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    Descanso Trail

    4.4 (18 reviews)

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    Entrance
    Jessica Y.

    This is a nice hidden gem for a short (about 3 miles) easily accessible hike. I entered off Descanso Dr. There's an entrance by the Descanso Garden parking lot. Plenty of free parking on the street. Once you enter it starts off with fairly steep inclines and then does plateau. Very wide and well maintained trail. Felt safe with plenty of room for social distancing if needed altho didn't see too many people. It made for a nice workout without the big crowd. With the inclines you do get quite a workout in.

    DTLA
    Darren B.

    For a neighborhood trail, this is a pretty nice, well-maintained trail. There are various entry points to the trail system, but not all allow for parking. Just park by Descano Gardens and start through Cherry Canyon. There are some good views, but there are also a ton of electrical transmission lines that'll muck up your photos. I doubt I go back out of my way to hike here again, but if it was outside my back door I'd be there all the time.

    View from half way along the trail.
    Gen M.

    Tired of the hustle and bustle of Runyon? Welcome to Descanso Trail! Plenty of street parking outside the Descanso Gardens, this area offers plenty of options so that you can hike it over and over again, trying new permutations each time. Occasionally it's a steep incline, but the paths are well tended and smooth and the views are spectacular. It also isn't crowded, so for long stretches you have the entire vista to yourself. While there are some shorter options, most of the hikes last about a hour. Give yourself time to walk back to your car, which could take 15 minutes through beautiful and tranquil homes on wide streets dotted with oak trees.

    Cydney M.

    The Descanso Trail is a great little cardio workout with some pretty scenery. The trail head is just west of the entrance to Descanso Gardens. There is a big wooden fence and three yellow posts. Walk down that path and then turn right at the end to begin your hike on the Descanso Trail. This is a steep climb off the bat to get your heart working and it switches back and forth to the top of the hill where it meets the fire road. If you just hike up and down on the trail it will be a round trip of about a mile. This trail is pretty difficult to come down on without poles, so if you don't have poles you can make a big loop around Descanso Gardens on the fire roads (3.73 miles). You will have elevation gains of 1,000 feet on this hike and it took me about an hour and ten minutes to make it back to my car. At the first intersection on the fire road turn left if you want to make the loop described above. Off to the left and up the hill you will see a rusted out water tower. Turn right when you see the next fire road past the bench.* You will be going downhill at this point. Eventually you'll end up on Forest Hill Trail which is a street. Walk down that until you see Los Padres Trail, make a right and Descanso Drive is a block up. Turn left and head west on Descanso Drive to where you parked your car. *If you head straight on the fire road you will end of on The Conservancy Trail which is a really nice little trail (.5 miles) It is definitely more of a hiking experience than walking on the fire road because it winds around through chapparal and oak woodland. It isn't very steep, so you don't need poles here. The mountain bikers like this trail. This intersects the fire road in the paragraph above and when you get to it turn left. http://www.lcftrails.org

    Joe E.

    I could give you an extensive review breaking down this hike and the route we took since there were a few forks along the way. It would be a giant waste of time. Instead....... please find Cydney M.'s review for the trail and follow that. That is what we did and it's so thorough, you don't even have to think about where to go on the the 3.6 mile loop. Some highlights: 1. The trail borders Descanso Gardens so you get an aerial view of the place. 2. I say aerial view because you are going to climb. Not terrible but enough to get your lungs frustrated with you. 3. One spot offers a good look at downtown and the ocean. Albeit, that's on a good, clear day. 4. The last part of the loop takes you through the streets of La Canada. I'll take one of those houses. Heck, I'll take a guest house. Definitely going to be back to try and improve on our 1 hour and 3 minute time. The best thing about using hiking apps is trying to complete the hike faster the next time.

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    Review Highlights - Descanso Trail

    Felt safe with plenty of room for social distancing if needed altho didn't see too many people.

