Fern Dell Nature Trail

I recently visited the Fern Dell Nature Trail in Griffith Park and had a fantastic experience. There’s free street parking available, and although it can get a bit busy, I was able to find a spot within a couple of minutes. I took my dog along for the hike, and the trail was absolutely beautiful—well-maintained, clean, and very dog-friendly. The trail winds through lush greenery, with plenty of shade along the way, making the hike up to the Griffith Observatory enjoyable and comfortable, even in warmer weather. Once you reach the top, you’re rewarded with breathtaking views of Los Angeles and the iconic Hollywood sign—definitely a sight worth the hike. Even with a lot of people on the trail, it never felt overcrowded, and the overall atmosphere was calm and friendly. I also appreciated how safe the park felt throughout the visit. Whether you’re looking for a scenic hike, a dog-friendly outing, or just some time outdoors, I highly recommend checking out the Fern Dell Nature Trail.

Very nice clean trail in a beautiful and safe setting that leads up to a view of the LA skyline and observatory. Bring a bottle of water. Took about 30 minutes at a leisure pace to get to the top. Wear shoes that have good grips. Even in running shoes I slipped a couple times walking back down. Nothing major that caused me to fall, just a little slipping. Pathway is very dusty so don’t wear flip flops.

This trail is beautiful and leads to numerous others within Griffith Park. I use the AllTrails app every time I hike and I recommend using it if you want to explore the trails and see which routes you'd like to take. My cousin and I parked along Fern Dell Pl. for free on a Thursday afternoon. It was pretty busy but once you get hiking further into the area, the trails become a little more quiet. We began on the Fern Dell Nature trail into the East Observatory trail and finally onto the Mount Hollywood trail which led us to the Griffith Park Trails peak offering breathtaking views of the Observatory and L.A. We then continued to Captains Roost (another beautiful vantage point) and we made our return. It was a total of 4.08 miles with uphill, flat and switchback paths. I would definitely hike here again and hike a new path.

One of my favorite trails in L.A.!!!! So peaceful and relaxing. Even if you just want to go in it and take a book and read while you listen to the creek, there are plenty of benches for you to do that. I know you will leave this place feeling so refreshed! Easy trail, a 2.6 mile loop or so, a little steep at the top but easy to complete. You run in to the Trails cafe on way too! Must try even if you don’t see yourself as a “hiker”. So worth it.

Different trails in one. Fern trail takes you to the observatory. Nice trail. We went on a Sunday evening and there was quite a bit of people still walking on the trail. For the most part no trash.