California, United States
Hiking trails near Los Angeles
42 quality-checked hiking routes are currently mapped within 60 km of Los Angeles, California, United States. Together their route lines cover 952 km. The average route is 22.7 km with 574 m (1,883 ft) of recorded ascent.
- 42
- Trails
- 60 km
- Search radius
- 10
- Easy routes
- 9.7 km
- Closest
The directory difficulty mix is 10 easy (24%), 19 moderate (45%) and 13 hard or expert (31%). 3 routes (7%) are recorded as loops. Difficulty is calculated from available distance and elevation data; it is not a statement about technical terrain or current conditions.
The most frequent route tags are mountain (13), river (6), canyon and gorge (3), coastal (2). The highest recorded point in this set is 2,776 m (9,108 ft). The place-level planning field lists varies by region as the preferred season; check each route and official notices for live access and weather. PCT - California Section D, Silver Moccasin Trail (NRT), Gabrielino Trail currently lead this page’s directory ranking, which uses route completeness and computed route scores rather than editorial field testing.
Choose by the details
How do these routes differ?
A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.
Shortest mapped distance in this sample
43.9 km
High Desert National Recreation TrailCompare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.
Lowest recorded ascent in this sample
220 m
California Mission Trail - stage 03 San Juan Capistrano to Mission San Gabriel Arcangel6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.
Return logistics
0 recorded loops
Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.
Plan the return journey →| Route | Distance | Ascent | Moving time | Shape |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT - California Section D | 176 km | 4,010 m | 47 hr | Point to point |
| Silver Moccasin Trail (NRT) | 95.3 km | 4,451 m | 28 hr | Point to point |
| Gabrielino Trail | 52.7 km | 2,498 m | 15 hr | Point to point |
| Backbone Trail | 108 km | 2,914 m | 29 hr | Point to point |
| California Mission Trail - stage 03 San Juan Capistrano to Mission San Gabriel Arcangel | 120 km | 220 m | 28 hr | Point to point |
| High Desert National Recreation Trail | 43.9 km | 2,056 m | 13 hr | Point to point |
Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.
Other places nearby
Guides around Los Angeles
- Hiking Trails Under 10 km near Los Angeles28
- Hiking Trails Under 5 km near Los Angeles23
- Moderate Hiking Trails near Los Angeles19
- Best Mountain Hikes near Los Angeles13
- Hard Hiking Trails near Los Angeles13
- Hiking Trails Over 20 km near Los Angeles11
- Family-Friendly Hikes near Los Angeles10
- Easy Hiking Trails near Los Angeles10
- Best Riverside Hikes near Los Angeles6
Frequently asked questions
Plan with more confidence
All planning articles →Choosing a route
How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label
Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.
Read article →Understanding the map
Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb
Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.
Read article →Planning your day
Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace
Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.
Read article →