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    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

    4.4(293 reviews)
    5.6 mi

    Perfect hike for a hot day…read more I love waterfall hikes and listening to the sound of calm, running water. The added challenge on these hikes is the multiple stream crossings. I brought some hiking poles which helped with balance and probing for loose rocks and logs. If you want to get parking in the lower lot, it's best to come before 8AM. We found parking in the second lot. An Adventure Pass or Day Pass is required. Parking is enforced. A car received a ticket for being in a No Parking zone. The start of the trail is nicely shaded. The second half is a hilly, narrow, sun exposed path which routes back into the canyon toward the Lower Switzer Falls. I'm glad they had fencing on some narrow and steep parts of the trail. We encountered an active rattlesnake which headed down the mountain, so be on the lookout. Overall, the hike takes about 3 hours for 5.5 miles. The additional hike back up to the parking lot was about 1/4 of a mile. Note: if you need to use the restroom, it's best to bring your own toilet paper and to go before you start your hike. It was kind of smelly, but if you gotta go... you gotta go.

    This place is great for fully appreciating nature! The trail is around 5-5.5 miles round trip,…read moredepending on where you park. What impressed me most about this trail is that it's almost fully covered by shade. We went in the late afternoon, and I'd say probably 80-85% of it is covered. Very impressive! Here are some useful tips: 1. There are three parking lots: two are next to the highway, and one is near the hiking entrance. I'd recommend getting a parking pass if possible. 2. There are only three restrooms at the beginning of the trail, so use them when you see them. 3. If you're aiming to go to the waterfall, make sure to look for the signs. Some signs aren't very clear, so we had to stop and ask other hikers frequently. Luckily, people there are super friendly and happy to help. Just pay attention to your surroundings. 4. The trail is dog-friendly, but dogs must be on a leash. 5. Waterproof hiking boots are recommended. All in all, it's a fun trail. It's a great place for a picnic and camping, and it's very close to the stream. Great for kids, families, and pets!

    Photos
    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service - Lower Switzer Fall

    Lower Switzer Fall

    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service - The grand prize, Switzer falls.

    The grand prize, Switzer falls.

    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

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    Gabrielino Trail - Playing in the dam

    Gabrielino Trail

    4.3(80 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    This is a beautiful trail that is well used by locals. You can start the trail at a parking lot by…read moreJPL. The parking lots is large so it can accommodate a lot of hikers. You should put out your adventure pass when parking at this lot. I am not sure if anybody is checking but its best to be safe, to avoid a ticket. From the parking lot to the dam its approximately 8.4 miles roundtrip. The hike has very limited elevation gain to the dam- and it follows along the river. You will have to cross the river multiple times to the dam. Some of the crossing will be on bridges while others will require to get your feet wet or hop rocks to get across. The trail is mostly cover by trees so provide some relief from the sun. The Gabrielino trail leads to many other trails and places beyond the dam- you actually start on this trail and go all the way to another waterfall- note this hike is approximately 19 miles and has over 2500 feet elevation. The trail is heavily used by bikers, hikers, walkers and horseback riders. On the weekend this trail gets very busy. If you want peace and quiet best to do this trail during the weekdays early in the morning. Currently (October 2025)- some construction is going on at the beginning of the trail. The start of the trail can be closed- so before heading out check to see if the trail is open.

