How long is the Hollywood sign Hike
- Aug 12
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
If you're someone who loves the movies, you've probably seen the Hollywood sign a thousand times by now. But what is it like to hike up there and visit it in person? That's what we'll be discussing in this guide.
You probably noticed it's on the side of a hill, but how accessible is it? How long does it take to hike the Hollywood sign? What equipment do you need to get there? And what are the best times to start?
We answer all your questions in full below.
Starting your Hollywood sign Hike
Starting your Hollywood Sign hike is relatively easy. Thousands of people do it every year because of how famous the sign itself is, so there are plenty of facilities and trails.
Up to year 2017, most people used to start their Hollywood sign hike from the Hollyridge Trail at the top of Beachwood Drive. This route offered a short, forgiving climb that put visitors in front of the letters relatively quickly. However, after an April 2017 court ruling, that access point is closed.
Now the city recommends starting from the Brush Canyon Trail at the north end of Canyon Drive, around two blocks east of Beachwood Drive, just off Franklin Avenue. This location is friendly because it offers restrooms, sidewalks, and free parking lots.
Another of the official routes’ option is to begin at Griffith Observatory. This route is much longer, but it can be a convenient choice if you are already visiting the observatory or relying on public transport.
Just to be clear: no hikes take you right up to the letters themselves. The signs are fenced, contrary to what the movies might sometimes depict, and monitored by security cameras around the clock, with police officials stationed nearby. The trails take you to the Mount Lee summit directly above and behind the signs, providing you with a view of the famous letters and the city beyond.
How long is the Hike - Hollywood sign Trails Lengths
As with most hikes, you can choose trails of various lengths. Here are some of your options:
Route | Length (Round Trip) | Duration * | Elevation Gain | Start Point | End Point | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Burbank Peak Trail | ~3 miles | ~1.5 - 2 hours | ~875 ft | Lake Hollywood Drive (Wonder View Trailhead) | Behind the Hollywood Sign (Mount Lee summit area) | Shortest and steepest. Rugged single‑track over Cahuenga Peak. |
Innsdale Drive | ~4.6 miles | ~2 - 2.5 hours | ~750 ft | Innsdale Drive (Hollywood Hills) | Moderate walk. No parking, so extra walking may be required. Highly photogenic perspective of the sign. | |
Mount Hollywood Trail | ~5.3 miles | ~2.5 hours | ~1,000 ft | Charlie Turner Trailhead (North Griffith Park) | Steady moderate climb via fire roads. Approaches the sign from the east and completely bypasses the busy Griffith Observatory. | |
Brush Canyon Trail | ~6.4 miles | ~3 - 3.5 hours | ~1,050 ft | Brush Canyon Trailhead (Canyon Drive) | Mostly wide fire roads with a smooth, consistent grade. Final mile on paved Mount Lee Drive. | |
Griffith Observatory (Skipping Mount Hollywood Summit **) | ~7.6 miles | ~3.5 - 4.5 hours | ~1,400 ft | Griffith Observatory | Removes the 1.2‑mile summit spur by staying on lower fire roads. Still a long but accessible route. | |
Griffith Observatory via Mount Hollywood (Full) | ~8.8 miles | ~4 - 5 hours | ~1,600 ft | Griffith Observatory | Longest option. Easiest to access without a car via public transit (DASH bus). Bags both Mount Hollywood and Mount Lee summits. |
* The Duration time ranges in the table are based on typical hiker experience, which usually assumes:
A moderate pace (not racing, not strolling)
Short breaks at viewpoints
Photo stops at major overlooks
A few minutes at the Hollywood Sign viewpoint
Occasional pauses on steeper sections
These are not “pure walking times”. They’re realistic, real‑world estimates.
The durations do not assume:
Long rest breaks
Extended photo sessions
Sitting at the summit for 20 - 30 minutes
Stopping for food
Very slow walking pace
If someone takes leisurely breaks or spends time at multiple viewpoints, the total outing can easily stretch an extra 30 - 60 minutes beyond the listed ranges.
** Mount Hollywood Summit: where is it, relative to the Hollywood Sign:
Position: Mount Hollywood sits east of the Hollywood Sign, across the canyon in Griffith Park.
Distance: The summit is roughly 1 mile (as the crow flies) from the sign, though separated by a deep ravine.
View: From the summit, you see the front of the Hollywood Sign, but from a distant, wide-angle perspective - not close-up.
Elevation: Mount Hollywood is higher than Mount Lee (where the sign sits), so you get a sweeping view of the entire Los Angeles Basin with the sign visible off to the west.
