Hiking to the Hollywood Sign
Six years in L.A. and I’ve never actually hiked up to the Hollywood sign.
Oh sure, I’ve hiked near it, below it, and in sight of it, but I’ve never actually hiked to it.
You know, right up to the big letters where Justin Timberlake had to get air-lifted away in the movie Friends with Benefits.
That’s the spot.
The reason it’s taken me so long to get there is mostly because I never knew how to get there. Most people in L.A. don’t, surprisingly.
But my friend Rachael solved that problem for me last week.
Rachael, Mr. Chow, and I all went for a lovely jaunt up to the famed letters. And by lovely jaunt, I mean a sweaty workout.
The whole hike, out and back, is about 4 miles and moderate difficulty. It’s more strenuous than say Runyon Canyon, but less difficult than my favorite hike in Malibu.
It was just enough of a workout for me, without tuckering Chow out too much.
Though you can’t go right up to the Hollywood sign and climb on the letters like in the movies (unless you don’t mind getting arrested), it has the best views of the whole city, out of any hike I’ve done.
You can see Lake Hollywood, Downtown, Forest Lawn Cemetary, the Valley, and all the way out to the westside.
To get there, head all the way up North Beachwood Canyon until you hit the Sunset Ranch. There’s free parking in a dirt lot there.
Look for signs on your right for the Hollyridge Trail, and head up.
The trail takes about 45 minutes to hike depending on your speed and how touristy you want to get. We saw one group of three trying to capture themselves getting air in front of the sign, with their camera perched on a tri-pod.
“Tourists”, I thought, as I snapped a panorama and asked the same group to take a picture of us.
The Hollyridge trail connects to a series of Griffith Park trails and is very easy to get lost on, which explains why so many people don’t know how to get to the Hollywood sign.
In order to avoid getting lost, take a look at the map and directions in this post before you go. When in doubt, take the turn that heads upwards. You will end at the top, Mt. Lee.
Some other things to note:
-There’s not much shade. So go before noon or after 4 p.m. and don’t forget to bring water.
–Sunset Ranch offers horseback riding (another fun thing to try up there), and they use the same trail for their rides. You know what that means…watch your step.
Another fun hike in the area is the Hollywoodland Stairs. What’s Hollywoodland you ask? Read on >>
GiGi Eats Celebrities says:
Can we go horse back riding to the H-sign??!!
Whitney English says:
Of course my dear!
Victoria says:
I was gonna hike that trail when I was in America but ended up not doing it! Too baaddd!! It seems like the peeerfect hike and that view is extraordinary! Such a cute dog youve got :)
Whitney English says:
Thanks Victoria! If you come back you should definitely try it! What did you do instead? Hope you had a good time in L.A. :)
Katy says:
I am definitely one of the people you mentioned – I’ve never had any clue as to how to get to the Hollywood sign :) Thanks for the great post, I can’t wait to hike there!
Whitney English says:
We’ll have to go sometime soon! xo
Brittany says:
I would totally sneak past the gate, this looks like an amazing hike!! I am so obsessed with your dog..I NEEEEEED!
Whitney English says:
You’re braver than I!! As for Mr. Chow, we’re always accepting applications for free Chowsitters :)
Karen @ Kama Fitness says:
This is too cool! I would love to go if I ever go to LA! <3 It would be so much fun & a realll good workout by the looks of it! lol!
Whitney English says:
It really is pretty cool :)