8 of the best L.A.-area hikes, according to our readers

Truism No. 1: Los Angeles is simply a patchwork of immense hiking terrain, pinch astir 1 cardinal acres successful nan L.A. area. The Angeles National Forest unsocial offers 700,000 acres and 8,000-foot-plus peaks to explore.

Truism No. 2: Even nan astir broad hiking guide can’t perchance incorporated each craggy nook and spindly trail. Which is partially what makes nan area truthful inspiring — there’s a consciousness of expansive adventure, pinch still-uncharted territory ahead.

We asked Times readers for their favourite hidden aliases go-to hiking spots that were not included successful our recent guide.

And successful our request, we were reminded of Truism No. 3: Hikers tin beryllium secretive astir their favourite getaway spots, lest they go overrun pinch ft traffic. Of nan letters we received, a fewer said things for illustration “I don’t want to show you, b/c past it’ll get crowded. LOL!” and “I’ll support it to myself. Don’t want nan litter aliases nan crowds.”

We tin respect that.

Here are a fewer hiking journeys that readers were consenting to share.

Victory Trailhead Loop

Distance and elevation gain: 5.1-mile loop, 408 feet

Why? “Has everything anyone would want from a section trail. Caves to research and an wide awesome measurement to workout connected a regular basis.”

What makes it other special: “It sits successful a very suburban area but erstwhile you’re connected nan trail, it doesn’t consciousness that way. Feels very distant and far, bully for clearing your mind without walking excessively far.”

Address: Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, occidental extremity of Victory Boulevard successful Woodland Hills

—Jose Arias, San Fernando Valley

A position of nan Hollywood sign, pinch a backdrop of nan snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains, from atop a hiking highest successful nan Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area

Distance and elevation gain: 2.8-mile loop, 393 feet

Why? “Some bully elevation, immoderate bully workout if you usage nan full loop, but it’s really for incredible, unobstructed, panoramic views.”

What makes it other special: “Best of all, you tin bring your dog. (On a leash, but please bring h2o for you and nan dog!)”

Address: Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, 4100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles

—Steven Matthews, Los Angeles

Janelle Matthews catches her activity aft conquering nan Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook and Culver City steps successful August 2023.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook and Culver City Steps

Distance and elevation gain: 1.4-mile loop, 334 feet

Why? “Stairs, stairs and stairs.”

What makes it other special: “Four times up is astir nan balanced number of floors to climbing nan stairs to nan apical of nan Empire State Building! And moreover nan switchback measurement up still gets you a bully workout. (Many dogs seen, but not permitted legally!)”

Address: 6105 Hetzler Road (at Jefferson Boulevard), Culver City

—Steven Matthews, Los Angeles

Caballero Canyon Trail originates disconnected Reseda Boulevard successful Tarzana, twisting and climbing its measurement to unpaved Mulholland Drive.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Caballero Canyon Trail

Distance and elevation gain: 1.4 miles retired and back, 558 feet

Why? “Ideal for fleeing nan oppressive power notorious for yellowing armpits successful that peculiar portion of town. A fewer alluring features of this way are nan diverseness of plants and animals up for nan gawking, nan breath-snatching panoramic views, and nan scarcity of crowds and inexplicable abundance of parking. It’s a veritable paradise plunked successful nan mediate of sweltering nowhere.”

What makes it other special: “I bask nan scramble and huff up nan challenging crags. I’ll sometimes way tally up and will person to bound complete a basking, slumbering snake aliases two. Harmless but spooked. Not to mention nan scramble of feral rabbits darting each which measurement arsenic I travel lumbering down nan path. It’s that benignant of ravenous tranquility nary magnitude of yoga aliases meditation tin ever dream to attain. No mini magnitude of nirvana, I say.”

Address: Topanga State Park, 4047 Reseda Blvd. successful Tarzana

—Tommy Vinh Bui, Pacoima

Sunrise astatine nan Forrestal Nature Preserve, a coastal sage scrub habitat.

(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Forrestal Preserve Loop

Distance and elevation gain: 2.9-mile loop, 757 feet

Why? “I for illustration to make a loop of nan Pirate Trail, Mariposa Trail, Flying Mane Trail, Fossil Trail and backmost connected Forrestal Drive to nan starting point.”

What makes it other special: “Stunning water and coastline views. Hillsides covered pinch wildflowers nan past 2 springs successful April and May. Even a mini stream, which is very uncommon successful Palos Verdes.”

Address: 32201 Forrestal Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes

—Jay Bacon, Palos Verdes Estates

Los Leones Trail

Distance and elevation gain: 4.0 miles retired and back, 1,046 feet

Why? “Love this hike because it’s an easy-to-get-to hike pinch beautiful views. And it’s a bully workout, but not excessively challenging to do each week.”

What makes it other special: “For me, there’s a consciousness of bid present — you consciousness for illustration you’re almost connected a mini-vacation, moreover though you’re 20 minutes from home.”

Address: 585 Los Liones Drive, Pacific Palisades

—Janette Haddad, Santa Monica

The Griffith Park trail, en way to nan Griffith Observatory.

(Jacqueline Pinedo / Los Angeles Times)

Griffith Zoo to Observatory Loop

Distance and elevation gain: 7.4-mile loop, 1,702 feet

Why? “Challenging, but worthy nan scenery and a pleasant locomotion successful quality each twelvemonth long.”

What makes it other special: “[Taking] power of specified reliable hiking heights.”

Address: Griffith Park, merry-go-round batch 1 aliases 2, 4668 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles

—Jaime Vargas Sr., San Bernardino

Upper Cabin Trail Loop

Distance and elevation gain: 8.8-mile loop, 2,683 feet

Why? “It’s secluded and dreamy, positive nosy scrambling up to nan backside of Sandstone Peak.”

What makes it other special: “Wildflowers for illustration thing I’ve ever seen astir nan L.A. area successful nan spring. And erstwhile nan clouds rotation successful arsenic you hike to nan acme supra them, it’s rather magical. The measurement backmost has treacherous eroded mini-canyons, you person to surmount carefully, truthful nan reward astatine nan extremity makes it overmuch better.”

Address: 4124 1/2 Potrero Road, Thousand Oaks

—Panit Buranapramest, Gardena