Came to this hike the other day and realized it was way harder than I remember but the views are…read morepretty incredible! It's a great workout that's is not crowded at all. So if you're looking to be one with nature without all the shenanigans of LA and get a great workout in, this is the place for you! It also pretty amazing that there is always parking available!

One of my favorite parks to go to as you are able to enjoy a great workout as well as chill time…read morewith the family. I always enjoy a great bike ride or a run at this park. This is also amazing if you bring your dogs or children as they can enjoy as well. Definitely a must if you are in the area.

We Burbankers don't like to brag, but we've got a cozy nature center right past the golf course…read more Hold on to your purses and backpacks, as some live animals live inside and can be brought out for petting purposes. Who pets a snake? Some do. Easy free parking right outside the nature center with lots of interactive displays inside. There's also an outdoor theatre area for presentations and plenty of space for the summer kids' camp. Burbank's hiking trail starts right outside the front door and is now accessible to all with Burbank's new all-terrain hiking wheelchairs, available at no charge with a reservation. Best kept secret? Sparkling clean bathrooms inside.

This is a moderate-advanced hike. You definitely want shoes that grip or hiking boots; dirt path…read morewith a good amount of rocks. Small parking lot but there's street parking a little further down the hill.

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!

SHUTTLE AWAY!!…read more Continuing the Conditioning Hike Series of reviews. Several months ago, me and The Crew were headed to the backcountry on a strenuous backpacking trip. To prepare, I wanted to do some conditioning hikes to decrease my chances of having to be airlifted out. This was one of the trails I did several times prior to the trip. Back when I was a wee hiker, The Crew planned a shuttle hike. What the heck is a shuttle hike?!?!?! STATS: Distance: 6.5 miles Time: 2.5-3 hours Elevation Gain: 1700 ft. Rating: Intermediate, not for beginners Trail: Fire Road, Non-maintained Fire Road and Single Track w/very little shade. Just northeast of Griffith Park lie the Verdugo Mountains. Like Griffith Park, there are a freakton of trails, some are maintained and well-traveled, some are not. Like the trails at Griffith Park, the trails in the Verdugo's are not all that shaded, and it gets super hot haulin yourself up an ascent to capture a 180+ view of the city below, not to mention, watch as planes arrive and depart Bob Hope Airport, as the sun sets. If the air is clear enough, you can see the sun dipping itself into the ocean as its glow illuminates on the water. Fast forward years of hiking with The Crew, I learned quickly and almost the hard way what a shuttle hike entailed. I also learned that I'm not the only one who goes through this growing pain. Anywhoo, while hikes are up and back, or in and out, or point A to point A, where the starting and ending points are the same, a shuttle hike is a one-way hike and takes a more planning and organizing than a one-way hike. Everyone meets with their cars at the ending point, hikers pile into as few cars as possible, and carpool to the starting point/trailhead. The route mapped out should lead hikers back to the initial meeting point and drive those whose cars parked at the trailhead are carpooled back. Most often, The Crew does shuttle, or loop likes, one-way is typically on backpacking trips. The Skyline trail is in the Verdugo's, and just as every trail, can be one-way, however, The Crew makes it a car shuttle hike. So we left some cars at our initial meeting point, in this case, Brand Park. A short ride down the street and around the bend, to a residential area is where we began our hike. The track is overgrown and a bit challenging in a few spots, but rewards hikers with some outstanding scenes of the Burbank and Glendale areas, and a nice steady incline, great for conditioning. The trail back down to our cars is the rutted firebreak that connects Beaudry to the library and can be a bit dangerous, but there are other, safer trails that lead back to the Brand Park, should you choose to do a car shuttle. Otherwise, y'all can return the same way you came, and make it a one-way hike. DISCLAIMER: Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please, if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Remember when going for a hike, no matter how short you think it may be, always be prepared. Carry at least two liters of water for every five miles (more if the weather is warm), protein bar, nuts, and electrolytes. Wear sturdy lug sole shoes and protective clothing. Some areas the weather can change quicker than a firefighter can put on his gear. It is also very important, always always always let a family member or friend know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Lastly, have fun when you hike it up.

