13 Peaceful Trails Near LA For The Ultimate Backpacking Escape
Think LA is all traffic, smog, and celebrity sightings? Think again. Just a short drive from the city’s hustle, Southern California’s wild side quietly calls to those craving solitude, fresh air, and panoramic views you won’t find on Hollywood Boulevard.
Tucked between canyon walls and beneath towering oaks are trails that feel worlds away from the chaos. You might hear birdsong instead of honking horns or stumble across hidden waterfalls instead of souvenir shops. I’ve found some of my favorite hiking spots here—places where time slows down and nature takes center stage.
Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or just dipping your toes into trail life, these hidden hikes will reset your soul. Ready to trade palm trees for pines?
1. Bridge to Nowhere Trail
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to cross a bridge that leads absolutely nowhere, this trail delivers exactly that surreal experience. The 10-mile round trip takes you through the San Gabriel Mountains to an abandoned concrete bridge built in the 1930s.
How did this architectural oddity end up in the middle of nowhere? Originally part of a planned highway that never materialized, the bridge now serves as a fascinating destination for adventurous hikers.
Though the journey requires river crossings and some scrambling over boulders, reaching this concrete monument feels like discovering a piece of forgotten history hidden in plain sight.
2. Mount Baldy via Ski Hut Trail
Are you ready to tackle Southern California’s highest peak without the crowds? The Ski Hut Trail offers a challenging yet rewarding 11-mile journey to Mount Baldy’s 10,064-foot summit.
Starting from Manker Flats, you’ll pass the historic Ski Hut before ascending through alpine terrain that feels more like Colorado than California. The trail rewards determined hikers with panoramic views stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Mojave Desert.
When snow blankets the peak in winter, this becomes an entirely different adventure requiring microspikes or crampons, transforming your typical SoCal hike into a mountaineering experience.
3. Switzer Falls via Gabrielino Trail
Hidden within the Angeles National Forest, Switzer Falls offers a refreshing oasis that feels worlds away from LA’s heat and hustle. This 4.5-mile round trip follows the historic Gabrielino Trail through shaded canyons and alongside babbling creeks.
What makes this destination special isn’t just the 50-foot waterfall itself, but the journey through remnants of old resort cabins from the early 1900s. You’ll discover stone foundations and rusty artifacts that tell stories of a bygone era.
During spring months, wildflowers carpet the canyon floor while the waterfall runs at its most impressive volume, creating perfect conditions for both photography and peaceful contemplation.
4. Cucamonga Peak Trail
Though reaching Cucamonga Peak’s 8,859-foot summit requires serious commitment, the 12-mile round trip journey rewards hikers with some of the most spectacular views in Southern California. The trail climbs steadily through chaparral and pine forests before emerging onto exposed ridgelines.
Did you know this peak was named by Native Americans and means “sandy place”? The summit offers 360-degree views spanning from downtown LA to the San Bernardino Mountains and beyond.
It’s worth noting that this challenging hike gains over 4,300 feet in elevation, making it perfect for experienced backpackers looking to test their endurance while escaping city life completely.
5. Cooper Canyon Falls
When you’re craving a moderate adventure that delivers maximum payoff, Cooper Canyon Falls provides the perfect balance of accessibility and natural beauty. This 3-mile round trip leads to a stunning 35-foot waterfall tucked away in a granite amphitheater.
How does this hidden gem remain relatively unknown despite its proximity to LA? The trailhead’s location near Wrightwood keeps it off most hikers’ radar, meaning you’ll often have this spectacular cascade to yourself.
Spring snowmelt creates the most dramatic water flow, while autumn offers comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds, making either season ideal for a peaceful backpacking escape from urban chaos.
6. San Antonio Falls via Baldy Road
Are you seeking a short but sweet adventure that packs a visual punch? San Antonio Falls delivers exactly that with its impressive 80-foot cascade accessed via a relatively easy 1.5-mile round trip hike.
Starting from the Mount Baldy Road, this trail offers one of the most accessible waterfall experiences in the San Gabriel Mountains. The path winds through pine and oak forests before revealing the dramatic falls plunging down a sheer granite face.
