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Beginner Hiking Los Angeles

Discover hiking communities for beginners in LA

HIKE BEHIND THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN 😭🥾 | I’M DOWN. SOCIAL GIRL CLUB

HIKE BEHIND THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN 😭🥾 | I’M DOWN. SOCIAL GIRL CLUB

Sat, Sep 19, 5:00 PM
From I’M DOWN. | LA Girls Social Club

okayyy y’all said you were down so WE’RE FUCKING GOING 😭🥾💛 we’re hiking behind the Hollywood Sign with a bunch of people who may or may not know absolutely nobody when they arrive. THE PLAN: 📍 WHERE TF ARE WE MEETING? Exact meetup location is sent to confirmed attendees after RSVP approval. We don’t post meetup details publicly because… internet 😭💛 📏 approx. 4.5 miles ⛰️ approx. 790 ft elevation gain ⏱️ around 2–3 hours 😮‍💨 moderate COMING ALONE??? GOOD. seriously. that’s the whole point. you do NOT need to bring a friend or already know someone. if you’re nervous about walking up alone, message us and we’ll make sure someone meets you at the meetup point. 💛 BRING: plenty of water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, sunglasses/hat, a snack if you need one + a charged phone. there isn’t much shade, so come prepared. we start together + nobody gets left behind. be nice. respect boundaries. see somebody standing alone? GO SAY HI. no cliquey weird shit. RSVP REQUIRED. Please RSVP individually so we know exactly who’s joining us. Exact meetup instructions will be shared with confirmed attendees. find us on IG @imdown.la come alone. find your people. ily. see you outside 💛

1 attendee
Griffith Park Semi Beginner Hike @ Merry Go Round Lot

Griffith Park Semi Beginner Hike @ Merry Go Round Lot

Wed, Sep 2, 1:30 AM
From Los Angeles Hiking Group
4.8

A New Year with new resolutions (or re-instated old ones) Come out for our traditional semi beginner hike. It's a semi hilly 4.30-mile hike. This hike is @ 120 minutes. Most of the elevation gain is going up @ 200 steps in the middle of the hike. Total elevation gain for this hike is approximately 930 ft **NO ANIMALS ALLOWED ON HIKE** We do start ON TIME, no matter how much traffic is on the freeways, inside the park, including if our parking lots are being used by movie crews. Allow yourself enough time for any unexpected surprises. Where to meet: If you know the park well, it is Merry Go Round Lot #2, adjacent to the first entrance into lot #2. IF YOU ARE BY THE STAIRCASE YOU ARE IN WRONG SPOT. WE DO NOT MEET BY THE STAIRCASE. We meet directly opposite of the staircase on the other side of the lot Put these coordinates in google maps for the exact spot that we meet: 34.133525,-118.284731 Legend for hikes: These hikes run year 'round every Tuesday. In the leader's (subjective) mind, the hikes are generally easiest the first Tuesday of the month and most challenging the last Tuesday of the month, with everything progressive in between. Beginners are encouraged to come to the first Tuesday of the month. Beginners will receive doses of encouragement the second Tuesday of the month to keep up if unable. The 3-4-5 Tuesday's of the month it is expected anyone that can't keep up with the leader will turn back The fine print: Wildlife (snakes, bobcats, mountain lions etc) seen in the park, be aware of your surroundings and stay alert at all times. Bring Along: Hiking boots and at least 1 Liter Water. Layered clothing in case it's cold. Long pants in case it's hot, to prevent being bitten by insects. Mosquito and tic spray (available at Sports Chalet) are recommended. No bright (white) flashlights. Red, Blue flashlights are ok. If you get to the lot after we meet, Sierra Club hikes start at 7:00PM on the opposite end of the lot. From 134 Freeway: (Note, if you are not familiar with Griffith Park Drive, this is a dark single lane route. You are better off taking I5 directions) Exit Forest Lawn. (If coming from Westbound go straight, from Eastbound, Go Right). Make a left on Zoo Drive. Make a right hand turn on Griffith Park Drive. Road weaves through Griffith Park. Continue on road until you hit Crystal Springs Road. Make a right hand turn on Crystal Springs. There's no street sign at the next stop sign, but there should be a sign in the median stating the Merry Go Round is to the right. Make a right hand turn. Continue up the road. The road forces you to make a sharp right hand turn into a parking lot. Go through the parking lot. You'll hit a small dark road (it's lit if it's daylight savings time) for a short period of time, followed by a brightly lit lot. Park in the back of the lot (the part you entered in). Meet at the back of the lot, where the driveway to the lower part of the lot is. It's close to the "No Practice Driving Allowed" sign is. From Interstate 5 (either direction) Go West on Los Feliz. Make a right on Riverside drive into Griffith Park. Go two stop signs and make a left turn. Continue up the road. The road forces you to make a sharp right hand turn into a parking lot. Go through the parking lot. You'll hit a small dark road (it's lit if it's daylight savings time) for a short period of time, followed by a brightly lit lot. Park in the back of the lot (the part you entered in). Meet at the back of the lot, where the driveway to the lower part of the lot is. It's close to the "No Practice Driving Allowed" sign is. Where to meet: See above. If you know the park well, it is Merry Go Round Lot #2, next to the first entrance into lot #2. WE DO NOT MEET BY THE STAIRCASE. We meet directly opposite of the staircase on the other side of the lot http://angeles.sierraclub.org/griffith/griffith_park_map.html http://files.meetup.com/262967/PL#2.jpg Put these coordinates in google maps for exact directions from your location: 34.133525,-118.284731

