Los Angeles' Best Running Trails

Running is more than about just running on a treadmill or around a track. It can be serene, challenging, taxing, a picnic in the park or whatever you make. What makes the difference is this location. Los Angeles County has some pretty challenging trails. Here are a few of my favorites which I hope become some of your favorites.

Wilacre Park is an excellent canyon to run or walk briskly bit to the locals its called Fryman Canyon probably because its entrance is on Fryman just off of Laurel Canyon. It starts with an awesome steep uphill and you will just love it. It's just a short three mile path in Studio City and it very easy to find from the 101 freeway. There is a small parking lot and there is a $1 dollar usage fee. Its open from dusk to dawn and there are lots of trees so even if its hot it will be a lot cooler due to the heavy foliage in areas along the trail. Bring a water bottle too.

Another great trail is at Tree People which happens to have a connecting trail from Wilacre Park or you can access it also very easily from the 101 freeway and by taking Coldwater Canyon to Mulholland. Its address is 12601 Mulholland Drive in Beverly Hills. Tree People has 45-acres in all and the trails are open to dogs too with spots along the trail with pet water faucets. Aside from being an awesome trail it's a tree sanctuary so running this trail is quite Zen. Parking is free for this trails parking lot so if you don't have the loose change for the neighboring trail you can opt for one of Tree People's trail instead.

Runyon Canyon is also another local favorite this park is pretty popular so if you're looking for peace and loneliness while running you won't find it here. It accessible from Hollywood and it is just two block off of Hollywood Blvd. I wouldn't advise trying to access it from Hollywood because the parking is beyond difficult. You can enter and park from off of Mulholland. You can see the whole city of Hollywood at certain peaks. If I had to give this running trail a grade from 1 to 10 and 10 being the hardest I would say this is about a 5 is but is you're a hard runner it can easily be upped to a 7. Parking is free here too also. There are several trails in Runyon Canyon and if you want a real challenge you should try the lower canyon trail it is steep and challenging to say the least.

These are my favorite Los Angeles running trails and I hope you try them out and they become favorites of yours too.