Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
500.00 ft (152.40 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
3.00 mi (4.83 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Charlie Turner Trail (also sometimes referred to as Mount Hollywood Trail) is named after a man who volunteered in Griffith Park during the 1970s.  He was very dedicated, and people referred to him as “the Mayor of Griffith Park.” The path begins at Griffith Observatory and leads up to Dante’s View at the summit of Mount Hollywood. The reward for gaining 500 feet of elevation is a phenomenal view of Glendale and the San Gabriel Mountains, and hikers can take a break at the cluster of picnic tables. This is a perfect place to snap some photos and break for lunch before heading back down.

On the way up Mount Hollywood you will pass Captain’s Roost, a rest stop with a fabulous view of the famed Hollywood Sign.  The sign, which originally said “Hollywoodland,” first graced Mount Lee in 1923 as part of a campaign for the Hollywoodland Real Estate Development. Today it is an iconic symbol of the movie industry, and tourists are able to get a good look at it from the Charlie Turner Trail.

Tourists are not the only people who frequent this trail; you are likely to run into all kinds of hikers, joggers, families, and locals chatting on their phones. This is likely due to the fact that Charlie Turner Trail overlooks downtown Los Angeles, Griffith Observatory, the San Fernando Valley, and many other natural and urban landmarks. The views keep this hike a worthwhile one in spite of the occasional congestion, however, especially if you hit the trail early in the day.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Most iconic peak in Griffith Park. Panoramic views.

Cons

Very crowded. Limited parking.

Trailhead Elevation

1,130.00 ft (344.42 m)

Features

Big vistas

Suitable for

Horseback

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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