How to Hike to the Hollywood Sign: Every Route Compared
Four trails lead to the road above the letters. Here is how long each one takes, where to park, and which one fits your legs and your schedule.
9 min read
Let's clear something up first: you can't walk up to the Hollywood Sign and touch it. The letters sit behind a fence on the steep south face of Mount Lee, and climbing that fence is illegal. What you can do is hike to Mount Lee Drive, the paved service road that runs above and behind the letters, and look down on them with all of Los Angeles stretched out beyond.
Four trails get you there. They differ a lot in length, steepness and parking headaches, and a few old guides still point to a route that has been closed for years. Here's how to choose.
The routes at a glance
| Route | Starts at | Round trip | Climb | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brush Canyon | 3200 Canyon Dr (lot at the end of the road) | about 6.4 mi | about 1,050 ft | about 3 hrs | A balanced day hike with the easiest parking |
| Innsdale Drive | Innsdale Dr, near Lake Hollywood | about 4.6 mi | about 750 ft | 2 to 2.5 hrs | Head-on views of the letters |
| Burbank Peak (Wonder View) | Lake Hollywood Dr area | about 3 mi | 900+ ft | about 2 hrs | Strong hikers who want short, steep and quiet |
| Griffith Observatory | Observatory lot | about 8.8 mi | long, rolling climb | 4+ hrs | Building a full day around the park |
Footnote: Distances, climbs and times are approximate and come from published trail guides. Your GPS track will differ.
Brush Canyon: the dependable one
- Trailhead
- 3200 Canyon Drive
- Round trip
- about 6.4 miles
- Climb
- about 1,050 feet
- Parking
- lots at the end of Canyon Drive
Since the Beachwood shortcut closed, this is the route Los Angeles points hikers toward, and it shows. Canyon Drive has a parking lot, sidewalks and trash cans, which is more than you can say for the other trailheads.
Park near 3200 Canyon Drive, walk through the gate at the end of the road, and follow the Bronson Caves access road to the start of Brush Canyon Trail. The first stretch climbs gradually. After about four-tenths of a mile it gets significantly steeper. At roughly 1.2 miles the trail ends at Mulholland Trail, a wide fire road. Turn left, pass the junction with Hollyridge Trail, and keep following Mulholland toward Mount Lee. The last mile is the steepest. Then paved Mount Lee Drive wraps around the ridge to a spot above the letters.
Bonus: the same trailhead leads to Bronson Caves, the tunnel used as the "Batcave" in the 1960s TV series. Plan about three hours round trip for the Sign, longer if you detour.
Innsdale Drive: the photo route
- Trailhead
- Innsdale Drive, near Lake Hollywood
- Round trip
- about 4.6 miles
- Climb
- about 750 feet
- Parking
- residential streets, limited
If the goal is a picture of the letters, this is the route. Start on Innsdale Drive and walk up the wide dirt road. About a quarter mile in, the Sign seems to hang directly overhead. From there the trail joins Mulholland Highway, then Mount Lee Drive, with a short spur to a viewpoint known as Hollywood Sign View. Dogs are welcome on a leash.
Parking is the catch. This is a residential neighborhood, and the end of Deronda Drive has no parking. Many hikers park legally on nearby streets such as Canyon Lake Drive or Tahoe Drive and walk about ten minutes to the trailhead. A rideshare drop-off is easier still. Read every posted sign, keep voices down, and remember that people live here.
Burbank Peak (Wonder View): short, steep and quiet
- Trailhead
- Wonder View Drive area, off Lake Hollywood Drive
- Round trip
- about 3 miles
- Climb
- 900+ feet to Cahuenga Peak
- Parking
- along Lake Hollywood Drive
This route used to be called the Wonder View Trail. It climbs from the Lake Hollywood side up toward the Wisdom Tree and Cahuenga Peak, which at 1,820 feet is the highest point in Griffith Park. From there Aileen Getty Ridge Trail crosses the saddle to Mount Lee and passes Hugh Hefner Overlook, which gives a side-on view of the Sign.
It is the shortest way to the Sign and the hardest on your legs. The trail is rugged and exposed, so it is not a good first hike. There is no street parking on Wonder View Drive itself, so park along Lake Hollywood Drive and walk up.
Griffith Observatory: the long way, with the big views
- Trailhead
- Griffith Observatory parking lot
- Round trip
- about 8.8 miles
- Climb
- long, rolling, crosses Mount Hollywood
- Parking
- Observatory lot, which fills early
Starting at the Observatory lets you pair a landmark visit with a long hike. The route climbs Mount Hollywood (1,625 feet) and continues across Griffith Park toward Mount Lee Drive. It is not a direct line, and guides generally recommend other trailheads if the Sign is your only goal. So this one is for people who want a full day in the park.
If you want less, hike just to the top of Mount Hollywood, about 3 miles round trip. You won't get close to the letters, but the 360-degree view with the Sign in the distance is a classic. The Observatory lot fills early, especially on weekends, so arrive in the morning.
What's closed: the Beachwood shortcut
Rules and safety
- Look, don't touch. The letters and the communications facility on Mount Lee are closed to the public, and climbing the Sign's fence is illegal. Mount Lee Drive is the closest legal spot. Follow every posted sign and gate.
- Mind the clock. Griffith Park is open from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., but trails close at dusk. Start early and leave yourself margin before sunset.
- Bring more water than you think. There is almost no shade on any of these routes. Start early in warm weather.
- Expect wildlife. Deer, coyotes and rattlesnakes live here. Give them room.
- Share the trail with horses. Riders use many of these trails. Step aside, stay calm, and speak so the horse knows you're a person.
- Keep dogs on a leash. Hot dirt and pavement are hard on paws.
- Check before you go. Trails can close for fire danger or weather. Call the Griffith Park Ranger Station at (323) 913-4688 for current closures. Hiking in Griffith Park doesn't require a fee or a permit.
Which route should you pick?
Pick Brush Canyon if you want a dependable day hike and easy parking. Pick Innsdale Drive if photos of the letters matter most and you can handle a short walk from where you park. Pick Burbank Peak if you're fit, up early, and want a quick, steep climb with fewer people. Pick the Observatory route if you're building a whole day around Griffith Park and don't mind the miles.
Prefer to let a horse do the climbing?
If four to six dusty miles sounds like more adventure than you signed up for, there's another way into these hills. Sunset Ranch Hollywood day tours ride the Mulholland and Mt. Hollywood trails above Beachwood Canyon, with views of the Sign and the city below. Our rides are perfect for beginners and experienced riders alike.
Frequently asked questions
Can you touch the Hollywood Sign?
No. The letters are fenced and protected, and climbing the fence is illegal. The closest legal spot is Mount Lee Drive, which runs above and behind the Sign.
How long does it take to hike to the Hollywood Sign?
Allow about two hours for the shorter routes, about three hours for Brush Canyon, and most of a day from Griffith Observatory.
Where do you park?
For Brush Canyon, use the lots at the end of Canyon Drive. For Innsdale Drive, park legally on nearby residential streets such as Canyon Lake Drive and walk up. For Burbank Peak, park along Lake Hollywood Drive. Always read posted signs.
Can you hike to the Hollywood Sign at night?
No. Griffith Park trails close at dusk, even though the park itself stays open until 10:30 p.m.
Do you need a permit or have to pay?
No. Hiking in Griffith Park doesn't require a fee or a permit.
Can you drive to the Hollywood Sign?
No. Driving up to the Sign isn't allowed. You have to hike to Mount Lee Drive.
Is the Hollyridge Trail from Beachwood Drive open?
No. The public trailhead at the top of Beachwood Drive has been closed since April 2017.