Glendale Peak + Mount Hollywood Loop

This loop path will take hikers to two panoramic peaks within Griffith Park, the western Glendale Peak and the central summit offering postcard views of the Los Angeles area, Mount Hollywood.

The path follows several of the park's marked trails, climbing higher as it circles in a counterclockwise direction as the hills bring wider and wider views across the Los Angeles basin. From the large parking lot adjacent to the Greek Theatre, the trail begins on the Riverside Trail, looking down upon the Vermont Canyon Tennis Courts. While the towers of downtown Los Angeles rise to the south, the Griffith Park Observatory becomes clearer atop the bluff toward the west. 

As the trail hits a road and switches back, take a look or a short walk to the right on the road to come to Vista View Point, a popular city skyline overlook that appears in countless films and television shows. A sign marks a short departure from the trail to reach Glendale Peak, standing at a height of 1175'.

Those looking for a shorter trail can head to Glendale Peak, and turn around and retrace their path to the parking area, resulting in a 3.2 mile roundtrip hike with 320' of elevation gain. However those looking to gain some more elevation up a slightly more narrow and steep path can continue uphill from here following the Hogback Trail. Soon Hogback Peak gives a view over the park, while Dante's View has a few shady benches and a drinking fountain.

One final push leads to the top of Mount Hollywood (1597'). While not the highest point in the park, its position offers 360 degree views, with the San Gabriel Mountains appearing across the northeastern skyline, the Hollywood sign clear on nearby Mount Lee to the west, and Los Angeles stretching out to the ocean to the south. Quite a few trails converge in this area, and it's possible to head to nearly any point in the park from the mountaintop. A dusty single track leads downhill to the Bird Sanctuary and back to the trailhead, completing a four mile loop.

While the trailhead does not have any amenities, water and bathrooms are available at different parking areas within the park.

Griffith Park is open daily from 5am -10:30pm. For more information about Griffith Park, see its website.

Note parking may be hard to find during Greek Theatre events.