5 Challenging Hikes in the Greater LA Area
If you live in LA and are interested in going on some challenging hiking adventures outside of the city, then I’ve got you covered. Several years ago, I decided it was time to hike Mt Whitney – the highest peak in the continental United States. Sitting at 14,405 feet, Mt. Whitney is one of the most beautiful places in the Eastern Sierra mountain range and a bucket list adventure for many people. With its 22-mile distance and 6,200 feet of elevation change, it is considered a very strenuous and challenging trek, taking between 12-14 hours to complete. I wanted to be as physically and mentally prepared as possible, so I decided to train by hiking steep trails and spending time at higher altitudes to build up my endurance and get my body acclimated to the elevation. Although LA has a great offering of local hikes, none of them were challenging enough to truly whip me into shape for Whitney. So I started to look outside of the immediate LA area for longer, harder hikes. Although it was a commitment, I loved driving to different areas and exploring new peaks and trails on weekends. It became a physical and mental adventure for me.
Some of you are likely much more experienced hikers than I am, but for those of you who find it helpful, here are some of my top hiking tips. These tips may be basic, but they will ensure a safer and more pleasant overall experience – trust me.
If hiking in the summer, start as early in the morning as possible since most trails in California are partially or fully exposed to the sun. If you are hiking in any other season, starting early will help you avoid crowds, especially on weekends. Hiking in the midday sun surrounded by hoards of people is my personal nightmare, so I always avoid it when possible.
Bring plenty of water and snacks when doing longer hikes. It’s important to keep your body hydrated and nourished.
Bring bug spray, sunblock, and a hat if you are hiking in the summer time.
When hiking alone in CA, I suggest bringing a whistle in case you encounter a mountain lion (they respond to noise) or find yourself in a situation where you need help. It’s always better to err on the side of caution.
Be aware of your surroundings and try not to hike with your headphones blaring music – I usually have one headphone in or listen to my music / podcast quietly, so that I can keep my ears open for animals and rattlesnakes.
Download a trail map ahead of time using AllTrails or whatever works best for you.
Whether you’re training for something specific, or just want to try something new, below are my 5 favorite challenging hikes in the greater LA area! If you have other hikes you want to suggest, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below.
Strawberry Peak Trail via Redbox Canyon
Probably my favorite hike on the list, Strawberry Peak is the highest point in the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains, about 30 miles from LA and 10 miles north of Pasadena. The first 2.5 miles are an easy, steady incline, but the last mile is pretty tough, requiring you to scramble over rocks (which is why this hike is my favorite!) while climbing approximately 1,000 feet of elevation. The trail offers beautiful scenery and views of LA, Mt. Wilson, and Mt. Baldy. You need a National Parks Pass or Adventure Pass to park in the parking lot, but you don’t need one if you can snag a spot on the side of the road. This trail is exposed to the sun and gets very crowded since it’s somewhat close to LA. I’d suggest going on a weekday if possible, or starting as early as you’re able. Overall, I’d consider this a moderate hike. You can find directions to the parking lot and download the trail map on AllTrails.
Distance: Approx. 7.0-mile out-and-back trail
Elevation Gain: Approx. 1,700 feet
Time: About 3-4 hours to complete
Difficulty: Moderate
Sitton Peak Truck Trail
I absolutely loved this hike because it’s near Lake Elsinore, an area of California I had never been before. Located in the San Mateo Wilderness about 2 hours outside of LA, the hike to Sitton Peak is challenging but not too harsh. The trail itself has a lot of different terrains and takes you through areas filled with chaparral, oak woodlands, and coastal sage. The last section of the trail is quite steep (I slid down parts of it on my hands and butt on the way back down), but once you get to the top of the peak you are rewarded with expansive views over San Diego and San Mateo counties, including Catalina Island. Give yourself extra time to soak in the view once you reach the summit – I spent an hour enjoying my breakfast and journaling on top of a large boulder. Even though I went on a Saturday, the trail never felt too crowded which I appreciated. There is a mix of sun and shade on this trail, but since the summer months can get brutally hot in this area, I’d suggest going in the cooler season (as always). I would absolutely do this hike again. You can find directions to the parking lot and download the trail map on AllTrails.
