A short, relatively easy trail loop in one of the most accessible areas of Los Angeles’ mountains. Quick access and very dog-friendly, although the crowds may leave you longing for something a bit further in the wilderness.
The Basics:
- Distance: 3 miles
– Elevation Gain: About 675 feet.
– Time: Just over an hour.
– Trail Condition: Excellent. Paved and unpaved fire road, and clearly marked footpaths. The trails are well-maintained and mostly unlittered, which
is surprising for the amount of traffic they get. There are a few steep sections on the western trail, so newcomers may want to stick to the central fire road or eastern trail.
– How to Get There: From the south, there are entrances on Fuller Avenue and
Vista Street, north of Franklin. Parking close to the Canyon entrance is all permitted residential, so you’ll have to add a small sidewalk trek to your distance. The Canyon’s north entrance is at Mullholland Drive and Runyon Canyon Road, just west of the 101.
- Map It
The Notables:
- Very close to urban Los Angeles and the Valley.
– Gently graded trails and fire roads – you don’t need hiking boots for this.
– Very dog-friendly, with many sections of the park where you don’t need to have your canine buddy on a leash.
- A few areas of historical significance, such as the ruins of the Outpost Sign, and several relics of homes and recreation grounds built by Frank Lloyd Wright and Lloyd Wright.
More Pictures:
- On Flickr.
I make fun of Runyon Canyon. A lot.
Whenever I meet someone new, eventually (if the conversation is going well, that is) I will bring up the subject of hiking. More often than not, when I excitedly ask where they lace up their boots, the response is "oh, I love Runyon."
The voice in my head says, "oh, you mean the dog park off Hollywood Boulevard?" while the voice in my mouth encourages them to explore some hiking that’s not in view of Amoeba Records, knowing full well they probably never will.
I’m real fun to talk to, by the way.
But now that I live so close to the place, I decided I should probably check it out. I kind of feel bad making fun of the place without actually ever having been there. Not too bad, though. And definitely not bad at all when I was trying to find parking among the Hollywood Hills mini-mansions. Permit parking is lame.
After walking past the iron gates and inside the park proper, the crowd was almost exactly as I’d expected. Well-groomed dudes with tiny dogs and girls in stretch pants, chatting on their Blackberries. If you like your hikes peppered with cell phone conversations about script coverage and development deals, you are in for a treat and a half!
Having walked on pavement the entire way up the street, you’ll continue for a short distance inside the park. If you take the ascending road (a left in the fork), you’ll pass another, smaller gate. On your left hand side, there is a small dirt trail going through some of the brush and onto the hillside. You will notice few people using this path. That should encourage you to take it.
This path winds around the south face of the western hill, providing a decent viewpoint of the Los Angeles sprawl.
As it continues, the path does get a bit more rugged, and does have several sections of steep elevation gain. It’s definitely not the toughest stretch of trail I’ve ever done, but it was definitely more difficult than I was expecting. It does prevent the western trail from being just an outdoor track, and was a nice surprise for me.
This canyon is close for most Angelenos, but what you gain in convenience, you give up in hiking experience. While you’ll get some sun – and will technically be outside – you will never get the sense of remoteness or seclusion that you could get by spending just a bit more time getting to a different trailhead. Crowds and urbanized hikers aside, you are never once in a location where you can look around and not see overwhelming signs of civilization. Whether it’s paved fire roads, the sprawl of the city, or a portion of the hike where the trail literally comes up against the wall of a mansion.
Or the Hollywood Sign itself, with Actual Wilderness seen just tantalizingly behind it.
Once you get to the north end of the park, near Mullholland Drive, you can take a dirt fire road down the center of the Canyon, or hug a ridge on the eastern edge. The grade of the eastern hill is less challenging than its western counterpart, and the trail has a staircase built into the hill on the major ascent.
The eastern trail also and has a few nice scenic vista points with benches, if you’re in the mood for soaking up some sprawl views.
Me, I like my benches empty. And in the wilderness. But these’ll do in a pinch.
Wow, I guess it’s tough for me to not be critical of Runyon. But honestly, I’m glad it’s here. If, while strolling here, someone even has the glimmer of the idea to maybe check out more hiking trails in the area, then it’s done its job. And if not, then at least it keeps the joggers from overcrowding the rest of my San Gabriels.
*** For more information on Runyon Canyon, check out this site.
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Hey there — I’m glad you did this recon mission before I did. I’ve resisted “hiking” Runyon for the same reasons: it just doesn’t feel like a hike when you’re that close to Sunset Blvd. Heck, I live a block from Sunset (though notably further East).
I’ve been very negligent of my hiking duties lately. To my credit, I tried to hike in Romania last month but got food poisoning and had to sit it out. BF took some good pictures, though.
Oh Los Angeles the capital of convenience, how far can mankind take laziness, soon they will consider the Strand a hiking destination
hey there.
