The Perfect Hike For You
By: Ela Rybak ‘25
As USC students, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with work and find ourselves not going outside as much as we probably should. Hiking is a great way to get out and relieve stress, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to find the perfect trail!
If you’re looking for even more hiking ideas than what’s on this list, try the app AllTrails. AllTrails includes each trail's descriptions, distance, reviews, and photos from other hikers.
Closest to campus
Echo Park Lake Loop
This trail surrounds one of the most well-known LA lakes. The trail is well-traveled and full of trees, ducks, and swans. If you’re looking for even more to do, try the swan pedal boats you can rent to explore the lake after your hike! Although it’s an amazing hiking spot for any time of the day, sunset is the best. The scenery, mixed with the illuminating pink, orange, and red lights of sunset makes for a perfect picnic spot for an evening with friends or a date!
Distance from USC: 4.8 miles
Distance of trail: 1 mile
Level: Easy
Elevation Gain: 16 ft.
Elysian Park West Loop Trail
Elysian Park is full of beautiful views of LA, and it’s an excellent way to get away from the busy portions of the city. I recommend walking the trail counterclockwise for a less strenuous hike and fewer inclines. Also, be ready to see horses on this trail as there are stables snear certain parts of the hike! In the spring, it is very green, and there are tons of wildflowers in the park.
Distance from USC: 5 miles
Distance of trail: 2.3 miles
Level: Easy
Elevation Gain: 236 ft.
Most wildlife and greenery
Solstice Canyon Loop, Malibu
This is the perfect trail for multiple stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. You’ll also see lots of wildlife and a few historical sites that are remnants of Malibu’s history. Before the 1800s, Malibu was inhabited by the Chumash tribe, but Spanish colonists soon took over and made the oceanside area into a ranching community. You can see remnants of one of the first ranches known as the Keller House along this hike.
Distance from USC: 27 miles
Distance of trail: 3 miles
Level: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 669 ft.
Hollyridge Trail to Hollywood Sign
Hollyridge is full of greenery and great for walking, jogging, and horseback riding! It’s not very crowded, and the hike includes the chance to see the Hollywood Sign up close. It offers a perfect chance for a steady hike with multiple photo opportunities along the way. I love doing this hike with friends as we are able to walk and talk without being heavily out of breath.
Distance from USC: 7.5 miles
Distance of trail: 5.1 miles
Level: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 849 ft.
Fryman Canyon Trail, Studio City
Fryman Canyon Trail is one of the most popular San Fernando Valley trails, full of views of the nearby hills and some beautiful real estate. It’s the perfect hike for any time of the day! It’s also a great workout because it is half uphill and half downhill. If you aren’t up for a walk or jog, this trail is very bicycle friendly.
Distance from USC: 10 miles
Distance of trail: 2.6 miles
Level: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 456 ft.
Old Stagecoach Road, Chatsworth
This isn’t the closest to USC, but it’s worth the drive! There is nowhere in LA that looks like Chatsworth. Historically, this trail was the path people used to cross through the mountains with their stagecoaches back in the 1800s. The two types of wildlife that travel this path most are bunnies and many different species of birds. This hike also offers views of the entire San Fernando Valley. Also, some of the most popular Westerns were filmed in these mountains!
Distance from USC: 25 miles
Distance of trail: 3 miles
Level: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 708 ft.
Waterfalls
Paradise Falls via Mesa, Teepee, & Moonridge Trail, Thousand Oaks
This trail is a little bit of a drive from USC, but it’s one of the nicest waterfall trails near LA. As my personal favorite trail, it makes LA feel like a world away since it’s surrounded by many mountains, trees, and fields of flowers. I enjoy this trail the most in the spring and fall. In the fall, it is a great spot to see the leaves change color, and in the spring, there are always thousands of flowers in bloom. Although the waterfall is not swimmable, the area around the waterfall has many rocks to sit on and picnic benches so that you can enjoy a nice snack or meal.
Distance from USC: 38 miles
Distance of trail: 2.8 miles
Level: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 498 ft.
Santa Ynez Canyon Waterfall Trail, Pacific Palisades
This is one of the closest waterfall trails to downtown LA, and it has the added bonus of having different rope swings and ladders from previous hikers. Leading up to the beautiful waterfall at the end of the trail are many different colorful wildflowers as well as an abundance of butterflies.
Distance from USC: 18 miles
Distance of trail: 2.3 miles
Level: Easy
Elevation Gain: 223 ft.
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