Distance: Approx. 9.5-mile out-and-back trail
Elevation Gain: Approx. 2,100 feet
Time: About 4-6 hours to complete
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Inspiration Point via Sam Merrill and Castle Canyon Loop
Under an hour from LA, Inspiration Point is located on the edge of Altadena, California, in the San Gabriel Mountains of the Angeles National Forest. The hike takes you through beautiful vistas, forested mountain canyons, and even past the ruins of an old mountaintop resort. The trail crosses a flood control area and then starts weaving its way up the base of Echo Mountain. Since this part of the trail is relatively easy (it’s about 3 miles from the bottom of the mountain to the resort ruins), it was also the most crowded. As you continue on, the trail thins out and gets a little bit more rugged, and in my opinion more fun. It also gets a little bit more lush as you get higher into the wooded area. Once you get to Inspiration Point, enjoy the sweeping views of the Los Angeles basin and surrounding mountains. You’ll actually feel like you are above the clouds. The way down has some sections that are steep and slippery with lots of loose dirt, so just make sure to take it slow. Although this hike was a great workout, it was probably my least favorite trail on this list simply because it was the most crowded. If I did it again, I would definitely go during the week. You can find directions to the parking lot and download the trail map on AllTrails.
Distance: Approx. 10 mile loop trail
Elevation Gain: Approx. 2,750 feet
Time: About 5-6 hours to complete
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Icehouse Canyon to Cucamonga Peak Trail
I won’t lie, this hike is a doozy and definitely helped kick my butt into shape. Cucamonga Peak is also located in the San Gabriel Mountains and is about a 90 minute drive from LA (depending where you are coming from of course). Considered a challenging hike, you climb over 4,000 feet for a total distance of 11.5 miles, reaching an elevation of about 8,859 feet. The north-facing slope holds snow much later in the season than other peaks, and its not unusual to see some patches of snow even in June. The Icehouse Creek runs along the trail for the first mile, giving your legs a chance to warm up. When you reach a series of steep switchbacks up the mountain, your warmup is officially over. Following the switchbacks, you’ll reach Icehouse Saddle, a great spot to stop, rest, and have a snack before continuing. This is the junction where five separate trails come together, so make sure to follow the signs for Cucamonga Peak trail. From here it’s only 2.4 miles to the summit, but this part of the trail is exposed to the sun and quite steep. At the peak, there are stunning views of the San Bernardino National Forest Valley, Mt. Baldy, Saddleback, San Jacinto Peak, and San Gorgonio. I didn’t spend much time at the peak because it was overcast and cold when I went, but I would recommend packing a lunch and spending time enjoying the summit. The parking lot requires a National Forest Adventure Pass, but I was able to park on the side of the road. I arrived around 7:30AM on a Saturday and the parking lot was already full, so make sure to plan accordingly. You can find directions to the parking lot and download the trail map on AllTrails.
Distance: Approx. 11.5-mile out-and-back trail
Elevation Gain: Approx. 4,100 feet
Time: About 7-8 hours to complete
Difficulty: Hard
San Jacinto Peak Loop Trail
This is hands down the most challenging hike on the list. At 10,834 feet, San Jacinto Peak is located near Palm Springs, CA and is the highest peak in the San Jacinto Mountains. It’s known for its sweeping views of Coachella Valley, Joshua Tree, and the San Bernardino Mountains. This specific hike starts from the town of Idyllwild, and is great for either a very long single day out and back (which is what I did), or a two day overnight camping trip. Even though the hike is considered strenuous, it is also very scenic and in my opinion actually enjoyable since the elevation gain is gradual. You climb about 5,400 feet over 17.5 miles reaching an altitude of 10,835 feet, making this hike a great way to train for both altitude and distance. I’d suggest hiking it in the non-summer months to avoid the heat, especially since this trail takes between 10-12 hours to complete. You can find directions to the parking lot and download the trail map on AllTrails.
The good news is that if this trail seems too long and too intense for you, there are tons of different options to get you to the peak of San Jacinto. For example, you can take the Palm Springs Aerial tramway, which takes you 2.5 miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon to the Mountain Station at 8,615 feet and hike to San Jacinto Peak from there. Depending on the trail you choose, you can stay in either Palm Springs or Idyllwild, making this is a perfect little weekend getaway.
Distance: Approx. 17.5 mile loop trail
Elevation Gain: Approx. 5,300 feet
Time: About 10-12 hours to complete
Difficulty: Hard