Start on Via Montana, east of Country Club Drive. The trailhead is to the right of a blue portable…read moretoilet in a vacant lot. Head through the yellow gate and the rest is fairly obvious. It is 5.1-miles roundtrip with a 1600-foot elevation gain from the trailhead to the Verdugo Mountainway on the crest of the mountain range. It is 8.4-miles roundtrip with a 1900-foot elevation change from the trailhead to Verdugo Peak, the highest point on the range. For the biggest experience, try a loop of Skyline Trail to Verdugo Peak and back down Wildwood Canyon which can be done in 8.8 miles with a 2200-foot change. The trail mostly runs on the northern side of the ridge. There is some shade from the ridge, but that land mass also lessens the view of Burbank. Views are mostly of the canyon with shots of Glendale. Of course, reaching the top has a view of most of Los Angeles. Compared to Stough Canyon, Wildwood Canyon, and Brand Park, this is the least busy of the trailheads that go into the Verdugo Mountains from Burbank. Wear long pants to protect the legs. Although the trail is clear, it's not heavily maintained. Parking is on a city street around condos.

Brand Park is on the smaller side, so if you're hoping to get in 6,000 steps, you might need to…read moreloop a few times or explore nearby streets. That said, don't let the size fool you ~ there's something here for all ages. The Japanese Friendship Garden opens around 10 AM and offers a peaceful spot to relax. The koi pond and landscaped gardens are especially calming. There's a small playground for kids with nearby picnic tables ~ great for families. The onsite library hosts occasional events, and the grand staircase leading up to it makes for a great photo op. Parking inside the park is limited, but there's usually plenty of street parking available if you don't mind a short walk.

It's been years since I was last here, during Covid to be exact. It's when we all needed to be…read moreoutside in the open air to clear our minds. Hiking was the spot here when I was visiting but this time it was just for a little wandering around. Still pretty as the last time I was here. Very open with a pretty big lot for cars. You have the baseball fields, and a good amount of picnic area. I didn't venture throughout as it was just a little stroll after brunch. We did pop into the teahouse area which was pretty. There's also a little Park area where you could lounge and relax. Believe you're allowed to bring food inside but not sure about grilling. They had yours being offered for the doctor's house which we didn't do. The teahouse, not sure how often tours go for that. We walked around and just enjoyed the outside of the facades, the koi pond and just being relaxed. There were plenty of people doing the same as it was a nice a sunny afternoon.

This is one of my favorite trails -- absolutely beautiful with amazing views. I recommend going on…read morea weekday, either early in the morning or around sunset. Avoid the middle of the day unless you're looking for a super hot, intense workout, because there's very little shade. Parts of the trail are rocky and can get a bit slippery, so good shoes with tread are a must. Bring water, wear a hat, and you're good to go. Totally worth it for the scenery!

Go to the top of L.A. here. It pretty much is the top. Cahuenga Peak is the highest point in the…read morearea. Has pretty rough trails to get to it. The views are the best and you can see a long ways. A few interesting facts about it. It's 1,821 feet high, the highest in this mountain range. This is close to the Hollywood Sign, and a good stop along the way there. A few ways to get here. It's probably best going through the Lake Hollywood neighborhood. Then you get on the Wonder View Trail. It's important to know Griffith Park closes at night. They lock the gates and you can't get through. Cool place to make a climb. It's really high. The best thing about reaching the top is seeing the sweet views.

My second time doing the stairs here is how I found them…read more Number of stairs- 9 Sycamore Glen to Redwood Dr.-this staircase is not in Fleming's Secret Stairs book, Walk #1, though they could have easily been part of the route. 60 steps Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr. 98 steps Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr. 81 steps up then 19 steps down Tamarac Dr. to Glenullen Dr. 86 steps Glenullen Dr. to Cherry Dr. 99 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Capinero Dr. 44 steps La Loma to Cheviotdale Pl. 54 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Cherry Dr. 43 steps La Loma to Evergreen-this staircase... Hope it helps It's around two miles.

I must say that the stairs were in very good condition. I felt uncomfortable though walking the…read morestairs which is between homes. There wasn't really much to see but the back yards of the homes. I stopped after walking 2 sections of the stairs. I didn't see signs so be careful not to walk up to someone back door. Haha.

Beautiful and scenic park perfect for picnics! Perfect for all ages and pets…read more I celebrated my friend's birthday at this park and I had a good experience here! Parking was easy since there is a parking lot. However, it can get filled quickly and luckily I was able to snag a spot. Not sure what the other parking options are when the lot runs out. The park itself is super nice! It's hilly and vibrantly green. My favorite part is you have a great view of the city up top from the hill. The grass is also comfy to sit on. They have a playground, several picnic tables, and a bathroom too. There were several other groups celebrating occasions there, but it was not too crowded. A perfect option for nice weather. I would definitely recommend this park as a great picnic option and would visit again.

Our daily family hunt for parks has finally led us to a nice park! Such a beautiful view, nice…read moreatmosphere, safe and clean park. Our kids had such a nice time on their bikes. My toddler played so comfortably on the toddler side of the park. The bigger kids side had a really cool high tower to climb and come down on the slide. Had so much fun playing with my kiddos here.

