Shortest Hike To Hollywood Sign (Locals Use This Route)

The Hollywood Sign is perhaps the most recognizable in the world.

The best way to experience this iconic landmark is hiking to the top of the Hollywood Hills, but most routes are gratuitously long-winded.

Read on if you are looking for the shortest route to the Hollywood Sign.

What’s The Shortest Hike To The Hollywood Sign?

There are several routes to the Hollywood Sign. The shortest one is a 3-mile round trip on the Burbank Peak Trail.

With two steep peaks to scale, it’s also the most challenging. If you’re looking for an easier trek, there are alternative routes to consider.

Facts About The Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood sign was erected in 1923 to promote a new housing development in Hollywood Hills.

Over the years, the famous letters have become synonymous with the greater Los Angeles area. It’s also a common feature in American movies and TV shows.

The Hollywood Sign is barricaded by a high-tech security system, meaning you can’t go right up to the sign.

However, the numerous hiking trails around Griffith Park allow hikers to view the popular sign from various angles.

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Getting There

The Hollywood Sign sits at Mount Lee’s summit, located within Griffith Park.

At 4,000 acres, Griffith Park is the largest urban park in the United States, offering spectacular city views and beautiful picnic spots.

There’s no way to experience the Hollywood Sign in all its glory without a short hike to the top of Mount Lee, which can be challenging.

A few trails of varying lengths and topography lead to the summit, where the iconic sign is located.

The easiest way to get to Griffith Park is by car. If you don’t have a car or don’t want to drive, you can take an Uber or a Lyft to Griffith Park.

Public transport is also an option. You can take one of the several trails from the park to the top of the Hollywood Hills.

What’s The Shortest Hike to the Hollywood Sign?

Previously known as Wonder View Trail, the Burbank Peak Trail is the shortest hike to the Hollywood Sign.

hiking to see Hollywood Sign — Hollywood Sign famous landmark

It’s a 3-mile (round trip) but is also the most challenging. For this reason, it’s also the least crowded trail.

This trail gains elevation quickly, peaking at 875 ft. The steep elevation gain makes the hike quite difficult.

Winding along a single track, this hike offers more to see, such as the Wisdom Tree, than the other routes.

If you’re looking for the most adventurous experience on your way to the Hollywood Sign, consider taking the Burbank Peak Trail.

However, you need to be prepared to handle the steep elevation.

Other Hiking Trails To The Hollywood Sign

The Burbank Peak Trail is not the only route to the top of Hollywood Hills.

There are other hiking trails if you are looking for a smoother and perhaps more forgiving trek. Here are different paths that will take you to the Hollywood Sign.

Hollywood Hills sign — Route to the top of Hollywood Hills

The Hollyridge Trail

After the Burbank Trail, the next shortest hike to the Hollywood Sign is on the Hollyridge Trail.

This route is a five-mile round trip, which is also the easiest. The problem is that this route doesn’t take you behind the Hollywood Sign or get you as close as the other trails.

Brush Canyon Trail

If you feel like the first two hikes are too challenging, consider the Brush Canyon Trail.

Measuring 6.4 miles for the round trip, Brush Canyon Trail is a little longer.

However, unlike the Hollyridge Trail, this hike will take you directly behind the letters.

Innsdale Trail

Another great route to the Hollywood Sign is the Innsdale Trail. The 4.3-mile-long hike will take you to the closest to the Hollywood Sign.

However, this route leads to the front of the sign, and you can never get to the backside of the iconic landmark from here.

It’s also quite scenic, offering numerous photo opportunities.

Cahuenga Peak Trail

It’s not the shortest (6 miles round trip), but the Cahuenga Peak Trail is more adventurous and spectacular than most of the routes on this list.

This trail is ideal for more experienced hikers. The track is rocky and not very well-defined, so be prepared.

The Mount Hollywood Trail

Along with the Hollyridge Trail, Mount Hollywood Trail is the most popular hike to the Hollywood Sign.

It’s a relatively easy trek, head up Mount Hollywood and make your way up through a lush forest of pines.

A few miles into your ascent, you’ll start catching amazing views of the Hollywood Sign.

Other Ways To View The Hollywood Sign

The hiking trails in and around Griffith Park provide the best ways to see and experience the Hollywood Sign.

Hollywood Sign view — Visit Hollywood Sign

However, there are other ways to view the iconic landmark.

Not up for a hike?

Try one of these locations.

Griffith Observatory. The Griffith Observatory inside Griffith Park offers breathtaking views of the Hollywood Sign. This facility is also home to a planetarium and regularly hosts exhibits and other special events.

The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks shuttle service. You can also catch a shuttle through the park to enjoy views of the sign courtesy of the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.

Mulholland Drive Overlook. You can also enjoy scenic views of the Hollywood Sing from the Mulholland Drive Overlook. Here, you can view the Hollywood Sign while taking breathtaking photos of the city below.

Mulholland Hwy. Not to be confused with Mulholland Drive, Mulholland Hwy is also a great vantage point for the famous letters. There are quite a few viewpoints from the neighborhood directly below the sign (Beachwood Canyon). However, finding a great spot for parking on Mulholland Hwy is the challenge.

Lake Hollywood Park. If a hike to the top of Mount Lee doesn’t appeal to you, consider visiting the nearby Lake Hollywood Park to catch a glimpse of the Hollywood Sign. The scenic, dog-friendly park offers an excellent view of the letters.

Shortest Hike to Hollywood Sign FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked questions about the shortest hike to Hollywood Sign.

What is the shortest hiking route to the Hollywood sign?

At 3 miles for the round trip, the Burbank Peak Trail is the shortest hike to the Hollywood sign. It’s also the most challenging of the routes, with steep elevation, rugged terrain, and plenty of adventure.

Which is the best hiking route to the Hollywood sign?

There are many hiking trails to the Hollywood Sign, each with varying lengths and degrees of difficulty. You get to choose the best one based on your needs and preferences,

What is the easiest route to the Hollywood sign?

If you are looking for an easy hike that gets you incredibly close to the Hollywood Sign, consider taking the Hollyridge Trail. If you don’t want to hike, visit the Griffith Observatory for scenic views of the iconic letters.

Conclusion

The Hollywood Sign is among the most famous landmarks in the United States. A hike to this iconic landmark and cultural icon is the adventure of a lifetime.

You can take many hiking trails, and the best one boils down to individual preference.