail welcomes walkers, hikers, runners, and even bikers who are looking for a good workout with a fair balance of steep and flat. Visitors can expect to see a variety of birds and lizards, and it is cautioned to look out for snakes.
📍 Location: Sulphur Spring Fire Rd, Granada Hills, CA 91344
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
📏 Distance: 1.9 miles
4. Skull Rock Loop
The Skull Rock Loop in the Pacific Palisades is an extension of the Temescal Canyon Trail, and it's a hike with incredible ocean and cliff views. Made simpler with easy parking access at the trailhead, visitors are welcome to go for a walk, run, or do a deep trek along the intermediate trail. People will be able to check out the iconic "Skull Rock" that gave the hike its name, a unique rock formation that resembles a skull.
📍 Location: Skull Rock Trailhead, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
📏 Distance: 4.1 miles
5. Trail Canyon Falls
Located in Angeles National Forest, Trail Canyon Falls is a one of the moderate hidden hikes in Los Angeles. It leads to spectacular views of the mountains as well as a gorgeous 30-foot waterfall nestled into a canyon. The trail leading to the waterfall is only a short drive from Downtown Burbank, and it is full of different types of trees providing some shaded areas, abandoned cabins, and picnic tables to rest at.
📍 Location: 19600 North Trail Canyon Rd, Tujunga, CA 91042
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
📏 Distance: 4.6 miles
6. Garden of the Gods
The Garden of the Gods is a secret hike in the northwest corner of Chatsworth, California. It is a 23-acre park that is part of the historic Iverson Movie Ranch, which is one of the most photographed ranches in movie history, being the backdrop of scenes in classic films such as "The Lone Ranger". The area was named Garden of the Gods for its massive and unique sandstone rock formations. Visitors to the area will encounter large boulder rocks, some being easy to climb for the regular person, others being more apt for professional rock climbers.
📍 Location: 11247 Sierra Pass Pl, Chatsworth, CA 91311
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
📏 Distance: 0.3 miles
7. Bronson Cave
If you're a film enthusiast, then the Bronson Cave is a hike to check out in Los Angeles. The Bronson Cave is one of the unique attractions inside of Griffith Park that is known as a famous filming location for classic films and TV series such as the 60's Batman series, where the cave can be recognized as the famous "bat cave". The hike to the Bronson Cave is a simple walk, making it one of the easiest and least crowded hidden hikes. There's also great views of the Hollywood Sign near the back of the cave trail.
📍 Location: 3200 Canyon Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068
🥾 Difficulty: Easy
📏 Distance: .6 miles
8. Harbor Park
The Harbor Park hike is located right by the Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, a park by Machado Lake which offers numerous nature hikes, picnic spots with barbecues, sports fields, and a playground. The Harbor Park hike may be a bit of a lengthy hike, but it's a fairly simple route that doesn't require too much uphill battle.
📍 Location: 25820 Vermont Ave, Harbor City, CA 90710
🥾 Difficulty: Easy
📏 Distance: 3.5 miles
9. Bee Rock
The Bee Rock hiking trail is a Griffith Park hidden gem. It's an intermediate route that is popular for hiking, running, walking, and even taking dogs out on their leash. The Bee Rock itself is a hive-shaped rock that sits over the east side of Griffith Park. From the observation area at the top, visitors will be able to have a stunning panoramic view over the entire park as well as the city in the distance.
📍 Location: Griffith Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
📏 Distance: 2.6 miles
10. Cave of Munits
The Cave of Munits in West Hills, California, is another lesser-known hike with some fascinating caves that could leave visitors a bit spooked due to the sounds within the caves created on a windy day. It's a popular hiking and rock climbing spot, and a killer place to catch a sunset. The adventurous and decently-steep hike is known to be a unique experience, with the entrance appearing to be a 30-foot slit in the wall of the canyon. The Cave of Munits is also a part of Chumash history, a Native American tribe, so be sure not to leave trash behind or carve anything into the caves.
📍 Location: 24501 Vanowen St, West Hills, CA 91307
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
📏 Distance: 1.5 miles
What is your favorite hidden hike in Los Angeles? Send us a message and let us know.
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