This is my favorite hike in Los Angeles. Unfortunately it was ruined for me this year. Not giving a…read morebad review but this is a warning for anyone looking for a peaceful flat hike around the water. Not really safe from city thieves! my car was broken into twice with stuff in my bags stolen. Very odd because I wasn't suspicious of that place because it's a very nice area and I been coming here for years. At first, I wasn't able to pinpoint this was the place my things were stolen for two reasons: the thieves did not take my bags, instead they opened the bags and removed the credit cards and cash I had. Which prevented me from noticing immediately. And second reason was there was no clear signs of break in until the second time my glove box was left open and my bags moved around. I think the thieves are professionals of some sort and know there way around the alarm or the door key holders because I definitely locked my car both times my stuff was stolen

A beautiful place to go for a walk and take some iconic views of the Hollywood sign! You wouldn't…read moreexpect the peaceful nature that surrounds the area. The loop itself is about 3 1/2 miles, but doesn't feel that long when you're walking it (in a good way!). It's a very mild walking path with not too much incline. Great for a walk, jog, or run! A great way to get in some exercise, decompress, get in some sunshine, and take in the views. But being an iconic spot, some things to prepare for.... 1. The most stressful part of it is finding parking. There are tourists everywhere, people who don't know how to park (or drive), and people all over. Keep that in mind, especially depending on the time of day, day of the week, and proximity to holidays or breaks. 2. Another thing to note is that sunset is not the time to come. They do close the gates so it is not uncommon to get locked in. You'll be at the mercy of finding a ranger to unlock the gate or resort to jumping a fence. 3. Watch out for people stopping to take pictures and the bikers, especially the kids on bikes and scooters. They can be unpredictable and uncoordinated. If you keep these things in mind, you will find yourself a great time. I recommend it to anyone, especially those where you otherwise don't want a "hike" but want to take in some of the beautiful views that Hollywood has to offer. Great for visitors and locals!

This hike was interesting, but for me it was definitely more difficult and a lot more dangerous…read morethan I expected. The first part of the trail, down to the creek and along the creek, was not too hard and actually pretty enjoyable. Crossing the creek several times was fun, and there were some nice shaded areas along the way. We also saw a California newt, which was really interesting -- but please do not touch them. Later, when we finally had internet again, we read that their skin produces a toxin, so it's best to admire them from a safe distance. The harder part starts after you climb above the creek. From there, the trail leading toward the waterfall becomes narrow and slippery, and on the right side there are steep drop-offs almost the entire way. The final descent to the waterfall was the biggest challenge for me. You have to go down along the rock with a rope for support, but honestly it did not look safe at all, so we decided not to go all the way down to the base of the waterfall. I would not bring children on this hike. Also, be prepared that the round trip can take around 3.5 hours depending on your pace. A few helpful things to know: * parking was along the road * there are no restrooms * tickets/permits need to be purchased in advance in a different place * internet service was very poor, so it's better to download your map ahead of time * there were not many people, which was nice The waterfall was full and rushing, and the views were beautiful, but personally I would not do this hike a second time.

A scenic trail nestled in the Tujunga Mountains, this hike was the perfect choice for my friends…read moreand me. We picked this spot because it's slightly removed from the fire damage of last year, yet still close enough to LA for a convenient trip. First things first, this trail is located in the Los Angeles mountains and requires an Adventure Pass ($5). You can pick one up at designated spots (which, by the way, supports the forest), and it must be displayed on your dashboard with the date scratched out. I saw many cars without the Adventure Pass, but from my understanding, you could get a ticket, so it's your call. I would rather get the $5 Adventure Pass than a ticket which could cost you maybe $50+. Also, I highly recommend getting there early for two reasons: 1. To secure a parking spot 2. To beat the heat. We arrived early enough to find parking, and as we set out on the trail, I was struck by how beautiful it was. The hike is about 4 miles in and out. At the start, there's little shade, but as you continue, you'll cross several streams and find shaded spots along the way. There's even a section where you'll need to use ropes to descend, eventually reaching the base of a waterfall. The trail is quite popular, so by the time we got to the waterfall, there were lots of people taking photos. The descent was manageable, but be prepared to wait for others when you head back up the ropes. There was a bit of a line to ascend, which slowed things down a little before we headed back to the car. All in all, it's a fantastic trail. Having lived in the area for many years, I'd definitely consider it one of my favorites. The variety of trails, different terrains, and water crossings make it a unique experience. Just don't forget to bring waterproof hiking boots for the water crossings. Enjoy!