While physical activity may not be the first thing you’d want to do, hiking is one of the many great ways to explore nature with your friends as well as getting your steps in. Maybe after the nice hike, you can even treat yourself to some good L.A. food.
The most important thing to bring on the hike is water for hydration. Whether it’s in a hydroflask or a regular water bottle, bring something that is comfortable for you to hold. Another great item to have is a towel for wiping off sweat, and for girls, a hair tie or two. Some people prefer to bring a small backpack to put their items in, but be sure to stay as simple as possible so you don’t get weighed during the hike. Your phone is probably best kept inside a bag so that your hands are free to maneuver around.
As for clothing wear, comfort is key. Gym shorts, spandex and leggings are good options. Tank tops and t-shirts are also the basic choices for hikes as well. It’s better to keep things tighter to the body so that parts of clothes don’t fly around because of the wind and it will provide better movement when hiking.
Use shoes you don’t mind damaging! Your shoes will be covered with dirt and be put through a lot by the end of the hike, so make sure to get comfortable tennis or hiking shoes that are not expensive.
If the L.A. heat is unbearable, the mornings before 10 and the evenings after 4 are the times to go. Even if you go in between those times, check the whether in the area of the hiking spot to make sure the temperature is suitable for you. The L.A. heat can get intense and people who are not used to the weather can be more prone to getting heat strokes if they do an intense hike in the middle of the day. To protect from the UV rays, always apply sunscreen before, no matter what time of the day it is. Bring a small bottle if you want to reapply during in the hike after sweating.
There are many great spots to hike around L.A. and SoCal, and it depends on how easy or difficult you want the hike to be. Here are some good hiking spikes that vary in difficulty, but still provide a nice scenery.
Runyon Canyon
A basic hike and a good path to start off with. Check out the Hollywood Hills and reach the summit, Cloud’s Rest, for a nice view. This trail is a hotspot for people wanting a good hike with views of the Hollywood Sign, the Sunset Strip, and the L.A. Basin.
The Griffith Park Trails to The Hollywood Sign
There are multiple trails to the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Park, depending on the distance and difficulty you want to get there with.
The easiest and second shortest way is the Hollyridge trail which links up with Mulholland Fire Road to go to the back of the sign. If you’re in for a longer hike, go on Brush Canyon Trail which also intersects with these two paths.
The shortest and hardest route is the Burbank Peak Trail formerly known as the Wonder View Trail. The trail takes you to Cahuenga (Burbank) Peak with the wisdom tree, and from there, take the Aileen Getty Ridge Trail along the ridge to the back of the Hollywood sign.
Eaton Canyon Trail
Sitting at the base of the San Gabriel mountains, the Eaton Canyon Trail is a great trail to immerse in nature while going for a nice hike. Some of the great attractions are the variety of live animals and a waterfall!
Solstice Canyon
This trail is an easier hike along a paved road and has many attractions like the Tropical Terrace and the foundations of a house designed by Paul R. Williams. It’s also one of the few sites in the world that TRW tested satellite equipment for space missions. Once you reach the Rising Sun Trail, you can either turn back or choose to go forward on a harder trail to see a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.
Escondido Canyon
Want more waterfalls? Prepare to get your feet wet on this trail as you hike across Escondido Creek and Canyon. At the end of the trail is a beautiful waterfall that you can drench yourself in before heading back. Make sure to check the waterfall levels because it gets more active in the spring.
There are many hiking trails around L.A. and SoCal that offer a variety of views, attractions, and exercise. Don’t be afraid to try them out. If you’re not sure what to do with your friends one day, try hiking out!