Best Hiking Trails for Fitness Enthusiasts in LA

There’s a reason Los Angeles fitness junkies love hiking—it’s the city’s perfect mix of cardio, sunlight, and scenic therapy. You don’t need a gym membership when you’ve got trails that double as stairmasters and offer skyline views as your reward. Whether you’re training for a marathon, rebuilding endurance, or just need to sweat out a week’s worth of deadlines, LA’s trails hit every level of intensity—from beach climbs to mountain burners.

Here’s a field-tested guide to the best hiking trails in Los Angeles for serious fitness enthusiasts—the ones that’ll spike your heart rate, torch calories, and still leave you in awe of what this city hides between freeways.

Runyon Canyon – Hollywood

Yes, it’s cliché. Yes, it’s crowded. But Runyon Canyon remains LA’s most reliable urban workout. The incline is steep enough to challenge, but short enough to squeeze into a morning routine. Two main loops—one 1.9 miles, another 3.3—offer options depending on your fitness level.

Start from Fuller Avenue for the toughest route. You’ll climb fast, sweat faster, and end up with panoramic views stretching from Downtown to the Pacific. Bonus: tons of off-leash dogs, if you like furry company mid-workout.

Distance: 1.9–3.3 miles
Elevation gain: ~700 ft
Intensity: Moderate to intense
Parking: Street parking near Fuller Ave or North Vista

Temescal Canyon Trail – Pacific Palisades

If you want a solid glute-and-calf burner with an ocean view payoff, Temescal Canyon is your trail. Located just off Sunset Blvd, it’s popular among fitness purists and weekend warriors alike. The loop climbs quickly through shaded chaparral, hits a small seasonal waterfall, and opens to sweeping coastal views.

The steep sections will have your legs shaking in the best way possible. It’s also a favorite for post-work sunset hikes—bring a headlamp for late returns.

Distance: 3–4 miles loop
Elevation gain: ~900 ft
Intensity: Moderate
Parking: $12 lot or free street parking on Temescal Canyon Rd

Los Liones to Parker Mesa Overlook – Topanga State Park

You want a long, steady climb with serious calorie burn? The Los Liones Trail to Parker Mesa Overlook delivers. It’s a 7.5-mile roundtrip trek with consistent uphill grind through lush canyons and ocean views that hit around mile three.

This one separates the casual hikers from the fitness-focused. Expect 2+ hours of effort, but the summit view—Pacific, Palos Verdes, and Catalina Island on clear days—makes it worth every drop of sweat.

Distance: 7.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: ~1,300 ft
Intensity: Challenging
Parking: Free lot on Los Liones Drive

Mount Hollywood Trail – Griffith Park

Griffith Park has more than 50 miles of trails, but for fitness hikers, Mount Hollywood Trail is the sweet spot. It’s long enough to feel like a real workout but close enough to civilization that you can grab a smoothie after.

The route starts near the Griffith Observatory and winds upward through dusty ridges with great city panoramas. For an extra push, extend the route toward Dante’s View.

Distance: 5 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: ~850 ft
Intensity: Moderate
Parking: Griffith Observatory lot or street parking on Fern Dell Dr

Sandstone Peak – Malibu

For advanced hikers craving endurance and elevation, Sandstone Peak is the ultimate LA-area fitness challenge. It’s the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains at 3,111 feet.

The 6-mile Mishe Mokwa Trail loop mixes steady climbs, rocky scrambles, and ridge views straight out of a travel magazine. It’s less crowded than Runyon or Griffith and demands solid legwork—great for cross-training or prepping for longer treks.

Distance: 6 miles loop
Elevation gain: ~1,100 ft
Intensity: Challenging
Parking: Free lot off Yerba Buena Rd

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook – Culver City

If you’re a HIIT junkie, this one’s for you. Locals call it “the Culver City Stairs,” and it’s basically an outdoor stair-climb from hell—282 uneven steps straight up to a panoramic platform.

Perfect for quick lunchtime workouts or leg-day challenges. The park also has paved switchbacks if you prefer a more gradual climb or want to run intervals. Bonus: the view stretches from DTLA to the ocean.

Distance: 1 mile roundtrip (stairs), 2.5 miles (loop)
Elevation gain: ~500 ft
Intensity: High-intensity, short duration
Parking: Lot ($2/hour) or street

Escondido Falls – Malibu

For those who like their cardio with a side of serenity, Escondido Falls Trail offers a mix of uphill climbs, shaded paths, and a waterfall finish. The first mile is on a paved road, but once you hit the canyon, it’s a lush, green workout escape.

The upper falls section (for advanced hikers only) adds rock scrambling and serious heart-pumping elevation. It’s not the toughest trail, but the combination of endurance and beauty makes it a must-hike.

Distance: 4 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: ~400 ft
Intensity: Moderate
Parking: $12 at Winding Way Trailhead

Table: Best Hiking Trails for Fitness Lovers in LA

Trail	Location	Distance	Elevation Gain	Intensity	Highlight
Runyon Canyon	Hollywood	1.9–3.3 mi	700 ft	Moderate	Iconic views, off-leash dogs
Temescal Canyon	Pacific Palisades	3–4 mi	900 ft	Moderate	Ocean views, waterfall
Los Liones–Parker Mesa	Topanga State Park	7.5 mi	1,300 ft	Challenging	Coastal endurance climb
Mount Hollywood	Griffith Park	5 mi	850 ft	Moderate	Observatory + skyline views
Sandstone Peak	Malibu	6 mi	1,100 ft	Challenging	Santa Monica’s summit
Baldwin Hills Overlook	Culver City	1–2.5 mi	500 ft	High-intensity	Outdoor stair workout
Escondido Falls	Malibu	4 mi	400 ft	Moderate	Waterfall finale

Extra Credit: Hidden Fitness Gems

• Inspiration Point (Will Rogers State Park): Quick 2-mile incline for lunch-hour workouts.
• Mandeville Canyon Fire Road: Long, steady, low-crowd climb—great for trail running.
• Echo Mountain via Sam Merrill Trail: A tougher Pasadena-area climb for weekend endurance.

Trail Etiquette and Safety

1. Hydrate like it’s your job. LA heat sneaks up fast—bring more water than you think you’ll need.
2. Start early. Most trails get crowded (and hot) after 9 a.m.
3. Respect leash laws. Only Runyon allows off-leash dogs.
4. Leave no trace. Pack out every wrapper and bottle.
5. Track your progress. Apps like AllTrails or Strava make it easy to log elevation and time for fitness tracking.

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