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7 attendees
Sunday Night Hike at Griffith Park

Sunday Night Hike at Griffith Park

Mon, Aug 31, 12:00 AM
From Los Angeles Hiking Group
4.8

**☀️ Summer Edition: Mostly shaded during the first hour. Please bring 2 liters of water and be prepared for warm conditions.** **⚠️ PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE HIKE DESCRIPTION BEFORE SIGNING UP ⚠️** **🥾Intermediate++/ Advanced Conditioning Hike** **This is a strenuous hike for strong, experienced hikers. It is not a beginner hike, a casual social walk, or a good choice for anyone currently rebuilding fitness. Participants should be comfortable with steep climbs, sustained uphill efforts, and maintaining a brisk pace on rugged terrain. If you have a serious fear of heights or are uncomfortable with steep, exposed terrain, this may not be the hike for you. Some sections include narrow trails, steep drop-offs, scrambling, and uneven footing.** **🥾 Adventure • Exploration • Challenge** **Expect steep climbs, rugged terrain, hidden trails, occasional bushwhacking, and some rock scrambling (using your hands occasionally on rocky or steep terrain). This is not a typical park hike.** **🥾 Hike Details** **• 4–6 miles** **• 1,200–2,000 feet of elevation gain** **• 2.5–3 hours** **• Steep grades up to 40%** **• Fire roads, single-track trails, and some rock scrambling** **💧 What to Bring** **• At least 2 liters of water** **• Grippy hiking shoes** **• Long sleeves and long pants recommended** **• Hiking poles optional** **• Snacks** **🍜 🌮🍔A few of us may grab dinner after the hike at a nearby restaurant. Anyone interested is welcome to join us.** **If you're unsure whether this hike is a good fit, please contact me before signing up.** **Arrival & RSVP** **Please arrive 10–15 minutes early. We leave exactly on time.** **If you cannot attend, please update your RSVP.** **Directions** **Take the Los Feliz / Crystal Springs entrance off the I-5 freeway.** **Go north on Crystal Springs Drive into the park. At the second stop sign, turn left at the four-way intersection (ranger station on your right). Continue briefly, then turn right into Merry-Go-Round Lot #1. Drive through Lot #1 and continue to Lot #2.** **We meet at the north end of Parking Lot #2 by the steps.** **Liability Notice** **Assistant Organizers, Event Hosts, and support hikers are volunteers and organize hikes without compensation and assume no responsibility for participants or guests. By signing up, you acknowledge the risks associated with outdoor activities and agree to release and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and Event Hosts of the Los Angeles Hiking & Fitness Meetup Group from any liability arising from participation.** **Please see Meetup’s Terms of Service: https://www.meetup.com/terms/job**

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7 attendees
Sierra Club Griffith Park Moonlight Hike

Sierra Club Griffith Park Moonlight Hike

Sun, Aug 30, 2:00 AM
From Sierra Club Griffith Park Section: Evening Hikes and More!
4.9

