These Picturesque Hikes Will Give You Close-Up Views of the Hollywood Sign
Catch sights of lavish LA mansions and the Hollywood Resevoir along the way.
There’s no monument more emblematic of Los Angeles than the Hollywood Sign. (Sorry, Walk of Fame.) Perched atop Mount Lee in the Santa Monica Mountains, the 45-foot letters are visible across the city and have essentially become pop culture icons, from the iconic first verse of Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the USA” to appearances in pretty much every movie that takes place in LA, like Superman, Austin Powers, and The Muppet Movie.
Yet in spite of its worldwide recognition, most people never get the chance to see the Hollywood Sign up close. Within the 4,310 acres that make up Griffith Park—LA’s better version of Central Park—there’s a tangle of trails and numerous trailheads that serve as jumping-off points to this California emblem. From easy fire roads meant for non-hikers to challenging trails for the more experienced, here are the seven best hikes to reach the Hollywood sign.
Hollywood
Distance: 2 miles round trip
Only locals really know about this mile-long gold-and-green stretch that skirts around the eastern fringes of the Hollywood Reservoir. Well, them and a handful of tourists that stumble into its northern terminus after posing for obligatory Hollywood Sign photos. Start at the southern end where there are some parking spots near the dam entrance, and work your way up to Canyon Lake Drive where photo opportunities abound. This is a gentle climb, so pack some supplies and carve out time for a picnic at Lake Hollywood Park. Don't rush on your way back; views of the reservoir and nearby mansions are stunning, especially as it approaches sunset. The Mulholland Dam is also worth a stop before you hop back in the car.
Hollywood
Distance: Up to 4.4 miles round trip
The Innsdale hike to the Hollywood Sign can be as easy or as challenging as you want it to be. From the trailhead, it’s a lovely one-mile journey at the end of Innsdale Drive through the winding Mulholland Highway, fringed with flowering shrubs to the very scenic viewpoint, making it perfect for romantic first date walks or soul-searching solo adventures. But if you’re looking for more of a challenge, continue on along Mount Lee Drive and make your way up behind the beloved sign, where you’ll be treated to shimmering views of the sprawl (especially if you wait past sunset). Pack a wide-angle lens to get all those letters in your frame.
Griffith Park
Distance: 11.8 miles
Don’t be intimidated by that over 10-mile distance. This hike, which takes you from the quiet Fern Dell Nature Trail through the wide yet dusty West and Mt. Hollywood Trails, is merely trading a shorter, steeper trek for a long and gradual incline, making it much friendlier to inexperienced hikers. There are some small sections that might take your breath away, but they are few and far between; plus, the road is paved with vistas stunning enough to distract from them. There’s hardly any shade, so you’ll want to avoid it in the middle of a hot day. Before or after you go, make sure to grab a snack or beverage under one of the big trees at The Trails cafe, right near the start of the trail.
Griffith Park
Distance: 6 miles round trip
Starting at the Charlie Turner Trailhead across the parking lot from the Observatory, this trail feels like an amalgamation of everything Griffith Park has to offer: expansive dusty tracks, shrub-fringed footpaths, and craggy bluffs. It’ll take you to Mt. Hollywood for sweeping views of the Observatory, as well as the Hollywood sign itself (which is best seen at sunset), then on to Mt. Lee for more jaw-dropping views. While some parts of this hike might not be for the less intrepid, especially the untampered Mt. Chapel Trail that’s off the tourist trail, it’s more rewarding than it’s given credit for. However, it does call for a pair of hiking shoes with excellent traction, and make sure to swap out your hiking shorts for something longer to avoid thorny stabs from the overgrown brush.
Griffith Park
Distance: 6.4 miles round trip
The Brush Canyon Trail is a favorite among Angelenos, meaning the trailhead parking lot gets pretty packed, especially on weekends. It’s well worth scavenging a spot, but if you’re a late afternoon or a night hiker, we’d recommend parking outside the gates anyway. This 3.2-mile trek to the sign is ideal if you want to work up a sweat with its 1,050-foot elevation chance and minimal shade, which is why it’s best tackled when the sun is low. If you're keen on doing it in the morning, take your time on the uphills. Luckily, the occasional tree offers a respite from the heat.
Riverside and Hogback Trails to Mount Lee
Griffith Park
Distance: 9 miles round trip
Experienced hikers typically tackle the Riverside and Hogback Trails when making their way up to Mount Hollywood. While a tad tough, the steep section of the Hogback Trail that takes you up to Dante's View and Mount Hollywood is fun and rife with photo opportunities. However, since Griffith Park’s trails are interconnected, you can certainly hit the Three-Mile Trail or the North Trail and make your way to Mt. Lee as well, which, in our opinion, is a more invigorating hike. Luckily, most of the way is wide and well-established, making it less daunting to novice hikers. Before crossing that small bridge, meander along the captivating Henry’s Trail, a wilder out-and-back path to Glendale Peak, and take a much-needed breather before heading back out.
Hollywood
Distance: 3 miles round trip
Those who are intensely turned off by steep uphills should either avoid the Burbank Peak Trail or really lean into it and make it their next big challenge. It might be among the shortest routes to the Hollywood Sign, but it’s hardly the easiest, steadily climbing more than 700 feet from the trailhead and hitting two peaks in the first mile. And, just in case that doesn’t push you past your boundaries, it’s a slightly narrow and rocky scramble up as well. Trust us when we say it’s well worth the sweat and silent tears, as there are many tantalizing spots worth pulling over for (and to use as an excuse to catch your breath), like the Wisdom Tree. Start your hike very early in the morning, and you’ll bathe in glorious rolling fog.
Sara Ventiera is a former Senior Editor for Thrillist.