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Santa Clarita, California

Looking for the best hiking in Santa Clarita? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Santa Clarita. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Santa Clarita

  • Los Angeles, California

    Verdugo's North Ridge Trail

    12.7 mi / 2684 ft gain
    The Verdugo Mountain Range is a small, rugged range spanning across the northeast end of the San Fernando Valley from Sun Valley to Glendale. With close to 50 miles of graded and well-maintained trails, the Verdugos are surprisingly underutilized and make a great place for someone looking to esca...
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  • Los Angeles County, California

    Trail Canyon Falls

    4.0
    4.56 mi / 1017 ft gain
    To get to the trail, take Big Tujunga Canyon Road until you see signs for Trail Canyon Road. The entry point is easy to miss, but keep an eye out for a stop sign and cars parked at the bottom of a dirt path. Drive up the dirt path for direct parking at the trailhead (4x4 is definitely recommended...
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  • Topanga, California

    Top of Topanga Overlook

    1 mi / 1613 ft gain
    The Top of Topanga Overlook is where you can simply park your car, and sit in one of the benches to view the San Fernando Valley. But there is one hiking trail in that area which lets you get better vantage points, as well as a quick workout. Once you get to the overlook, park your car and safel...
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  • Los Angeles, California

    Hike to Vanalden Vista

    2 mi / 300 ft gain
    To get to the trailhead take Vanalden Ave until it dead ends. Follow the trail at the end of the road as it winds up into the mountains and to the left. You can easily find the trail on Google Maps, so you can use this as a guide. The trail will fork to the left after half a mile. The trail, Vana...
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  • Los Angeles, California

    Verdugo Peak via Hostetter Fire Road

    5.0
    7.39 mi / 1627 ft gain
    Verdugo Peak, at 3000 feet, is accessible from multiple directions and trails along the Verdugo Range. The most direct route to the top is Hostetter Fire Road, a 3.6-mile hard-packed dirt trail that climbs 1600 feet to the 3,126-foot summit. The hike begins at the dirt parking lot off of La Tuna ...
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  • Burbank, California

    Old Youth Camp Loop

    2.59 mi / 732 ft gain
    The Old Youth Camp Loop is a 2.6-mile loop with over 700 feet of elevation gain that can be ran, hiked, or even mountain biked if you prefer. While not completely empty the area receives very little visitors and is a great place to enjoy a little more solitude than near by hiking locations. The l...
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  • Los Angeles, California

    Canyonback Nike Loop

    4.0
    6.02 mi / 1693 ft gain
    Canyonback Nike Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Encino, California.
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  • Oak Park, California

    China Flat Trail to Simi Peak

    5.0
    5.03 mi / 1398 ft gain
    From the trailhead, simply follow the trail headed up the mountain. The first 2 miles is the hardest part of the hike, because of the steep ascent.  Continue on until you hit a junction. Turn left, and you will eventually see an old rusty gate, and a sign which says "China Flat Trail". You will ...
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  • Burbank, California

    Vital Link Trail

    4.0
    3.72 mi / 1775 ft gain
    From I-5, take the Burbank Blvd exit. Drive north on Burbank Blvd. and take a right on N 3rd. Left on E Harvard. Right on Wildwood Canyon after 1.5 miles. There are a few ways you can begin your hike: from the parking lot, the entrance will be to the left past the gate. Here you were have a stee...
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  • Burbank, California

    Wildwood Canyon Loop

    3.98 mi / 1680 ft gain
    The Vital Link Trail is a steep and narrow out-and-back trail accessed though the Wildwood Canyon Park located in Burbank, CA. Parking at Wildwood Canyon is free and easy, and will be determined by which of the four trailheads you choose to start from.  For the shortest and most direct route you...
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  • Topanga, California

    Calabasas Peak Motorway

    7.23 mi / 1565 ft gain
    Getting There You can, from Los Angeles, go one of three ways: take I-405 to US-101 and head west, or from downtown, take US-101 the whole way, OR, get on I-10 from the Westside or east of there and take that until it becomes PCH, then take that to Topanga Canyon (turn left onto Old Topanga Cany...
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  • Castaic, California

    Hiking the Piru Creek Gorge Trail

    Take the I-5 exit North of Castaic, CA at Templin Hwy. Turn onto Golden State Hwy heading the only direction it goes from the exit, North. When it dead-ends in a few miles at the National Forest Gate, you are at Frenchman's Flat.You can camp here, or hang with the day hikers. Heading North along ...
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  • Los Angeles County, California

    Big Tujunga Canyon Lookouts

    1.22 mi / 453 ft gain
    Park at the Condor Peak Trailhead, please note that this trail head is unmarked so keep your eyes peeled on the right side of the turnout for a small single track trail. The trail gradually climbs along the side of the canyon until reaching a 4 way intersection. To your left and to your right wil...
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  • Topanga, California

    Red Rock Canyon to Calabasas Peak

    4.0
    4.53 mi / 1004 ft gain
    When you get to the parking lot be sure to pay the $5 parking fee. You will need to place this in the provided envelope and drop it in the iron ranger.  Start the hike by following the fire road behind the gate. About a couple of yards in, you will see a trail on your left which leads to a ghoul...
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  • Topanga, California

    Eagle Rock in Topanga State Park

    4.4
    5.99 mi / 1106 ft gain
    Eagle Rock is located in Topanga State Park in the Santa Monica Mountains, and it is a unique formation that provides an amazing panoramic view of Santa Monica. On a clear day, the Catalina Islands and Palos Verdes Peninsula are visible. You can park on along the street of Entrada Rd. or pay $10 ...
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  • Topanga, California

    Parker Mesa Overlook via Trippet Ranch

    4.0
    6.75 mi / 1181 ft gain
    This is a 6.8 mile round-trip hike that starts at Trippet Ranch in Topanga Canyon. Even though the range in elevation is 400 feet from peak to trough, the up and down trail totals to approximately 1800 feet elevation gain making this a beginner to intermediate adventure.  The trail itself is pre...
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