    Beautiful trails. Feels like you're out of LA. Highly recommend. Dog friendly. Pretty easy parkingread more

    Photos
    Gabrielino Trail
    Gabrielino Trail
    Gabrielino Trail

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    Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon

    Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon

    4.7(191 reviews)
    5.2 mi

    Updated review: I've been to Inspiration Point twice now, most recently after the great Los Angeles…read more"blizzard" of early 2023. And how super intense and cool (figuratively and literally) it was! Total about 10mi from the top of Lake - Echo Mountain - Castle Canyon trail - Inspiration Point - Sam Merrill trail - Echo Mountain and back down to Lake. DEFINITELY a strenuous hike and would highly recommend hiking poles, sunscreen, water, and snacks! The view is incredible, especially with tons of fresh snow everywhere. Hiked this early March 2023 and the Castle Canyon trail leading off from Echo Mountain (a decent hike in its own right) is pretty challenging, if not a bit brutal in some areas: slippery snow, downed trees and bushes blocking the path, and a heavy incline. Again, highly recommend poles. Once at Inspiration Point the view is phenomenal. The Pacific Ocean, Palos Verdes, Catalina Island, and even Anaheim and Irvine are all visible from the top, and downtown LA too of course. Lots of picnic benches and photo-op-worthy view finders for major Southern California sites. Gorgeous San Gabriel mountains in the background. The Sam Merrill trail leading down the backside of the mountain (and then curving back around to the south/west) is much more tame (but still a bit precarious with 2+ feet of snow) and very sun-exposed all the way back to Echo Mountain. All in all probably one of the more butt-kicking Los Angeles hike. Takes about 4-5hrs round trip depending on your pace.

    Long and difficult hike but worth the view! About 10 miles…read moreround trip from Cobb Estate. Bring a hat, lots of water, snacks, sunscreen, and BUG SPRAY. Me and my husband started around 7:30am and finished the whole hike around 1pm at a steady pace with about an hour break when we got to Inspiration Point. The hike from Cobb Estate to Echo Mountain was a breeze for us, but the hike from there to Inspiration was a whole other story. I recommend wearing long pants as the second half of the hiking path isn't as clear and pretty narrow on some parts. We took our time and treaded lightly but still got some minor scratches on our legs from all of the branches and leaves. My husband started getting irritated from walking into all of the spider webs lol. Not sure if the actual hike was 2 miles from Echo Mountain because it felt so much longer than that. We started getting really tired near the end from all the incline. We almost gave up until my husband saw the view of Inspiration Point. Once we got there, the views made it all worth it! Would we do it again? Maaaaaybe lol.

    Photos
    Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon
    Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon
    Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon

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    Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Found this tiny little spider on a beautiful yellow bloom - had to bust out my macro lens for this one! June 2025

    Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike

    4.5(8 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    Such a unique and beautiful hike!!!! We even got to see some very hard snow that was almost gone,…read moredue to the rain and winds. I would highly recommend that at least 50% of the group have the trail downloaded, and you carry extra phone chargers. A few people who were with us almost got lost. It is very easy to do so if you are not paying attention. There is also one portion that becomes very steep. Take your time and bring a stick or poles if you need to. Other than that, the views are breathtaking, so enjoy! I would 1000% do this trail again, but only in a larger group with more experienced hikers. Hoping they are able to locate Monica Reza!! Please, please, please, do not leave anyone behind on their own. This is not an easy trail to guide yourself. There was a lovely man we met on the trail who hikes this consistently, and he cautioned us against losing people.

