Happy Trails

Take a hike to get a different (and sweatier) perspective of Los Angeles.

BY ANNA HIRSH

LA may draw tourists with its theme parks, shopping, Hollywood Walk of Fame and the chance to rub elbows with the pretty people from the pages of Us Weekly, but—with the exception of the beaches—the City of Angels isn’t known for its nature.

Don’t be fooled. Angelenos don’t get their famous figures just from hitting the gym; they also head outdoors to enjoy the good weather, varied terrain and fantastic views. Here, we reveal a few of the city’s hidden hikes.

ECHO MOUNTAIN
If you are looking for a little area history, your first stop should be Echo Mountain, at the top of Lake Avenue in Altadena, just north of Pasadena in the foothills of the Angeles National Forest. The 5-mile round-trip San Merrill Trail isn’t that long, but it offers a strenuous uphill hike through rugged chaparral that will get your blood pumping. Your hard work will be rewarded with epic views of the San Gabriel Valley as well as the ruins of the White City Resort.

Born of a collaboration between Civil War balloonist and inventor Professor Thaddeus S. C. Lowe and engineer David
J. Macpherson, the resort and its linked mountain railway were once two of Southern California’s most popular attractions, drawing more than 3 million visitors from 1896 to 1936. Once home to two elegant hotels, an observatory, small zoo, machine shop, reservoir and the world’s most powerful searchlight, White City Resort was eventually destroyed in a series of fires and windstorms. But the Echo Mountain hike allows you to explore what’s left of this official historic landmark, providing informative plaques along the way.

RUNYON CANYON
Situated in the heart of Hollywood, Runyon Canyon is probably the city’s most popular hiking hotspot. It is here that the beautiful people get in shape as they rock out to their music or chat on their cell phones. Take in the stunning views of the buzzing city, from downtown to the Pacific Ocean (on a clear day). There’s also a chance you’ll get a view of a dressed-down Drew Barrymore, Charlize Theron, Jared Leto or some other celebrity enjoying nature’s free cardio machine.

There are two southern entrances to the park, located at the northernmost ends of Fuller Avenue and Vista Street; the northern entrance is on the 7300 block of Mulholland Drive. There are a few ways to make it up the hill, but the most popular route is a 3.5-mile round-trip jaunt up the paved path in the center. Those looking for a tougher workout can scramble up the steep dirt path to the left .

Either way, be sure to take a break near the top at Cloud’s Rest, a bench that offers a view of the Hollywood sign.

HOLLYRIDGE TRAIL
If you’re really interested in checking out the 45-foot white letters that make up the Hollywood sign, the Hollyridge Trail in Griffith Park (the largest municipal park and urban wilderness area in the US) is as close as you can get.

The entrance to the trail is tucked away deep into the park at the northernmost end of Beachwood Drive, 2 miles north of Franklin Avenue. This trail provides a relatively easy 3-mile hike, surrounded by oak trees and wild sage, alongside horses. In fact, the trail begins just below Sunset Ranch (www.sunsetranchhollywood.com), a stable established in 1929 that offers day and evening rides. After checking out the animals, start up the trail and you’ll be able to see the newly refurbished Griffith Observatory (www.griffithobs.org), easily recognizable to fans of the James Dean movie Rebel Without a Cause. Take plenty of pictures, but be sure to save some film for close-ups of the sign, which is further up the trail where it splits to the left.

TEMESCAL CANYON
Once you’re ready to leave the city views behind, head west to Temescal Canyon, located at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Temescal Canyon Road in Pacific Palisades. This moderately difficult 4-mile loop has all the trappings of a fantastic hike.

To start with, there are restrooms, water fountains and a convenience store (on weekends) in the parking lot. The hike itself offers a very challenging uphill climb (almost 1,000 feet in the first mile), which leads to outstanding panoramic views of the ocean and valleys. As you descend, desert terrain transitions into a densely wooded canyon that features a seasonal waterfall. Keep an eye out for snakes, coyotes, deer and other critters.

This handful of hikes just scratches the surface. The LA area has dozens of possibilities, and each canyon and park provides endless options and combinations, allowing for a simple stroll or a serious workout. Whether it’s spectacular views of the valleys or the Pacific, historic or pop culture landmarks, each trail offers new insight into a city that is unlike any other.

AirTran Airways provides daily flights to Los Angeles. Visit www.airtran.com for more info.

REFUELING STATIONS

There’s nothing like a hike to work up a hearty appetite, whether it’s for grub, caffeine or an ice-cold beer. Check out these sit-down spots after conquering the wilds of LA.

Father’s Office
(Post Temescal Canyon)
Get your hike in after lunch so you can make it here when the door opens in the late afternoon, because this hip hotspot fills up fast. Refuel on carbs with one of the 20 beers on tap and beef up your protein with one of its famous burgers. www.fathersoffice.com; 310-393-2337

Yamashiro
(Post Runyon Canyon)
This 88-year-old replica of a Japanese mountain palace comes complete with a real, imported 600-year-old pagoda. Indulge in specialty sushi rolls such as the Darth Vader and Hawaii Five-O, or sip on a signature cocktail like the Yama-Jito. www.yamashirorestaurant.com; 323-466-5125

The Bourgeois Pig
(Post Hollyridge)
Grab a post-sweat-fest energy boost in this dark caffeine cave across from the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre. Play a game of pool, and commune with the numerous screenwriters and others who partied last night and still haven’t gone to bed. 323-464-6008

Pinkberry
(Post Echo Mountain)
Lines are always out the door at this shockingly simple frozen yogurt shop in Pasadena. Your options are regular or green tea flavors topped with fresh fruit, cereal, nuts and more—both are equally addictive. www.pinkberry.com; 626-744-0505