Angelinos are famously reluctant to walk anywhere, and the city itself is hardly pedestrian-friendly. But step beyond the city limits and youβll find enough great hiking and backpacking trails to rival anywhere in the country, and plenty of city dwellers heading off on outdoor adventures at the weekend.
Β From coastal cliff walks and ocean views to forested trails and steep mountain hikes, LA caters to hikers of pretty much every stripe. There are wonderfully gentle trails just on the edge of the city, as well as more challenging overnight backpacking routes, which makes LA a wonderful destination for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. So if you fancy the perfect blend of nature and luxury, hitting the trails before heading off on a cruise from Los Angeles is the next step on your vacation bucket list. Take a look at some of these great backpacking spots near LA, and get planning right away!
El Matador State Beach
LAβs iconic beach is also a fantastic place to hike. The trail down the cliffside to the beach is steep, and a bit of a scramble at times, but the magnificent views of the awesome rock formations are well worth it. Get the timing right and this is one of the best places in LA to watch the sunset.
Cooper Canyon Falls
A proper wilderness just outside the city, the Burkhart Trail to Cooper Canyon Falls takes you on a winding trip through shaded redwood forests to the fantastic Cooper Canyon cascade. Surrounded by Douglas firs and Jeffrey pines youβll feel a world away from the big city. Just remember to wrap up warm, as temperatures in the forest can get surprisingly chilly!
Paseo Miramar
One of LAβs more picturesque backpacking spots also happens to be one of its best kept secrets. Paseo Miramar is a real localβs favorite, with a great five-an-a-half mile loop of fire roads and delightful ocean views topped off with a seriously crunchy climb up to the top. The burn is worth it though, with anyone achieving the peak rewarded with Pasa Mesa Overlook, one of the most spectacular seaside panoramas Los Angeles has to offer.
San Bernardino National Forest
Just past San Bernardino itself, the San Bernardino forest is a fantastic mountainside reserve filled with gorgeous scenery and top-notch multi-use trails. Thereβs plenty of natural beauty on show here, with Big Bear Lake, Sugarloaf Mountain, and San Gorgonio Mountain, and some very comfortable cabins scattered here and there for overnight backpackers. The San Bernardino Trail takes you all the way up to the San Bernardino Peak, with a stop-off at the Limber Pine Flat to take in the stunning sunset.
Castle Peak
For a more rugged, adrenaline-packed backpacking option, head up past Calabasas to Castle Peak. Once sacred land for Chumash Native Americans, it is a pretty serious climb that provides beautiful vistas of the San Fernando Valley. There are several sections where bouldering over crags and crevices is necessary, so it is definitely one for experienced climbers, but it is a fantastic experience if you fancy a challenge.
Mount Baldy
No backpacking guide to Los Angeles would be complete without a mention for Mount Baldy, the highest peak in LA County. This fantastic 6 mile trek through the San Gabriel Mountains takes you up the brilliantly-named Devilβs Backbone before arriving at the tree-less peak which gives the mountain its name. With steep drops either side, 2,300 feet of elevation over the trail, and a final peak at 10,068 feet it’s a pretty serious endeavor, but luckily thereβs a chairlift at the top to give you a rest on the way down!
