Hidden Hiking Trails Los Angeles Locals Love

Locals have increased use of unmarked trails branching off Canyon Drive inside Griffith Park this summer. These routes stay shaded by oak and sycamore stands and avoid the lines that form at the observatory parking lots.

July temperatures in the city have pushed daily highs above 85 degrees for three weeks straight. Wellness routines tied to outdoor movement now favor shorter shaded loops over exposed beach paths from Santa Monica to Malibu. City data from the Department of Recreation and Parks shows Griffith Park recorded 2.8 million total visits in 2025, yet side trails away from Vermont Canyon Road received fewer than 40,000 entries in the same period.

Quiet routes near established landmarks

One loop begins at the north end of Canyon Drive and follows a fire road for 1.8 miles before dropping into a dry creek bed. Hikers reach the old stone picnic tables near the abandoned zoo site without passing any paid parking kiosks. Another option sits off Mulholland Drive just east of the Hollywood Bowl overlook. The path drops 400 feet in elevation through chamise and manzanita before meeting a connector that returns hikers to the ridge in under 90 minutes.

Both routes connect to the larger network maintained by the Griffith Park Trail Crew, a volunteer group that clears brush on the first Saturday of each month. Participants meet at 8 a.m. near the parking circle on Crystal Springs Drive. The crew posts updated maps on the Department of Recreation and Parks website after each session.

Practical steps for first-time users

Drivers should arrive before 7 a.m. on weekdays to secure street parking along Canyon Drive without a permit. Carry at least one liter of water per person and download the offline map from the AllTrails app, which labels the Canyon Drive spur as Trail 19. The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition offers a free monthly group walk on the second Tuesday that starts at the same trailhead and covers the 3.2-mile round trip at an easy pace.

City records indicate trail maintenance funding increased by $1.2 million in the 2026 fiscal year, with new signage planned for the Mulholland spur by September. Residents who want current conditions can call the Griffith Park ranger station at (323) 913-4688 before heading out.