LA’s Most Difficult Hiking Trail | Echo Mountain via Rubio Canyon — Michael Shepherd Jordan (2024)

FAQs

What is the hardest hiking trail in Los Angeles? ›

The Great Himalaya Trail is without doubt the toughest single trail in the world. But few can spare the months required to trek the thousands of miles of trail.

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), officially designated as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail closely aligned with the highest portion of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, which lie 100 to 150 miles (160 to 240 km) east of the U.S. Pacific coast.

Welcome to the Backbone Trail! Look west from Los Angeles you'll see not just the Santa Monica Mountains, but also the gateway to one of America's premier long-distance trails. Stretching 67 miles, the Backbone Trail invites nearby residents to explore surprisingly accessible nature.

General Elevation Guidelines

200-400 feet per mile | Easy. 400-700 feet per mile | Moderate. 700-1000 feet per mile | Difficult. 1000+ feet per mile | Challenging.

The Continental Divide Trail

Considered by many to be the most challenging and remote of the Triple Crown trails, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is a 3000+ mile adventure from Mexico to Canada, traveling through five western states.

1. Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail runs 2,190 miles along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains, from Georgia to the middle of Maine. It passes through 14 states, and is the most popular of the three “Triple Crown” trails in the US.

The Triple Crown consists of the Big Three National Scenic Trails: The Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail.

Mount Wilson via Firebreaks / Winter Creek Trails

On the ascent, you'll gain 3800 feet on steep, unmaintained use-trail that rises and falls in full sunlight. It's grueling and tough, but when you get to that summit, you'll know you've earned it. And don't worry – the return route is all on mostly shaded single-track.

What is the most difficult summit in California? ›

Thunderbolt Peak

The summit block is 5.8-5.9 and the hardest of all California 14ers.

Mt Whitney, 14,495

Whitney is the highest point in the lower 48 states. This peak has many routes that will take you to the summit. A trail accesses the summit from the Whitney Portal. Or, step it up a notch with the third-class Mountaineer's Route, which adds more challenge and sees fewer people.

Timberline Trail, Mt.

This legendary path deserves top honors for its mileage alone: Most hikers take 4 days—not 1—to conquer the Timberline, which circles the base of 11,239-foot Mt. Hood. But these are Oregon's Cascades, so the challenge goes well beyond trekking more than a marathon and a half's worth of miles.

Check out this 2.7-mile loop trail near West Hollywood, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 34 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

With an elevation gain of 1,250 feet, the Mt. Hollywood Trail is a great option for beginner hikers who aren't opposed to breaking a sweat. This 5.3-mile loop is easy to moderate in difficulty and takes an average of two hours and 50 minutes to complete.