In practical terms:
The Mount Hollywood summit is a scenic viewpoint, not part of the direct approach to the sign.
Hikers often add it as a bonus summit because it offers one of the best panoramic views in Griffith Park.
Skipping it simply removes the short spur trail that leads to this viewpoint.
Think about which of these options is best for you before you travel. If you are taking a car with you, be careful on busy days (such as weekends and public holidays), as parking facilities can fill up quickly.
Estimating your Hike Time
Hike times vary depending on the route you take. Generally speaking, tour guides recommend budgeting 30 minutes per mile on the way up and 20 minutes per mile on the way down.
With these, you can calculate the total time it will take you to do the hike based on the route you want to take. Most routes are there-and-back routes, so all you need to do is multiply the time it takes to get there by 0.66 to provide you with the time it will take to get back to your vehicle or your starting point.
For example, let's say you want to take the Brush Canyon Trail. It's 3.2 miles either way, implying a total hike of roughly 1 hour and 35 minutes on the way up and 1 hour down, for a total time of around 2 hours and 35 minutes of walking.
To calculate how long the hike will take as a whole (not just the walking phase), include a bit of extra time in your budget. For example:
Parking on Canyon Drive on a Saturday can take a while as you search for a spot.
If you stop for photos or at the top of the hill overlooking the Hollywood sign to enjoy the views, add another 15 minutes to half an hour.
Factor in the weather. If you hike in July, the heat can sometimes slow you down.
Best Times to start the Hike
Interestingly, the best time to start a hike to the Hollywood sign is bookended by local rules in the area. Griffith Park's authorized trails are open from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year, so you can't hike in the dark. The park itself also has a curfew between 10:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., so avoid using it during these hours.
Given these rules, the best time to start a hike is early morning. Most organized hikers begin their journeys around 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, when the air is cool, getting to an uncrowded summit by mid-morning.
Arriving early is even more important on a weekend. By 9 a.m. the trail is busy and the parking lots in the area are often full.
If you are fit and can walk fast, starting your hike in the late afternoon is another option. But remember that the vehicle gates at the Brush Canyon Trailhead close at sunset, so you will need to be back before it gets dark. If you don't, your vehicle may be locked inside the parking area until morning.
What to bring on your Hike
Always make sure you have the proper equipment before your hike. As with any long-distance hike on foot, you'll need plenty of supplies and the right gear.
Make sure you have:
A bottle of water
Some dense, high-calorie snacks
A backpack
Walking sticks if you need them
Energy drinks
A hat and sunscreen for sunny weather
Appropriate footwear:
The type of footwear you require will depend on the trail you take. Trainers are okay for Brush Canyon’s fire road, but if you are going by the Burbank Peak route, you'll want some proper hiking shoes.
Navigating the Trail Safely
Generally speaking, the trails up to the Hollywood sign are generally safe, but you can still lose the trail and go off track.
For the Brush Canyon route, follow the trailhead and the dirt road north up the canyon, steadily climbing to the overlook at 1.25 mi. When you reach this point, turn left onto Mulholland Fire Road and head west, keeping the sign in intermittent view to your left. When you see the old Hollyridge Trail, bear right and then follow Mount Lee Drive's paved switchbacks to the summit for about 3.2 miles.
When traveling on any trail, make sure you stay on authorized paths only. Avoid taking any shortcuts across the hillside, since this is illegal and a fire risk.
Don't attempt to touch the letters because they are protected by a security fence with stationed officers nearby, watching cameras looking for trespassers. Trespassing on signs is an offence and one could be charged.
Before setting off, download an offline map of the area so you know exactly where you are at any time. Don't rely on internet connectivity, because it can be patchy on the trails and even at the trailhead.
Remember that you can turn around and go back the way you came at any time. Many routes converge on the sign from different angles, so you can still get photography opportunities without needing to go all the way to the summit.
After the Hike: What to do next
Once you finish your hike, you are already in a good area of town to access numerous attractions.
For example, if you take the Brush Canyon Trailhead, you can go around a quarter of a mile and already be at the Bronson Caves, which are famous for being a quarry tunnel that served as the back cave in the 1960 television series.
If you are looking for something flatter, you can visit Lake Hollywood Reservoir. This has a paved 3.5-mile loop that does not involve any climbing at all and yet provides you with a close-up view of the Hollywood sign.
Finally, the Griffith Observatory is the obvious stop for anybody who's interested in astronomy. The venue is free to enter, and it's well worth visiting late afternoon and evening.
So, there you have it: our full roundup of how long it takes to hike the Hollywood sign, the equipment you need to take with you, the best times to start and how to navigate the trail safely. Enjoy your trip!
Comments