When it comes to fantastic hiking trails, Southern California has an abundance of destinations where you can get outside and explore nature all year long. One of SoCal’s gems is a heavenly trail that leads to an iconic destination that everyone knows and loves — the Griffith Park Observatory. You may have visited this gem before, but have you ever hiked to it? Here’s a closer look at what you can expect along the trail.
When you’re looking for a refreshing hike that will take you to one of SoCal’s most iconic destinations, you’ll want to head to Griffith Park.
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Although there are many hikes to enjoy throughout Griffith Park, the Ferndell Trail will treat you to storybook surroundings that will take your breath away.
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You can find the Ferndell Trailhead at the intersection of Ferndell Drive and Black Oak Drive in Los Angeles inside Griffith Park.
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When you start out on the trail, you’ll be surrounded by a secret garden that will remind you of a fairytale.
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The trail itself is fairly easy to navigate and not very long. At 2.5 miles, this is one trail that most everyone will be able to enjoy.
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Throughout the Ferndell trail you’l feel like you’re in a storybook setting. From towering trees to lush greenery, this place is pure magic.
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You’ll even encounter a bridge or two and a small stream to complete the fairytale setting.
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Although a good portion of the hike is in a lush and shaded setting, this trail is full of variety and will soon take you from an enchanted forest to a wide open trail with epic city views.
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Even if you’re not a fan of the city, it’s hard not to appreciate the view you’ll encounter as you reach this part of the trail.
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As beautiful as the hike has been up to this point, the real jaw-dropper is when you spot the Griffith Observatory from around the bend. It’s like it pops out of nowhere. And it’s beyond stunning.
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Although this hike is only 2.5 miles, you’ll definitely get a nice workout as there is a bit of an incline as you head toward the observatory. But believe us, it’s worth it!
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And just like that, before you know it, you’ll reach the observatory on foot. It’s even more stunning close up!
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Make sure to visit the Griffith Park Observatory while you’re here. What a great way to reward yourself after a hike! The observatory is open from 12 p.m. -10 p.m. weekdays and 10 p.m. -10 p.m. weekends. And best of all, admission to the observatory is completely free.
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What do you think of this stunning hiking trail in Southern California? If you enjoy exploring the great outdoors, you may also like these 11 fantastic hikes in SoCal that are under three miles. It’s a great way to experience the beauty of Southern California without breaking much of a sweat.
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karina reyes/all trails
marina cachu/all trails
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reshmi basu/all trails
all trails/dawn montecillo
dawn montecillo/all trails
joanne lee/flickr
joanne lee/all trails
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