**Moderate hike to a vista in the park (\~4 to 5 miles RT, \~1100 ft elevation gain); bring a food item to share or for yourself.** Leashed well-mannered dogs welcome. **Gather at 6:45pm and sign waiver sheets; hike begins at 7pm and lasts around 2 1/2 hours.**(Waiver form is separate from those used for the regular evening hikes.) No beginners or tigers, please. (Tigers are super-fast hikers who wouldn't be satisfied with a moderate pace.) For those familiar with our Tuesday/Thursday evening hikes, the socially-paced hike will be similar to a level 2 or 3. There are usually between 10 and 25 hikers on the Moonlit hikes; not everyone RSVPs on Meetup. **What to bring:** Water, a light jacket in case it gets cold, and a food item to share or for yourself. Hiking boots/shoes are recommended. Flashlights are optional; many leaders discourage their use except in emergencies. (If used, colored lenses such as red help preserve others' night vision). Leashed, well-behaved dogs welcome. This is a front country outing. **Rain in the park at the time of the hike cancels.** Check the weather: [https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/griffith-park/90027/hourly-weather-forecast/2626762](https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/griffith-park/90027/hourly-weather-forecast/2626762) **Directions to Merry-Go-Round Lot #2:** From Los Feliz Blvd just west of the 5, take Crystal Springs north into the park; you’ll soon pass a freeway onramp. After around a mile, you’ll come to a 4-way intersection, with the Ranger station on your right. Make a left (going west). At the top of the road you’re forced to turn right into the (unlit) lot #1. Drive through the lot and along the road that leaves the opposite corner. You’ll soon come to lot #2, which is lit. The Sierra Club meets at the far (north) end of the lot, by the stone steps. Going north on the 5 from Downtown LA, you can also get off at the Griffith Park exit and take Crystal Springs going north, following the directions above. Other routes go from near the Zoo or from Travel Town; you can get directions from this link: [https://goo.gl/q7QTtb](https://goo.gl/q7QTtb) .

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10 attendees

Whiting Woods Loop with Verdugo and Katz Peaks– 7 miles, 2200’ elevation gain

Sat, Aug 29, 1:15 PM
From Early Bird Hiking -- San Gabriel Mountains and beyond!
5.0
6 attendees
FRIDAY--Easy Night walk around Silverlake

FRIDAY--Easy Night walk around Silverlake

Sat, Sep 12, 2:15 AM
From Los Angeles Hiking Group
4.8

Silverlake can be quite beautiful at night. Walk is mostly easy 2.2 miles RT around the lake. Walk is approx. 1 hour. There is short uphill on this walk--approx. 10 minutes Some members go to the local Oyster bar afterwards. **Rain will cancel walk. Dogs ok as long as on leash.** Parking: Street parking. There is more parking when you park along the lake --along W. Silverlake Dr.

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7 attendees
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Frequently asked questions

Meetup is a platform where you can discover and join local groups based on common interests. There are events to attend both online and in person, perfect for meeting new people and expanding your social calendar.

Beginners can explore beginner-friendly hiking groups in Los Angeles using Meetup. Simply search using keywords related to beginner hiking and the Los Angeles area to find groups that match your hiking level.

Yes, you can find weekend hiking events tailored for beginners in Los Angeles on Meetup. Sort events by the date to plan your hiking adventures coming up this weekend.

Most hiking groups on Meetup warmly welcome new members, especially beginners. These groups are designed to connect people with shared interests and often cater to all experience levels.

To RSVP for a hiking event, select the event you're interested in on Meetup and click the RSVP button. Doing so lets the host know to expect you and sometimes provides further event details.

Joining Meetup is generally free for users. However, some specific hiking events might have a nominal fee set by the group's organizer to cover costs like parking or entrance fees.

Not all hiking events include gear rental. It's best to check the event details on Meetup as some hosts may offer gear advice but most expect participants to have their own equipment.

Yes, you can join as many hiking groups on Meetup as you like. It keeps your options open for exploring different trails and meeting a variety of hiking enthusiasts.

Many beginner hikes are family-friendly. Group descriptions on Meetup will usually specify if children are welcome to join, making it easier for you to plan family outings.

Hiking groups often specify the difficulty level on Meetup. Beginner groups will choose trails that are easier and more suitable for those just starting to hike.

Attending hiking events through Meetup is a great way to connect with new people who share your interest in exploring the great outdoors. Interaction during activities is a natural part of the experience.

Meetup provides opportunities for connection, but friendships naturally depend on personal interactions and sustained participation in group activities.

Meetup aims to provide safe experiences, but individual group organizers manage events, and it's essential to assess conditions and personal safety choices beforehand.

Check the current schedule on Meetup to see if any beginner hiking events are happening tomorrow in Los Angeles. It's updated regularly with availability information.

Events on Meetup are created by independent organizers, not directly by Meetup. They coordinate specifics about the hike, including location and time.