Beginner Hiking Los Angeles

Ferndell Nature Trail Adventure 🌿🥾

🌿 **Sole Sisters Hiking Group: Our First Outdoor Adventure!** 🥾☀️ 🥾 **DIFFICULTY: EASY / BEGINNER-FRIENDLY** Let's get outdoors, enjoy some fresh air, and connect beyond our usual gatherings! For our first outdoor adventure, we'll explore the beautiful **Ferndell Nature Trail in Griffith Park**, a hidden little oasis in the heart of Los Angeles. This peaceful, shaded nature walk winds through lush greenery, towering ferns, charming bridges, and a gentle stream with little waterfalls. It's the perfect setting for a leisurely morning stroll and some good conversation! **🌿 Nature Walk Details** 📍 **Location:** Ferndell Nature Trail, Griffith Park 📌 **GPS Address:** The Trails Cafe 2333 Fern Dell Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068 🕙 **Meeting Time:** 10:00 AM 🥾 **Difficulty:** Easy / Beginner-friendly 🌳 **Distance:** Approximately 0.5 mile round trip ⏳ **Walking Time:** 45–60 minutes at a relaxed pace 🚗 **Parking:** Free street parking along Fern Dell Drive **Where to Meet:** Let's meet by the **The Trails Cafe sign** at 2333 Fern Dell Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068, near the upper end of Ferndell Nature Trail. Free street parking is available along Fern Dell Drive, although spots can fill up on weekends. Please arrive 10–15 minutes early to allow time for parking and finding the group so we can begin our walk together at **10:00 AM!** 🌿🥾 **A Little Extra Adventure?** Since this is a relatively short nature walk, anyone who wants to get a few more steps in is welcome to walk the trail a second time! That would bring our total distance to approximately one mile. Completely optional, of course! **What to Bring:** Comfortable walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and your adventurous spirit! The trail is mostly shaded, with gentle inclines and packed-dirt pathways. ☕ **After Our Walk:** For anyone who wants to linger a little longer, we can stop by the nearby Trails Cafe for coffee, a snack, and more conversation! 🚙 **Carpooling Encouraged!** Parking is free but can be limited, especially on weekends, so carpooling is a great option. If you'd like to carpool, please RSVP to the event and let me know you're interested. I'll share our carpool meeting address with those who RSVP so we can coordinate rides. Whether you're an avid hiker or simply enjoy a peaceful stroll in nature, everyone is welcome! Looking forward to kicking off our first Sole Sisters adventure together. Here's to fresh air, friendship, laughter, and meaningful connections! 💚

Perfect Weather Hike in Griffith Park! ☀️🙋🏻‍♀️ 🙋 🙋🏽‍♂️

Come join the Perfect Weather Hike in Griffith Park every Saturday (location or route varies). Join us on this friendly social hike, with optional plank challenge at the vista viewpoint / helipad. Followed by optional breakfast/lunch at the Village Bakery and Cafe. Moderate hike on the main fire roads with Tiffany or option for advanced inclines with Gary. Trail Is a roughly a 4.5 mile 10,000 step loop on mostly fire roads. Distance varies depending on trail variations. We’ll have views across the city to the Pacific Ocean, Griffith Observatory, downtown LA. As well as North East over Brubank and Glandale Core Loop: Cadman trail to 5-Points (Approx 1 mile, 25 minutes, 475ft elevation gain), Beacon Hill option, Helipad/ Vista Viewpoint (Approx .5 mile 150ft elevation gain), Glendale Peak option, Cedar Grove scenic loop, down Commonwealth and through neighborhood back to the cars. Via Cromwell (mild incline) or option Via Parva past Disney House (steep). Steady incline approx 700ft elevation gain in the first hour - challenging for beginners but worth it! We’ll gather at each split in the trail to make sure all are accounted for. Dog friendly 🐕. Just remember there are coyotes and rattlesnakes (summer) in the park. Meet afterwards at Village Bakery and Cafe 3119 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039 Like all meetups, hike at your own risk. You are responsible for your own well-being. Please bring water, wear sunscreen and proper hiking shoes. Facebook group https://m.facebook.com/groups/1608982546701615/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Meeting point is in a residential neighborhood with street parking. There is NO restroom on this hike. The nearest is at the Griffith park Southern Railway by the Griffith Park Cafe on Crystal Springs Drive. If you arrive early, It’s a 15 minute roundtrip walk to the restroom. Hike will be cancelled in the event of rain and soggy trails or severe heat advisories.