Not everyone is loaded enough to take hiking trips whenever they feel like it. Stop being a jack ass and remember us folk who like to step out of the 4 walls of a gym once and a while you pompus ASS!!!!!!
If you read the actual description of Runyon, I am aware that Runyon is not for me, but I’m glad that it’s there. People who are looking for a “hiking experience” inside L.A. would be better serviced by other local routes like Solstice, Topanga, or even Bear Canyons. I know if I were searching for a hiking trail and someone told me to go to Runyon, I’d be disappointed.
But, like I say in this write-up, getting outside for any reason is better than running the track at Ballys.
Oh, I’m also not loaded. But thanks for thinking that.
i totally understand the writers purpose…i lived in boulder colorado previously so runyon is not what i would call a majestic scene. esp with that hideous, empty mansion at the top! but i love the humor in this. dog piss and over tanned teens aside, i still hit the canyon when i want a close and good push for my body. i recommend taking the west side up and the easy middle way down. good hour of pumping legs and arms. and nice view!
Haters! Dam! I live two lights away from Runyon and I go there as much as I can with my lab mix. Sorry im not some well accredited hiker, but being from FL, which is completely flat, I think Runyon Canyon is beautiful, convenient, and worth it. Although more remote places outdoors are ideal, I will work with what I got and appreciate it.
Thanks for the article. I live in BC, Canada and we have some amazing hiking. I used to live in and around Vancouver and the Squamish both have amazing rain forest type hikes. I understand the need for isolation and natural beauty when going on a hike. That being said, I do think the Canyon offers some spectacular views and is very pretty in its own right.
I understand the perspective and humor of the writer. But when I go down to CA I’ll be hiking this canyon for sure. Can’t wait to see the iconic Hollywood sign in person.
This article completely misses the point of what Runyon means to the people who frequent it. I am sure his next article will summarize his inability to escape civilization hiking in Central Park. Go there yourself and appreciate the views and the challenging west trail.
i agree, the bench is definitely better if it’s empty!
I love runyan!! I hike up and run down. When I do this at least 4 times a week and notice how much easier it gets every-time. Yeah its close to the hustle and bustle of hollywood but for those of us who are really there to work out its quite enjoyable.
hi jes! i bet it really is enjoyable if you’re close to hollywood.. ooh how i wish i could hike there too!
I’m from Chicago & recently took the “hike” up Runyon Canyon. Coming from Chicago, trails like this do not exist. For me, the view & the exercise was wonderful. If I lived in LA, I’d be there everyday.
hello! i wwant to know what time Runyon Canyon close? thanks!
I’m from the Chicago area as well and must say the mountains here in CA are still a novelty for me even after living here for five years.
Runyon Canyon opens at sunrise and closes at sunset. I could be wrong about this but I know that Griffith Park operates on that schedule.
Runyon Canyon is a funny place indeed. I feel the terrain offers a good challenge for training and the view of suburban sprawl helps to remind us how important protected wilderness areas are. If you like Runyon Canyon then make sure to try out the trail through Griffith Park to the top of Mt. Hollywood (the peak next to the Hollywood sign. The Hollywood sign in on Mt. Mark). I like this trail better. Note that there is not alot of shade on these trails; so be sure to avoid them during the middle of the day during hot weather.
youre loaded enough to live in hollywood but not loaded enough to go hiking? hmmm.
If you bring your I-pod and take the high trail… you actually can get some sense of seclusion up in Runyon. It’s busier up there than it used to be, back in the day… but it’s a close-in way to get some outdoor cardio and fresh air, with breezes blowing off the coast and no car fumes!
I see alot of “Runyon” bashing here. What are ya’ll complaining about? Exercise sucks all the way around. Who cares where you do it, what the view is or how close or far it is from “H-O-L-L-Y-W-O-O-D”. Kudos to everyone whose out moving opposed to home sitting on thier fat, high cholesterol, diabetic, cellulite asses!!!! If I lived closer I’d go…but I settle for the sand dune (yes dune, plural) in Manhattan Beach.
Runyon’s fine, it’s just not what a lot of hikers would consider hiking. I agree with you that anytime anyone’s outside being active, it’s a benefit to everyone, but if you’re looking for solitude or interesting landscapes – like many hikers do – you ain’t gonna get ‘em here. Even though it’s still popular, Fryman Canyon – just over the Hills – is a much more enjoyable trail in my opinion.
I will say, however, that the dusk view from the top of Runyon – as the LA lights start popping up on our giant urban grid – is pretty amazing and definitely worth seeing.
Run up to the trail, run to the top (no, don’t walk), run back to the bottom, and back to your house or hotel (6 miles from where I usually stay) and tell me you don’t have a great workout and buzz from the whole experience. Your heart rate will jack to the max. I am a marathon runner who lives in NYC and I found this last trip and I can’t wait to do it again. Nice and dry out west vs. the humidity of the east and you guys shouldn’t take this resource for granted!
thanks for the great review. i’m going to check this out soon!
Great review.
