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Running Trails in Los Angeles: A Local Guide
Los Angeles, California has 43 trails in this directory — 8 paved, 8 natural-surface dirt and 1 boardwalk. Of those, 11 are loops you can run without backtracking, 8 run under tree canopy and 6 publish a measured distance (the longest is 8 mi). 2 are open 24 hours, which is what you want if you run before work.
Los Angeles has a genuine mix: smooth paved and crushed-stone corridors for steady mileage, and natural-surface trail when you want dirt under your feet.
What the running is like in Los Angeles
- Paved (8). Asphalt and concrete greenways and multi-use paths — fast, predictable, runnable year-round, and the surface that stays usable through winter and after rain. Expect to share them with cyclists.
- Natural surface (8). Dirt paths, doubletrack and singletrack. Softest underfoot and the most fun to run, but expect roots, rocks and mud for days after rain.
- Boardwalk (1). Elevated decking over wetland or dunes. Flat and scenic, and slick when wet.
- Loops (11). Start and finish at your car with no backtracking and no shuttle — the shape most runners want.
- Long-run trails (2). Enough continuous distance for a real long run without repeating the same mile six times.
- Shaded (8). Tree canopy, which in July is the difference between a pleasant run and a heat trap.
- Lit for night runs (6). Floodlit paths for dark mornings and after-work runs.
- Flat and fast (6). Even grade, no surprises — the profile for steady miles and pace work.
- Hilly (25). Real climbing if you want vert. Power-hiking the steep sections is normal, not failure.
- Scenic (35). Waterfront, river and park routes where the miles go by faster.
6 trails to start with
Ranked by what local runners say — rating weighted by review count. Open any of them for surface, loop distance, hours and what the reviews mention.
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 7,237 reviews
This 308-acre park features a Japanese garden, a workout course, athletic fields & scenic trails.
Runyon Canyon Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 5,669 reviews
Landmark hiking trails known for sweeping city views & people watching, plus an off-leash dog park.
Ferndell Nature Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,835 reviews
Quarter-mile footpath along a man-made stream, shaded by tropical foliage & sycamore trees.
Firebreak Trail to Griffith Observatory
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,563 reviews
Steep 1.3-mile-long unmade trail leading to the domed Art Deco observatory with views across LA.
Ascot Hills Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,448 reviews
Urban retreat featuring rolling hills, views of downtown, hiking trails & a small amphitheater.
Eugene A. Obregón Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,473 reviews
This city park offers grassy lawns & picnic space, a playground, baseball field & basketball court.
How to pick one
Start with the run you're actually doing, not the prettiest photo. For a long run, look for a continuous corridor with a known distance — a rail-trail or greenway with mile markers beats a park with a tangle of short spurs, and remember that "miles of trails" is a system total, not a route you can run. For an easy day, natural surface is kinder to the legs. For a tempo, you want predictable footing, so paved or crushed stone.
Then check the practical stuff: trailhead parking (29 here) , restrooms (15) , water fountains (11) . Running with a dog? 29trails are flagged dog-friendly. 17arestroller and wheelchair accessible.
And check the hours before you drive out. Plenty of parks close at dusk and gate the lot, so a trail that works at 6pm in June is locked at 6pm in November. Trail conditions move too — natural-surface paths stay muddy for days after rain, low-lying greenways flood, and sections close for construction — so the most recent reviews on a listing are worth thirty seconds of your time.
More running in Los Angeles
Browse every trail on the Los Angeles trails page, or widen the search to running trails across California. You can also browse by surface, by feature, or check the best-rated trails.
New to trails? Read how to start trail running and what to bring on a trail run. Sharing a busy greenway with cyclists? Trail running etiquette. Running before sunrise or after work? Running trails at night.