The best dog-friendly hikes in Los Angeles

It’s a bit of a scene for humans and the same goes for dogs, too. But there’s a reason this popular Hollywood hike is packed with pups: It’s one of the only hikes in L.A. where you’re legally allowed to walk with your dog off-leash. Do note that you’ll need to keep your pup on-leash near all of the entrances; once you hit the gate north of the Fuller entrance you can let them roam, but we suggest taking a look at the city’s map of the park for the exact boundaries. If the three-mile loop is pushing it for either you or your dog, consider a shorter jaunt via the Mulholland entrance to the north.

Sprawling across the Santa Monica Mountains just west of the 405, this 1,500-acre piece of wilderness is accessible from both sides of the hill. The MRCA-managed park is also one of the only trails where you can let your dog walk off-leash (assuming your pup can be recalled on demand, and you’ll still need to carry a leash with you).

The 7.5-mile-round-trip West Mandeville Fire Road trail starts on the northern edge of Brentwood (at the end of Westridge Road) and about-faces at San Vicente Mountain Park’s Nike missile tower. Alternatively, the three-mile out-and-back Upper Canyonback Trail is much shorter, and easier for Valley dwellers with a trailhead in Encino (17024 Mulholland Drive).

This mountains-meet-the-ocean hike is one of our favorites anywhere, and the persistently-pleasant Malibu temperatures make it a good fit for your pup, too. But we’re just as wild about the location perks of this 2.5-mile on-leash out-and-back trail: The parking lot ($12; free along PCH) is right next to Malibu Seafood, and it’s just over 20 minutes away from Leo Carrillo State Beach, one of only two (on-leash) dog-friendly beaches in the county.

Consider Millard Canyon the Goldilocks of area waterfall hikes: The creek crossings are easier and less frequent than Eaton Canyon Falls, and the trail as a whole is considerably shorter than something like Escondido Falls. That’s particularly helpful to know if you plan on bringing an on-leash dog with you to the popular Altadena trek. The hike to and from the 50-foot falls is just over a mile if you park in the lot near the end of Chaney Trail, though you can tack on an extra mile by parking farther back at the Mt. Lowe Road trailhead. In either case, you’ll need to display your Adventure Pass ($5).

Whether you’re approaching from Los Feliz or Glendale, the trail options are plenty in Griffith Park, which offers flexibility for both your and your pup’s hiking experience. You can never go wrong with the two-mile West Observatory Trail loop, one of the most popular routes to the observatory. In this case, we suggest pairing it with an afternoon spent along Fern Dell, the wooded, shaded section of the park anchored by the Trails cafe.

It’s technically more of a walk than a hike, but we think this is an excellent option for first-time dog hikers. Every third Sunday of the month, you can roam the Palos Verdes garden’s 87 acres with your fur baby. You—the human—will need a reservation, while your best friend—the pup—will need to remain on their leash at all times, including in the parking lot.