    I bagged a peak this summer!! And the Waterman Mountain loop trail has become my number one fave…read morelocal trail here in SoCal. Getting up to Waterman peak isn't terribly technical - more of a straightforward moderate hike on well marked trails with tons of biodiversity and beautiful views. I hiked it towards the end of June and there were beautiful native SoCal blooms scattered along the trail - with so many native bees! The hike is through a burn scar (from the Peak Fire in 2021 I think) - so it can be a bit barren and burned up in places but it's heartening to see how well the area is recovering. I also ran into countless Pygmy Nuthatches (a lifer for me!!), White-headed Woodpeckers, squirrels, chipmunks, and even some cute tiny spiders! But this is Black Bear and Mountain Lion country so be vigilant and carry bear spray. All in all, I hiked around 6.4 miles with around 1380+ feet elevation gain. The trails are narrow in a lot of spots and mostly consists of rocks, loose dirt, and fine gravel. The first half of the trail is through forest and burn scar. The last half after the peak and old ski resort (long closed) is very exposed fire road with no shade and minimal views. On subsequent hikes I tend to skip that part and just turn around after the peak bc I like that part of the trail better lol. The peak of Waterman Mtn sits at 8030 feet. There's a great sign at the peak made by @peakart125 (on instagram) - it's lovely and makes for a fun way to celebrate making it all the way up! There's a sort of false peak right before the actual peak so I highly recommend making sure you've downloaded the trail map on AllTrails before heading out since cell signal is minimal to nonexistent on the trail. The views from the peak are a tad obstructed by rocks and trees - but you still get nice pocket views of Twin Peaks, the valley, and Mt Wilson observatory. It's also interesting to explore the old ski resort near the peak. There's tons of equipment and a chair lift but it doesn't look like it's been opened for years probably. AllTrails also shows a bathroom up there but I didn't find one so come prepared. There's a bathroom next to the paved parking area in a campground entrance at the trailhead. There's plenty of parking - almost all paved. You'll need an adventure pass to park bc it's in the Angeles National Forest - but they accept America the Beautiful passes too! I pretty much had the trail to myself on the weekday early morning. I only ran into two people - turned out it was search and rescue looking for missing hiker Monica Reza who went missing the weekend before my hike (I think she was last seen June 22nd, 2025). I helped a bit in the search on my way out but no luck. My understanding is she's still missing (I included a photo - they're still looking for volunteers to help search if you're interested!) - be aware and keep a lookout if you do the trail! They also have Instagram and FB pages for updates.

    Photos
    Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Precious little chipmunks kept a close eye on me while I hiked lol!

    Precious little chipmunks kept a close eye on me while I hiked lol!

    Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Views from the trail (June 2025) #getoutsideandexplore

    Views from the trail (June 2025) #getoutsideandexplore

    Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Lovely elderberry bloom along the trail (June 2025)

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    Lovely elderberry bloom along the trail (June 2025)

    La Canada Teepee

    La Canada Teepee

    4.6(18 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    This was easily one of my favorite hikes around LA, mostly because it was such an unexpected…read moreadventure. My friend originally wanted to hike the Brown Dam hike, but last minute suggested this trail and I'm so glad she did. We parked near the Angeles Crest Highway and followed the trail up to the La Cañada Teepee. The hike itself was long but relatively easy, and we were lucky that the weather was slightly overcast that day which it made the trek much more comfortable. We knew we were close when we saw the mailbox along the trail with a chain blockading the road to the teepee. That's when we ran into two Kenyan women who gave us a quick heads-up about what was ahead: stunning lavender fields, a cool telescope (I thought it was a model of the Griffith Observatory--haha), and even a little maze hidden within the flora and bushes as you get closer to the teepee structure. The sisters also mentioned that the area is actually private property, but the owners generously allow people to visit. We didn't run into the owner's, but we were able to explore and enjoy the incredible views and the massive teepee structure at the top. It truly felt like stumbling upon a hidden gem right in Los Angeles--one of the best surprises in such a long time. Highly recommended if you are an avid hiker. Best, Lina C.

    This is a fun hiking destination! You can approach from the east or the south and you won't be…read moredisappointed.

    Photos
    La Canada Teepee
    La Canada Teepee
    La Canada Teepee

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    Dawn Mine Hike

    Dawn Mine Hike

    4.4(69 reviews)
    3.7 mi

    This hike had a lot to offer. Pretty green mostly covered trails a lot of crossing water when it…read morehad rained before. About a 6-7mile hike round trip depending on your starting point we started around Altadena area by fair oaks street. Bring- a lot of water depending on how you handle hiking Adventure pass is needed to park I don't use them but some walking / trek sticks could be useful in some parts. I'm a large guy it took a lot out of me to get there it's a moderate to hard hike for me. With more exercise and a few more hikes under my belt to get back into shape I would hike it again. A lot of connecting places to hike through to as well. Echo mountain connection - inspiration point .