Mount Baldy via Devil’s Backbone + Food & Drinks

⚠️ Most attendees and all event communication will be through our YoPro Hikes community on Heylo. 👉 Please join our Heylo group here for full details, updates, meeting location, and group communication: https://heylo.com/invite/CNRhLnMO

🥾 SUNDAY FITNESS HIKE | BEAUDRY SOUTH – INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED 💪🌄

### **Ready to push yourself a little harder?** This Sunday, we're stepping up the challenge! We'll tackle the **steeper, more scenic Beaudry South Motorway**, climbing approximately 1,500 feet before returning via the more gradual Beaudry North Motorway. Expect a heart-pumping uphill workout, spectacular views, and a rewarding sense of accomplishment! ### 🥾 HIKE DETAILS * **Distance:** Approximately 5.5 miles * **Elevation Gain:** Approximately 1,500 feet * **Difficulty:** INTERMEDIATE–ADVANCED * **Route:** Beaudry South (uphill) → Beaudry North (downhill) * **Summit Goal:** 1.5 hours * **Summit Break:** 5 - 7 minutes maximum * **Terrain:** Wide fire roads with steep, exposed sections ### 💪 NOT FOR BEGINNERS! **This is a FITNESS HIKE, not a leisurely nature walk!** Beaudry South is considerably steeper than the North route, with several challenging uphill sections that will test your legs, stamina, and cardiovascular endurance. **Please sign up ONLY if you:** * Are physically fit and hike regularly * Have experience with steep uphill climbs and endurance training * Have good cardiovascular fitness and can maintain a steady uphill pace * Are comfortable hiking with minimal breaks We'll maintain a **steady, purposeful pace**, aiming to reach the summit in approximately **90 minutes**. After a brief break of no more than 7 minutes to catch our breath and enjoy the views, we'll descend via Beaudry North Motorway. ### ⏰ 7:00 AM SHARP — NO EXCEPTIONS! Please arrive early to allow time for parking and stretching. **We start at 7:00 AM SHARP! If you're running late, you WILL miss us!** ### 📍 MEETING LOCATION **Across from 3110 Beaudry Terrace, Glendale, CA 91208** Meet at the trailhead near the drainage basin. Street parking is available in the surrounding residential neighborhood. Please do not block driveways. **🐕 DOGS NOT ALLOWED ON THIS HIKE.** ### 🌄 EARN THE CLIMB. ENJOY THE VIEWS! If you're looking for a challenging Sunday workout with great company and incredible scenery, this hike is for you! **🥾 Bring plenty of water, wear hiking shoes with good traction, and come prepared to climb!** **RSVP TODAY—LET'S FINISH THE WEEKEND STRONG!**

FRIDAY--Easy Night walk around Silverlake

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.

Sierra Club Griffith Park Moonlight Hike

**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) .

Trail Work on Echo Mountain

Saturday in the Santa Monica Mountains 2026 #6 - Verdugo Peak

Hike #6 in the 2026 Saturday in the Santa Monica Mountains series, is a strenuous 11 mile, 2800 gain hike in the Verdugo Mountains. The trail starts with a challenging steep ascent to Mount Thom and then mellows out along the ridge with panoramic views of the city. We'll take Verdugo Motorway past Tongva Peak to brunch at Verdugo Peak with a relaxed descent down Brand Motorway. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and a good attitude. Hiking poles and footwear with good traction are recommended as some portions of the trail are covered in scree. Rain, excessive heat, and Red Flag alert cancels. This is a Front Country hike. A medical form is recommended, but not required. If you have one, please carry it with you. Copies of the form will be available to fill out at the trailhead as well. Outing to be conducted to Sierra Club hike safety guidelines, group to hike together with participants following the leader and in front of the sweep.

Sunday Night Hike At Griffith Park

**TIME CHANGE — HIKE STARTS AT 2:30 PM** **Intermediate++ / Advanced Conditioning hike** **Join us for a challenging but fun Sunday evening hike in Griffith Park. Expect steep climbs, rugged trails, great views, and sometimes exploratory sections or light rock scrambling.** **This hike is best for** **experienced hikers who are comfortable with sustained uphill climbs, steep grades, uneven terrain, and a brisk pace. Typical hikes are about** **4–6 miles with 1,200–2,000 feet of elevation gain** **and usually take around 3** **hours.** **Please come prepared with:** * **At least** **2 liters of water** * **Hiking shoes with good traction** * **Sun protection** * **Long pants or sleeves when appropriate** * **Trekking poles if you use them** **We will keep a steady pace and stay together as a group. Please make sure the distance, elevation gain, terrain, and pace are a good match for your current fitness level before signing up.** **These hikes are meant to be a strong workout, but also a chance to explore, enjoy the views, and have fun with a great group of hikers. 🥾🌄** **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**