Its called Runyon Canyon Park, not Mt. Everest Park.
Hikers who expect a ‘hike’, are looking at the wrong map.
Great place to walk the loop with your friend(whom likes dogs) or dog.
If you’re going for the view, go on a clear day.
If you’re going for a run, go before 7:30am. Its a LOT cooler.
Go in the early morning to see wild life. Love to see the fog in the valley.
I saw 5 rabbits, 2 squirrels & 1 gopher one early morning.
My wife’s friend recommended doing this hike since it was dog friendly. And, after reading your review, we decided to give it a shot this past Sat. We enjoyed it for what it is… a nice urban hike set in the middle of the city. We got there around 8am and parking was tough to find, it was already crowded, the faint smell of dog urine was throughout with “bombs” on the ground if you didn’t watch your step. :) Don’t get me wrong, we had a nice workout and our dog really seemed to like it as well. If you’re expecting fresh air, seclusion and the sounds of nature, you’ll be disappointed for sure. Take it for what it is, and you might even see a celeb or two!
I am visiting from Florida, staying in Century City. I asked the concierge a place to go for a hike and they suggested Runyon. I didn’t have a car so I took a city bus (which was remarkably clean and accessible) to LeBrea/Santa Monica and walked up to the park which added an extra mile or so each way to my work out. I too wouldn’t consider it necessarily a rugged hike, growing up in NC I am accustomed to the Appalachian Mountains. However, the fact that I was by myself made it nice to have multiple hikers around. The concierge mentioned other trails he would not send me to because I was alone and if I sprained an ankle I wouldn’t see another hiker for a while. I found the uphills to be somewhat challenging and the views spectacular. I don’t love the houses along the trail but one of them had 3 horses in the back yard so that was fun to see. I hadn’t heard that it would be a celebrity spotting place but as I was climbing it crossed my mind, “I wouldn’t be surprised to run into Matthew McConaughey on a run out here.”
Just wanted to let you know that another website has completely plagiarized your work: http://www.runyonromp.com. Thanks for all the information.
Thanks, JSL. I’ve already sent an email. That site pretty much just copied and pasted this write up and stole my images without attribution. Not cool!
Not too long ago, I was staying with a friend who lives not terribly far from where that iron-gated entrace stands.
I would go for a run every morning, and I ended up discovering it entirely by accident, and decided to make an attempt to run both up and down the path. I found that experience quite invigorating, and found myself doing this several times while staying in the area.
(Mind you, the first time certainly kicked my backside good and proper….)
On Labor Day, I was walking my friend’s small dog, Nigel, in Runyon. Suddenly, an angry pit bull came running out from a side trail and brutally attacked Nigel. He sunk his teeth in Nigel’s neck and wouldn’t let go. 3 guys tried to pull the dog off to no avail. Finally, a good samaritan came running up the hill and pull the pit’s hind legs from under him, which caused him to open his mouth and drop Nigel. Nigel was badly wounded and we rushed him to the vet, but unfortuantely, he did from his wounds. The owner of the Pit Bull claimed it was her friend’s dog. She gave us the name of the owner as Charles Holton at 661-753-3383, but the phone number ws disconnected. The Pit Bull is a white dog named Caspar. If anyone has information that would help us identify the owner, please contact me at rosabel_tao@hotmail.com. There was a local TV news story about this: http://cbs2.com/video/?id=113681@kcbs.dayport.com. Thank you.
Thanks for the information on Runyon Canyon. I visit the area quite a bit and now I will be able to sneak away for a short hike.
I do runyon occasionally and the biggest reason i love it is because it’s convenient. I want my hike to be as convenient as suiting up and heading to the gym because when things are convenient, you are more prone to do it routinely since it’s not a huge task to get ready for runyon. I live 15min away from Runyon, park my car up on Mulholland area (free parking), put on my weight vest and spend an hour of my time doing this pretty strenuous (again – conditioning vest with that kind of elevation isn’t an easy task) trail. All in all – I can hit my boxing gym 4-5x a week, hit runyon once a week on a sunny saturday morning and it definetely puts a toll on my body!
Why do they call it a canyon when it’s a mountain?
First time…OMG…what a work out… I Love it… !!!! Just one minor thing; I LOVE dogs, but they are everywhere, large, small and tiny. The big ones I am ok with because I can see and and run around them. The small dogs are a and then the TINY dogs are a challenge!!!! Throughout my run, I jumped over two and almost smashed one…Thank GOD for fast reactions. The poor little fellow looked at me as if to say….”…PLEASE DON’T STEP ONE ME SIR…”
Overall, I love it up there and will return as soon as I recover…. : )
Chris,
Glad you were able to get a good workout without stepping on any Hollywood Fashion Dogs! Runyon is a nice refresher for the legs, but it’s definitely crowded. If you like this trail, try going earlier in the day, or checking out one of the nearby runs like Fryman Canyon or something in the Verdugo Mountains. They’re still popular, but usually not as crowded as Runyon.