Lancaster, California
The best trails and outdoor activities in Lancaster, California, offer a variety of scenic landscapes and challenges for hikers of all skill levels. The Pacific Crest Trail, a must-visit, winds through the Antelope Valley, showcasing stunning desert views and unique rock formations. The trail is moderately difficult, making it suitable for seasoned hikers. Prime Desert Woodland Preserve offers easy trails, perfect for family outings, and a chance to spot local wildlife. For water-based activities, Apollo Community Regional Park features a beautiful lake for fishing and boating. Near Lancaster, the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is a top destination for rock climbing and horseback riding. These outdoor adventures in and around Lancaster offer something for everyone.
Top Spots in and near Lancaster
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Los Angeles, California
Baxter Steps
4.50.16 mi / 108 ft gainThis set of stairs near Dodger Stadium is Los Angeles is a great way to get a workout and stretch your legs. Unfortunately it is not dog-friendly. Keep in mind the best time to go here is during the week, so you can avoid crowds. Be sure to bring extra water with you as it can get very hot!Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Runyon Canyon Loop
3.32.67 mi / 728 ft gainLocated in the Hollywood Hills, Runyon is an iconic workout run/ hike that can give you great views all the way to the ocean. There are a few different loop trails/ hikes you can take ranging from ~1.5mi to 3.25mi all with a decent amount of elevation gain. Also, remember this is Hollywood, so yo...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Secret Swing in Elysian Park
4.20.16 mi / 72 ft gainFor the most direct directions to the swing, plug in "Swing on top of Elysian Park" into google maps, which will take you directly to the trailhead. If you want to do it the more old fashion way, the swing is on top of a hill at the intersection of Angels Point Drive and Park Row Drive in Elysian...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Micheltorena Stairs
3.00.19 mi / 75 ft gainI preferred the steps, before anything was painted on them. Whoever thought it would be a great idea to do that was wrong. No upkeep and these stairs have been heavily vandalized. The steps are a series of stairways you will find throughout Silver Lake and neighboring areas. They facilitated peo...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Piano Mural Staircase aka “Murray Staircase”
5.00.08 mi / 69 ft gainThe “Piano Stairs” is a stair mural in Silver Lake neighborhood section of LA. Not to be confused with the “Music Box” staircase that is close by. These 90 steps were painted to look like the piano keyboard by the artist Carrey. Great for a cardio workout and not as creepy as some of the stairs h...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Elysian Park
4.01.88 mi / 282 ft gainThe trail at Elysian Park in Los Angeles, California, is a moderate difficulty hike that spans approximately 1.88 miles. The trail is well-marked and offers a variety of terrain, including dirt paths and paved roads. The trail is known for its panoramic views of the city, including the iconic Dod...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Descanso Steps
3.50.1 mi / 20 ft gainThe steps are a series of stairways you will find throughout Silver Lake and neighboring areas. They facilitated people from the neighborhood in getting to the “red” streetcars, that used to run throughout the city. Cool relics of a mostly-forgotten past. These particular steps take you down from...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Music Box Steps
5.00.08 mi / 20 ft gainClimb a historical landmark in LA. This is where the famous, Academy Award winning short, Laurel and Hardy made called "The Music Box”. Filmed back in the 1930's the story is about two movers trying to deliver a piano, up these steps. There is a plaque is dedicated at the bottom to this film. It’...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Ascot Hills
3.52.11 mi / 446 ft gainAscot Hills Park is a great hidden gem located a few miles east of Los Angeles. There is a parking lot with plenty of parking but the gates close at sunset, which is a great time to go, so if you plan on staying later, park outside the gates where there is ample street parking. Depending on the s...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles Historic Park
5.01.17 mi / 46 ft gainLos Angeles Historic Park is a loop trail that is good for all skill levels located near Dodgertown, California.Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Echo Park Lake
3.00.98 mi / 0 ft gainEcho Park Lake in Los Angeles has a loop that is about 1 mile around. It’s a pretty busy park, that has ducks and geese everywhere. Beautiful lotus blossoms and iris flowers in the lake. Generally flat and one tiny incline that can easily be avoided. You can also rent swan paddleboats that light ...Read more -
La Verne, California
Marshall Canyon Trail
4.05.99 mi / 722 ft gainFor this adventure you can choose to start in a multiple of places; for the easiest parking use Oak Mesa Park located next to Oak Mesa Elementary School. From the parking lot cross the soccer field towards the bridge on the north east end of the school. Once across the bridge follow Los Robles ea...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Ord & Yale Street Park
4.0Recently opened in 2021, right behind the LA Library in Chinatown, you’ll find this secret gem, tucked away in the corner. Covered picnic tables, with checkerboard game boards in place, and all gender bathrooms with changing tables for the little ones. Two play areas as well as a small climbing w...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Vista Hermosa Natural Park
4.20.58 mi / 36 ft gainVista Hermosa Natural Park is part of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. Located in the western gateway to Downtown Los Angeles, it’s very easy to drive by this hidden gem if you’re not looking for it. This park is the perfect mix of ur...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Canyonback Nike Loop
4.56.02 mi / 1693 ft gainCanyonback Nike Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Encino, California.Read more -
Claremont, California
Claremont Wilderness Loop
4.85.03 mi / 1020 ft gainDrive to the top of Mills Ave in Claremont. There is a main parking area to the left and overflow parking a block south on the right. It costs $3 to park for 4hrs. As the name implies, the Wilderness Loop is a loop that connects to other trails in the Claremont Hills Wilderness. You can choose t...Read more