    One of my favorite hikes in LA. I would rate this as Moderate given the elevation change and rocky…read morepaths but it's possible for all ages and skill levels. You get to hike through many different zones including goat paths on the side of the mountain, paved roads at the beginning, and multiple creek crossings and some minor boulder climbing. Parking is at the top of where you turn left to go down toward Millard Falls and there are only 6 spaces available so that area fills up quickly. We arrived @ 7:30AM and didn't have any issues parking and didn't encounter anyone until our hike back out. It's easy to follow the path as it's marked well. The first landmark you'll see is a formerly used cabin as you descend down into the canyon and as you follow the canyon to the end you will see many old mining equipment and plumbing strewn near the creek you are walking parallel to. You have to cross the creek a few times but it's only a few inches deep and there are rocks already placed for crossing. There are portions with pools deep enough to dunk in and even a section with 3 small pools with water slides into each pool. Something worth checking out when the weather is warmer. The mine at the end is underwhelming because it's blocked off with steel bars and is very low to the ground and is flooded with water. I would say the walk to the mine is the best part not the destination. Overall a great hike with beautiful scenery and hiking with the sound of running water the whole time is a real treat.

    Photos
    Dawn Mine Hike
    Dawn Mine Hike
    Dawn Mine Hike

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    Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon

    Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon

    4.7(6 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Definitely not for the faint of heart!…read more PARKING 2 dirt lots off of Highway 2 just past the Switzer Falls turnoff. Must display Adventure Pass. There is no trail sign or marker but take the obvious dirt path and stay on it (don't go up the rocks) COLBY TRAIL Clearly defined winding trail. It's certainly steep, but I didn't have any issues with it. After 2.2 miles (maybe 40 minutes-1 hour of hiking) you'll come to a water tower where the trail splits and is unmarked. Take the trail on the right and after a couple hundred feet is a small rock pile designating a smaller trail to the right. Take this if you're intent on the mountaineer route up to Strawberry. STRAWBERRY MOUNTAINEER TRAIL The steepness definitely increases as you continue up the ridge line. You'll come to the first rocky cragg where you'll need to use your hands and feet to climb. Be very careful as some of the rocks are loose and will crumble as you grab them. There is no defined trail just get to the top of the crag however you like. After that you'll continue on the ridge to the summit. The trail is very overgrown with Spanish Bayonets and Poodle Bush. Avoid touching the plants as much as possible but you WILL touch them. Although the trail is overgrown it's pretty obvious where you should be going. I unfortunately had to turn around before the last bouldering part because I started the hike too late in the day. Will have to come back! Happy hiking!

    Hiked up Strawberry Peak on April 14 and had a great experience. What I really liked about the…read moretrail were the two separate rock climbs near the peak of the mountain. Both rock climbs are located at an elevation between about 5000 to 6000 feet, so if you're planning to do the hike during the winter season, it's probably a good idea to check the snow level before heading out. No equipment is needed for the rock climbs, and there are markings on the rocks (arrows in a variety of colors) that point out the best route to take. It can be a little difficult at times to find the arrows or the correct route to take, but if you take your time you shouldn't have any problems. I have to admit though that there was a moment or two when I was hanging onto a rock (on the side of a mountain and without any equipment) where I thought to myself - uh, what am I doing? The trail is pretty steep, about a 2700 feet elevation gain during the 3 mile ascent up to the peak, so with the two rock climbs it provides a pretty good workout. Definitely a much better workout than a 5-6 mile run on relatively flat ground. Even though the hike is only 6 miles round trip, I would budget at least 4 to 5 hours to complete the hike. The two rock climbs take some time to navigate.

    Photos
    Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon - It's not really scary, I just wanted it to look that way!

    It's not really scary, I just wanted it to look that way!

    Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon
    Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon

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    Descanso Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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