The Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles is one of the most recognizable landmarks globally. Although the sign does not have national landmark recognition, one of the most popular tourist activities when visiting Los Angeles is hiking up and taking a picture near the Hollywood Sign. There are many routes to reach the Hollywood sign. How long does it take to hike to the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles?
When hiking to the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, there are various routes to choose from. The most popular trail is the Brush Canyon Trail. This is a six-mile roundtrip trail to the Hollywood sign and takes about three hours to complete. The Hollywood sign hike has an elevation gain of 1050 feet.
Hiking up to the Hollywood sign is possible all year, and you don’t need any permits to do this hike. You are welcome to bring dogs on the trail as long as they are on a leash. Depending on the route you take, hiking to the Hollywood sign isn’t too strenuous and something you can participate in no matter what your fitness level is. Unfortunately, the trails mostly aren’t wheelchair friendly.
How Long To Reach The Hollywood Sign In Los Angeles?
There are various routes to get to the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles. The Hollywood sign is located on Mount Lee in Griffith Park. Here are the trails you can take to hike to the Hollywood sign:
Hiking To The Hollywood Sign Via The Brush Canyon Trail
This is one of the most popular hikes to reach the Hollywood sign. This is one of the longest routes to get to the Hollywood sign. Still, the trailhead offers the most parking availability. Starting at the end of Brush Canyon drive, you can hike to the Hollywood sign and back in roughly 3 hours and is 6.4 miles long. This trail has an elevation gain of 1050 feet. Some steep sections make this trail more difficult.
Hiking To The Hollywood Sign Via The Burbank Peak Trail
Hiking to the Hollywood sign via the Burbank Peak Trail is the shortest distance. The trail is only a three-mile round trip and can be completed within an hour, depending on your fitness level. However, Burbank Peak Trail is the most challenging route to reach the Hollywood Sign and promises to leave you exhausted. The Burbank Peak Trail has an elevation gain of 875 feet.
Hiking To The Hollywood Sign Via The Hollyridge Trail
Hollyridge Trail offers the second-shortest hiking option to the Hollywood Sign. This trail is a 3.5 – mile roundtrip hike and starts at Beachwood Drive. Expect an elevation gain of 750 feet when hiking to the Hollywood sign via the Hollyridge Trail. Unfortunately, this trail has the least available parking space, and you might need to park far away from the trailhead.
Hiking To The Hollywood Sign Via Innsdale Drive
This trail is 4.6 miles long and has an elevation gain of 750 feet. Although this trail takes slightly longer to reach the Hollywood Sign, it offers a head-on approach. You will see the sign from the front for most of the hike. Depending on the speed at which you hike, you will be hiking for roughly two hours in total.
Hiking To The Hollywood Sign Via Griffith Observatory Trail
Hiking to the Hollywood Sign via the Griffith Observatory trail will take about 5 hours to complete. This is the longest trail at 8.8 miles round trip and has an elevation gain of 575 feet. Although this trail takes the longest route to the Hollywood Sign, it has the lowest elevation. Therefore, it is a more suitable route for those with knee problems. In addition, it can easily be turned into a day hike.
Regardless of the route you take, hiking to the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles promises to be heaps of fun for everyone hiking.
What To Know Before Hiking To The Hollywood Sign
All the routes to the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles are reasonably safe, and there are no exceptionally challenging parts of the hike. However, there are still things you must take note of before hiking to the Hollywood Sign. Here are some tips for hiking to the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles:
- Start early. The Hollywood Sign is open all year, and you can go any time of the day. However, as temperatures get excruciatingly hot during summer, it is best to start your hike early in the morning. Sunrise and sunset hikes to the Hollywood Sign are also popular. Note that Griffith Park closes from sunrise to sunset, so be sure of your timing.
- Pack warm clothes. Regardless of the temperatures, there might be a breeze when you reach the Hollywood sign. It is therefore always advisable to pack a warm jacket if it gets cold.
- Beware of the wildlife. Keep in mind that you are hiking in a field and that wild animals live in the vicinity. Rattlesnakes, bobcats, and coyotes are some of the animals you might encounter when hiking to the Hollywood sign. Wear proper clothing and closed shoes.
- Bring enough water and food. Unfortunately, there aren’t any food stalls on the trails heading to the Hollywood Sign. It is, therefore, important that you pack enough water and snacks to keep you going while busy with the hike. Remember to take water for your dog, too, if you are hiking with one.
- Don’t litter or smoke on the trail. Not littering should be obvious. There aren’t any trashcans along the trail. Therefore, you must take all your trash with you. During the summer, wildfires are a serious risk in Los Angeles. Therefore, don’t smoke on the trail as this could potentially cause a wildfire.
Furthermore, be courteous to other hikers and take care not to harm the environment. Don’t try to cross the fence to get closer to the Hollywood Sign, as you could get into serious trouble. Once you have completed the hike to the Hollywood sign, there are also many other fun places to visit in Griffith Park. For example, an abandoned zoo, tropical gardens, a Greek theater, and the Griffith Observatory.
Conclusion
Hiking up to the Hollywood Sign when in Los Angeles can be a fun pastime. There are many routes to get to the Hollywood sign, so you can decide how long you want your hike to be. Watch out for the wild animals found in the area and pack enough food and beverages for the hike.
Be mindful of other hikers and the environment when hiking to the Hollywood sign and enjoy the views of Los Angeles from one of the most iconic landmarks in the world.
