Secluded mountain treks. Unparalleled people-watching. Beautiful vistas of the city. Whatever it is you’re looking for to accompany your outdoor workout in Woodland Hills, this area has it all – in droves. Los Angeles, in general, is blessed with sunny weather nearly year-round and this geographical location allows us to hit some of the best beaches and mountains in the state – on the same day. But for many locals, hiking is at the top of the to-do roster, and what better way to indulge in this than with a jaw-dropping view of the surroundings.

The next time you’re looking for a gorgeous panorama of the City of Angels, don’t head to a clichéd rooftop bar – instead, lace up those hiking boots and head out onto the trail for a true look at the heart of Woodland Hills.

Top of Topanga Overlook, situated at 3400 North Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Topanga, is accessed from Topanga Canyon Drive above the Valley, providing visitors outstanding views of the Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Susana Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains and the wide valley below. Aside from being the ideal spot to go hiking, the nine-acre site includes parking, restroom facilities, expansive native landscaping, interpretive displays, a drinking fountain and picnic areas, making it one of the most scenic places to get your exercise on our entire list.

Calabasas Hidden Stairs, located on Calabasas Road in Calabasas, allows you to combine a hike with a stair workout what with this unique spot’s long, straight flight of 375 steps that climb a slope in the Santa Monica Mountains below a Calabasas neighborhood. This 0.6-mile hiking opportunity stretches from Calabasas Road just off Highway 101 to the base of the steps, and venturing to the top of the steps and back to the road makes a 1.4-mile round trip complete with 330 feet of elevation change; in fact, every repetition on the stairs adds 0.2 miles to the outing. The view from the top of Calabasas Stairs is actually pretty broad, with the Simi Hills, Santa Susana Mountains and a bit of the San Fernando Valley visible to the northeast. 

Cave of Muntis, situated in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area/Upper Las Virgenes Open Space Preserve, sits at a dramatic elevation of 722 feet and remains a “Chumash” Native American site that was reportedly the home of a powerful shaman who was killed after murdering the son of a powerful chief. Today, this structure can be easily visited via a short hike from El Escorpion Park or a longer, more pleasant loop from the Victory Trailhead, an area full of trails worn into by the landscape courtesy of hikers, cyclists and equestrians. The incline is pretty steep, especially for the very beginning of a trail, but you’ll gain just under 160 feet in 0.15 miles – so don’t feel bad if you need to stop to take a breather or two on the way up.

Topanga State Park, situated in the cliffs and canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, features 36 miles of trails through open grassland, live oaks and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. The park is located entirely within the L.A. city limits and is considered the world’s largest wildland within the boundaries of a major city; meanwhile, excellent recreational opportunities for hikers and mountain bikers await, with many of the park’s trails accessible from Trippet Ranch. The Musch Trail leads north to Musch Trail Camp by winding in and out of the sun and shade, where plant assemblages change with every subtle difference in light and moisture…and this is only the beginning of the exciting hiking experience that awaits you at Topanga State Park.

Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, located at the western end of Victory Boulevard, boasts more than 5,600 acres of land in the Simi Hills at the western edge of the San Fernando Valley, all part of a critical ecological linkage and wildlife corridor between the Santa Monica Mountains and the ranges to the north. Hikers, runners, mountain bikers and equestrians enjoy miles of trails through rolling hills studded with valley oaks, sycamore-lined canyon bottoms and vistas of unspoiled California landscapes. Meanwhile, the privately-owned historic Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Ranch House boasts commanding views, lawns and endless charm, available for special events of all kinds.

Bell Canyon Park, located at 24544 West Bell Canyon Road in West Hills, Los Angeles, offers a dramatic way to explore the Los Angeles River, which flows through the park with riparian zone vegetation along its natural banks. The geographic landmark Escorpion Peak (also known as Castle Peak) sits high above it to the south in adjacent El Escorpion Park, while trails along Bell Creek and upstream beside the Bell Canyon community boast junctions that connect with El Escorpion Park, Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve and their miles of trail networks. The trails are perfect for walking, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and equestrian riding.

Getting acquainted with the numerous hiking trails in Woodland Hills is the perfect way to discover why L.A. is the ideal place to get outside. We suggest wearing sturdy hiking shoes, carrying plenty of drinking water, using sunscreen and wearing sunglasses – and be sure to take along a camera to get shots of those beautiful views.