The Easy Hollywood Sign Hike Guide
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Los Angeles Hikes

The Easy Hollywood Sign Hike Guide

By Cris Hazzard, Professional Hiking Guide
Updated July 22, 2025

Hike Stats

Total Distance
6 miles
Time
3-4 hours
Total Climbing
1100 feet
Difficulty
Moderate
Crowds
Crowded
Dogs
Leashed
Gear
What I Use
Weather
Latest Report
Park
Griffith Park

Hiking to the Hollywood Sign not only gets you to the iconic sign but also provides a fun and safe hike away from the hustle of LA. I'm a professional hiking guide; I'll show you the best (and confusion-free) way to do the hike everyone enjoys. Thousands of people of all shapes and sizes hike to the Hollywood Sign, and so can you.

There's a lot of conflicting information about hiking to the Hollywood Sign. This guide is verified and up to date as of November 2025.

Want a shorter hike to the sign? You can visit the sign from the Wisdom Tree, but it's a more rugged trail that isn't beginner-friendly. Want to just go on a hike without any climbing or dirt but that has good views of the sign? Try the Lake Hollywood hike.

Getting to the Hollywood Sign Hike

Hollywood Sign Location Map
The hike to the Hollywood Sign starts in one of North America's largest urban parks, Griffith Park, located in Hollywood.

Unlike other hikes, you don't have to park in a residential neighborhood or walk through a gated community. The hike starts inside Griffith Park, and has an official parking lot. Be aware the the park hours are sunrise to sunset. Use this trailhead address: 3200 Canyon Dr, Los Angeles, CA, 90068, USA.

When you’re planning your Hollywood Sign hike, I’d recommend doing it as early as possible to beat the heat and crowds.

hollywood sign hike parking
When you get to the trailhead address, you can park in the big lot (lot 1), or you can drive up to the second lot that’s closer to the trailhead (lot 2). Try for the closer one, and if it’s full, head back to the bigger first lot. People also park on the side of the road farther down.
Hollywood Hike Parking
The large lot (lot 1) has porta-potties.

Gear Recommendations

This isn't a technical hike that requires special gear, but it's also not something you do in jeans and flip-flops.

  • Fitness or light hiking clothing works best
  • Trail runners or sneakers are great for these dirt trails
  • It can get brutally hot here in the summer; bring at least 1L of water
  • A small backpack is great for your water, a snack, etc.

Essentials I’m Using Now

Hollywood Sign Trail Maps

Hollywood Hike Trail Sign
The trails are well-marked with signs like this. We're going to the Mt Lee Summit.

Bring the turn by turn directions on this hike with you! Click here, download the free Footpath app (Android and iPhone) and you'll have a guided hike on your phone!

Click to activate map
CalTopo
Print Map, Work With It Yourself
GPX
Bring the Guide to Any GPS

Hollywood Sign Hike Directions

Hollywood Sign Directions 2
Hike through the gate at the end of Canyon Drive.
Hollywood Sign Directions 3
Keep hiking uphill on Brush Canyon Trail for about 1 mile.
Hollywood Sign Directions 4
When the Brush Canyon Trail dead ends, make the left onto Mulholland Trail.
Hollywood Sign Directions 5
The Mulholland Trail winds its way around the mountain for about a mile.
Hollywood Sign Directions 6
When the trail splits, stay right on the Mulholland Trail.
Hollywood Sign Directions 1
The Mulholland Trail ends at the paved Mt Lee Road. Hike right and go uphill for about a mile.
Hollywood Sign Directions 7
This last mile of hiking is the steepest.
Hollywood Sign Directions 8
When you get to the radio towers, look for a hidden trail to the left.
Hollywood Sign Directions 9
Hike up the small hidden trail to the summit.
Hollywood Sign Directions 10
Here you are, the summit of Mt Lee!
Hollywood Sign Directions 11
Enjoy the views and then hike back down the way you came up.

Originally published June 9, 2023