Mt Hollywood Trail Hiking Guide
Mt Hollywood is the highest peak inside Griffith Park, rising to roughly 1,625 feet above sea level and offering some of the most accessible panoramic views in all of Los Angeles. The trail winds through coastal sage scrub and chaparral, past the iconic Griffith Observatory, and rewards hikers with unobstructed sightlines stretching from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Pacific Ocean on clear days. Despite sitting inside one of the country's largest urban parks, the route feels surprisingly removed from city noise once you gain elevation. It is a practical choice for weekday morning hikes, weekend group outings, and everything in between.
Trail Overview and Route Options.
The most popular approach to Mt Hollywood's summit begins near the Griffith Observatory, which itself sits at about 1,135 feet. From there, the trail climbs steadily northwest along the Mt Hollywood Drive fire road and connecting singletrack paths before reaching the summit area. A common out-and-back loop covers approximately 6 miles with around 800 feet of cumulative elevation gain, though multiple connector trails inside Griffith Park let you customize the length anywhere from 3 to 8 miles. The West Observatory Trail and the Fern Dell entrance both serve as alternate starting points, giving hikers flexible options depending on parking availability and how much mileage they want to log.
Scenic Highlights Along the Way.
The trail delivers layered views at almost every switchback. On clear winter mornings after rainfall, you can see the downtown Los Angeles skyline, the Hollywood Sign, Catalina Island, and snowcapped peaks in the San Gabriels simultaneously — a genuinely rare combination for an urban hike. The Griffith Observatory itself is a visual anchor from multiple vantage points along the climb. Higher up, an open bench near the summit marker provides a 360-degree perspective that rewards the effort. Sunrise hikes are particularly popular here because the soft morning light catches the basin before smog accumulates, making the views noticeably sharper than midday.
Wildlife and Natural Environment.
Griffith Park supports a surprisingly diverse urban ecosystem, and the Mt Hollywood Trail passes through much of it. Coyotes are commonly spotted in the early morning and near dusk — keep dogs leashed and close during these hours. Mule deer occasionally graze the upper chaparral slopes, and red-tailed hawks and Cooper's hawks are frequent overhead. Native plants including black sage, laurel sumac, and toyon line the trail corridor, blooming visibly in late winter and spring. The park also lies within a documented mountain lion range, though sightings on this particular trail are rare. Staying aware of your surroundings adds to — rather than detracts from — the experience.
Access, Parking, and Trailheads.
Griffith Park has several access points, and parking strategy matters, especially on weekends. The lot below the Griffith Observatory fills early and often requires timed-entry reservations through the city's parking system on busy days — check the Los Angeles Recreation and Parks website before you go. Vermont Canyon Road and Western Canyon Road both offer additional trailhead access with less crowding. Street parking along Los Feliz Boulevard is a reliable fallback for early starters. The park is accessible by Metro bus lines and is bikeable from several surrounding neighborhoods, making car-free access a realistic option for many Angelenos.
Best Times to Visit and Seasonal Conditions.
Fall, winter, and spring are the strongest seasons for Mt Hollywood. Summer months bring triple-digit heat indexes on exposed ridgeline sections, and smog typically reduces visibility to a fraction of its potential. October through April offers the clearest air and most comfortable temperatures, generally ranging from the mid-50s to low 70s Fahrenheit during peak hiking hours. After winter rains, the hillsides green up quickly and wildflowers appear from February through April. Spring mornings often provide the best combination of mild temperatures and vivid views. If you do hike in summer, start before 8 a.m. and bring significantly more water than you think you need.
Safety Considerations and Group Hiking.
Although Mt Hollywood Trail is an urban hike, it crosses isolated terrain where cell service can drop and encounters with wildlife or unstable footing are possible. Going with at least one other person is strongly advisable, and hiking in a group of three or more adds a meaningful safety margin if someone gets injured. The trail is heavily trafficked on weekend mornings, but quieter midweek afternoons can feel quite solitary in the upper sections. Bring enough water for the full distance — there are no reliable water sources on the trail itself. Wearing sun protection is essential year-round given the exposed ridgeline stretches, and sturdy trail shoes are recommended over road sneakers on the rockier upper sections.
Hiking tips for Mt Hollywood Trail
- Start before 8 a.m. on weekends to secure parking near the Observatory and avoid the steepest heat on exposed sections.
- Bring at least 2 liters of water per person — there are no water refill stations once you leave the Observatory plaza.
- Keep dogs on a 6-foot leash at all times; coyote activity is highest in the morning and evening hours near the upper trail.
- For the clearest panoramic views, hike the day after a significant rainstorm when particulates have settled out of the basin air.
- Download an offline map of Griffith Park before you go — cell service is intermittent on the upper trail and the connector paths can be confusing without a reference.
Nearby trails to explore
- Runyon Canyon Trail
- Wisdom Tree Trail (Cahuenga Peak).
- Brush Canyon Trail to Charlie Turner Trailhead.
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Finding a reliable hiking partner for Mt Hollywood is easy with TrailMates — browse nearby hikers by pace and experience level, plan a group meetup with the built-in 3-person safety minimum, or join a women-only outing through the park. Download the TrailMates app and connect with Los Angeles hikers who are ready to hit the trail.