5 Of The Best Hiking Spots In LA

LA offers multiple hiking routes for novices and experts alike. If you’re looking to make quick decisions about which one to choose, read our guide to five of the best.

Red Rock Canyon

Hidden deep in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains, this scenic trail is blissful. The rough, narrow and windy road to the trailhead is lined with hippie chic cottages from the 60: blanketed with trees, they fuse effortlessly with the natural surroundings. Further on, sandstone peaks, the crunch of gravel and the fresh smell of mint leaves welcome you into the ‘Enchanted Forest.’ This canyon was once submerged beneath water, and large rocks along the wide dirt trail have imprints of creatures captured in stone and fossilised. Keep an eye out for a cluster of rock caves to the left of the dirt trail; if you’re feeling adventurous, make your way up through a nature-crafted stone ridge to reach an even higher vantage point.
Red Rock Canyon Park, 23601 W. Red Rock Road, Old Topanga, CA

The "Secret Trail"

The “Secret” Trail | © Jasmine Ashoori

Stunt Road Trail

Stunt Road Graffiti Overlook | © Jasmine Ashoori

Escondido Falls

Escondido Falls | © Madison Davis

The Grotto

About the author

Jasmine Ashoori

Jasmine Ashoori is an LA native and a writer majoring in English Literature at UCLA. Her passions lie most in the world of arts, literature, music, and film amplified by the LA ambiance around her. Jasmine is drawn to adventure and loves experiencing the new, while keeping up with the old and the culture of Los Angeles constantly keeps her curious as to what else is out there that she has yet to discover. Seeing the world through rose-tinted glass, Jasmine takes pleasure in the simple things in life and is constantly on the look-out for new outlets of inspiration.