Take the train to LA: Urban Hike in Pasadena

Part of Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena will be closed to traffic on Sunday, November 15, 2026 from 9AM to 3PM, so people can ride bikes on the streets. With no cars, it's the perfect time to walk Colorado Boulevard (no more than 5 miles roundtrip) and do some extra sightseeing. (lunch break TBD) https://ciclavia.org/events/pasadena-2026-11/ To get there, we can take the Metrolink train 661 from OC to LA Union Station: 1661 leaves Irvine 9:21AM: https://metrolinktrains.com/schedules/?type=station&originId=140&destinationId=107&weekend=4 Or get on the 1661 at Tustin at 9:28AM, or Santa Ana at 9:35AM, or in Anaheim at 9:45AM, or at Fullerton at 9:53AM, or at Buena Park at 9:58AM. There are lots more places to catch this train. The train only costs $12 on the weekend: https://metrolinktrains.com/ticketsOverview/discounts/metrolink-$12-weekends/ Visit a Metrolink station with weekend service. Use the ticket machines and select "SoCal Day Pass" on the home screen\*. You also may buy tickets with our mobile app on the day of travel. Don't worry about meeting up on the train, although I'm sure you'll recognize people in any car you get into. We'll arrive at Union Station at 10:34, then we'll all meet up at Starbucks (next to Wetzel's Pretzels) - and this is a good bathroom break spot). Here's a map of Union Station: https://www.unionstationla.com/visit/ After a restroom break and giving time for people to gather together, we'll transfer to the Blue (or A) line, for a 24 minute ride to Memorial Park in Pasadena. https://cdn.beta.metro.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/11104336/801_TT_06-07-26-1.pdf

Sierra Club Griffith Park Tuesday Evening Hikes

**If you don't have a current waiver card, please come early (\~6:40pm on) to sign the required waiver form ("participation agreement") and get your *PINK waiver card*, good until the end of 2026.** Come and enjoy a great evening of hiking and conversation with fellow hikers. These conditioning hikes range in level from fairly easy (level 1) through moderate (levels 2 and 3) to advanced hikes (levels 4, 5, and 6). All levels have hills; terrain is sometimes steep with uneven footing. Because hikers are expected to maintain the pace set by hike leaders, newcomers should not hike above level 3 and may wish to start at level 2. >>>**On Tuesday & Thursday evenings, we offer \*simultaneous\* hikes at a variety of levels.** **While some levels may not be offered on a given evening, we try to cover a range of levels.**<<< Hikes are led by trained leaders and last approximately 2 hrs. Hikes begin at 7pm; newcomers should get there early to fill out a waiver and should carry the waiver card with them on the hikes. There are usually 30-60 people at the hikes. **What to bring:** Bring water and a light jacket in case it gets cold. Hiking boots/shoes or other shoes with good traction are necessary for the harder hikes (levels 3-5) and are strongly encouraged for all hikes; tennis shoes with good tread may be sufficient for the more moderate hikes (levels 1 & 2). Flashlights are optional; many leaders discourage their use except in emergencies. If flashlights are used, red lights are preferable as they interfere less with night vision. Please, no radios or other sound-producing devices that others can hear. If earbuds are used, please leave one out to maintain awareness of surroundings. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are at the discretion of the leader. This is a front country outing. **Contagious disease considerations:** Note that both vaccinated and unvaccinated people may be present; everyone is encouraged to keep their distance and respect each others' need to do so. Please do not attend if you are ill or have reason to think you might have a contagious disease. **If you test positive for a contagious disease within 3 days of a hike, please let us know through Meetup or by emailing GPNighthikes at gmail dot com.** 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 (also known as the Upper Merry-Go-Round parking lot): 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).

Explore Griffith Park

Please read this entire write up. This is a moderately strenuous hike. The hikes are about 2 hours long and about 4 miles, and those miles include steep ascents and descents, most often on single track trails. Some trails can be uneven and slippery. We move at a fairly rapid pace. but pause occasionally to enjoy the scenery, smell the flowers, and take pictures of the amazing views. No two hikes are the same, and we go all over the park. Please don't be late, as we aim to leave on time, 4:00 p.m. Good idea to arrive around 4:15 so that we can start at 4:00 p.m. Don't forget to bring water and wear good hiking shoes with lug soles. A note re time -- hike start times change occasionally, depending on the weather and the time of year. Please check the start time when you sign up, but an e-mail will be sent out whenever the time is changed. . Please be aware that Assistant Organizers, Event Hosts, and support hikers are volunteers organize hikes without compensation and assume absolutely no responsibility for you or your guests. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and made your guests aware of the risks, dangers, and hazards associated with any outdoor activity, and you accept, and fully assume all such risks, dangers, and hazards, and further agree to release, and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and Event Hosts from, and against any, and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. Please see the Meetup terms of service agreement http://www.meetup.com/terms/