Looking to spend some time outside of all the hustle and bustle in the city? Try hiking! Hiking is a fun way to switch up your workout routine and get some fresh air while you’re at it! In fact, you can burn about 500 calories per hour of moderate hiking (for a 140 lb person). So, take advantage of this sunny SoCal “winter” weather, pack up all the hiking essentials: water, sunscreen, snacks (see trail mix recipe ideas below!), and, most importantly, friends, and explore Los Angeles trail by trail!
Trek:
1. Heart of Hollywood Hike
Trail:Runyon Canyon Loop
Level:Beginner
Distance:3 miles round-trip
The Runyon Canyon Loop has stunning views of Hollywood, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you might be lucky enough to sight a celebrity! This hike is not a full-on wilderness excursion, but it’s perfect for relaxing with friends, while still gettin ‘your heart rate goin’! Just a few blocks from Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the Runyon Canyon Loop provides views of all the H-wood landmarks including: the Hollywood sign, the Sunset Strip, and the LA Basin.
Getting there:from Hollywood Boulevard head north on Fuller Avenue. Park at the end of Fuller and enter the park. Take the trail to the right and complete the loop counterclockwise.
2. Santa Monica Mountains Waterfall Hike
Trail: Escondido Canyon and Falls
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Distance: 4.2 miles round-trip
The reward for completing the Escondido Canyon and Falls hike is well worth the trek to get there! Enjoy the 150-foot Escondido Falls, the highest waterfall in the Santa Monica Mountains, at the end of your hike. Profile Pic! Hurry there, because February and March are the best times of the year to visit these falls. Grab your camera and friends for this picturesque weekend day-trip.
Getting there:head northwest on the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica. Just past Latigo Canyon Road, you will see the turnoff for East Winding Way where there is a parking lot and the entrance of Escondido Canyon Park.
3. Will Rogers State Park Hike
Trail: Rustic Canyon Loop & Inspiration Point Trail
Level: Intermediate
Distance: 6 miles round-trip
Explore what was once the private ranch of a real Hollywood star as you hike or even horseback ride through this state park. With multiple trails to choose from, this hike has views of the Santa Monica Bay, the San Gabriel Mountains, and Catalina Island. Looking to try a new way of hiking? Will Rogers State Park has tour guides and self guided tours. Mid-April to October is polo season, so you can watch the Will Rogers Polo Club in action after you complete your workout. Preppy polo hotties sound like a good post-workout reward to me! This state park is great option for a weekend getaway combined with a challenging workout (and eye candy!) that is sure to please!
Getting there:Will Rogers State Park is in Santa Monica, just off of Sunset Boulevard and east of Chatagua Boulevard.
4. Griffith Park Hikes
Trail: Griffith Observatory West Trail Loop
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Distance: 2.5 miles round-trip
Have you ever been to Central Park in New York City? Well, the Griffith Observatory right here in LA is the largest urban park in the United States, five times as large as Central Park! Griffith Park lies in the Santa Monica Mountain range and offers hikers views of canyons, creeks, springs, and diverse flowers, not to mention the breath-taking views of the Observatory in general.
Getting there:Fern Dell Picnic Area, near Los Felix Boulevard, you can find parking and restrooms. The trails begin over by the restrooms, just head up the hill towards Griffith Observatory.
5. The Hills Hike
Trail: Getty View Trailhead
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Distance: 3.6 miles round-trip
If you are looking a good excuse to skip a workout in the gym, then this hike is for you! As an added bonus, this trail is close to UCLA and has views of Bel Air, Brentwood, the Pacific Ocean, and the Getty Museum. Take some friends with you and try to point out UCLA or even your dorm or apartment from the trail! Bring a backpack and pack a light lunch inside, so you have a victory picnic ready for you when you finally make it to the top!
Getting there: the Getty View Trailhead is located on the east side of Sepulveda Pass near Getty Center Drive.
Refuel:
Combine your favorites to create a delicious (and might I add healthy!) mix that will give you energy for any hike you choose:
- Nuts(almonds, cashews, walnuts, peanuts)
- Dried fruit(cherries, blueberries, cranberries, raisins, apricots)
- Cereal (granola, Cheerios, or Chex)
- M&Ms or chocolate chips(use dark chocolate to get an anti-oxidant boost!)
- Pretzels
- Pumpkin or sunflower seeds
Sources:
http://discoverlosangeles.com/
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/trail-mix-recipe/index.html
http://www.examiner.com/outdoor-recreation-in-los-angeles
http://www.simpsoncity.com/hiking/
http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGS176-255
Pictures:
http://www.dailyfill.com/Hereos-Hottie-Hayden-Panettiere-Hikes-Hollywood…
http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/california-eaton-canyon-falls.html
http://goexplorenature.blogspot.com/2010/12/finding-inspiration-on-trail…
http://www.simpsoncity.com/hiking/griffith/eastobserv.html
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/2829731172_4efe5ebdfd.jpg?v=0
http://fineartamerica.com/images-medium/trail-mix-nancy-mueller.jpg
http://www.planetware.com/i/photo/hollywood-sign-los-angeles-cahd6.jpg