Hence its popularity among families and casual hikers, but don’t let that fool you – the surrounding wilderness provides ample opportunities for solitude and reflection away from everyday stresses.
7. Icehouse Canyon to Icehouse Saddle
Where else can you experience such dramatic elevation gain while surrounded by towering pines and granite peaks? Icehouse Canyon Trail offers a challenging 7.5-mile round trip that climbs nearly 2,600 feet to reach the scenic Icehouse Saddle.
This trail serves as a gateway to multiple peaks including Ontario and Bighorn, but the saddle itself provides stunning panoramic views without requiring technical climbing skills. The well-maintained path follows a year-round creek through dense forest.
Though the steady climb tests your endurance, shaded sections and creek crossings provide natural rest stops, while the destination offers sweeping vistas that make every step worthwhile.
8. Devil’s Punchbowl Loop Trail
If you’ve never witnessed the raw power of geological forces, Devil’s Punchbowl will change your perspective entirely. This 1-mile loop trail showcases some of California’s most dramatic rock formations, created by the San Andreas Fault over millions of years.
What makes this destination truly special is how the tilted sandstone slabs create an otherworldly landscape that feels more like Mars than Southern California. The easy trail allows visitors of all skill levels to explore this geological wonderland.
During wildflower season, poppies and lupines add brilliant color to the stark desert scenery, while the short distance makes this perfect for a quick escape or warm-up hike.
9. Eaton Canyon Falls
It’s hard to believe such a beautiful waterfall exists just minutes from Pasadena’s suburban sprawl. Eaton Canyon Falls rewards hikers with a 40-foot cascade after a moderate 3.5-mile round trip through riparian woodland and chaparral.
How has this trail maintained its natural beauty despite heavy use? Regular maintenance and restoration efforts keep the ecosystem healthy while providing clear trail markers for safe navigation through several stream crossings.
When winter rains fill the canyon, the waterfall reaches peak flow, creating a thunderous display that echoes off surrounding canyon walls and provides the perfect soundtrack for peaceful contemplation.
10. Millard Canyon Falls
Did you know that one of LA’s most accessible waterfalls remains surprisingly uncrowded? Millard Canyon Falls offers a quick 1.2-mile round trip to a charming 50-foot waterfall tucked into a narrow granite canyon.
The trail begins in Altadena and follows a well-defined path through oak and sycamore groves before reaching the falls’ natural amphitheater. Multiple pools below the cascade provide perfect spots for photography or quiet reflection.
Though the hike is short, the canyon’s cool microclimate and flowing water create a refreshing escape that feels completely removed from the surrounding urban environment, making it ideal for quick nature fixes.
11. Mount Wilson via Chantry Flats
Are you ready for a classic Southern California adventure that combines natural beauty with fascinating history? The Mount Wilson Trail from Chantry Flats offers a challenging 14-mile round trip to the famous observatory summit.
This historic route, built in the 1860s, climbs over 4,500 feet through diverse ecosystems ranging from oak woodlands to pine forests. The summit houses the Mount Wilson Observatory, where Edwin Hubble made groundbreaking astronomical discoveries.
Hence its reputation as one of LA’s most demanding day hikes, but the combination of physical challenge, historical significance, and panoramic views creates an unforgettable backpacking experience for serious adventurers.
12. Fish Canyon Falls
When you discover Fish Canyon Falls, you’ll understand why many consider it the crown jewel of Southern California waterfalls. This spectacular 80-foot cascade requires a moderate 4.5-mile round trip through one of the region’s most pristine canyons.
What sets this waterfall apart from others is its three-tiered structure and the lush vegetation surrounding it, creating a tropical oasis feeling that seems impossible in semi-arid Southern California.
Though accessing the trailhead requires advance reservations due to its location within a watershed area, the extra planning effort pays off with an incredibly peaceful experience in one of LA’s most beautiful hidden valleys.
13. Henninger Flats via Mount Wilson Trail
If you’re looking for a destination that combines natural beauty with educational opportunities, Henninger Flats provides exactly that unique combination. This 5-mile round trip leads to a historic tree nursery and research station perched on a scenic mountain plateau.
How did this facility end up in such a remote location? Established in 1928, the nursery has grown millions of trees for reforestation projects throughout Southern California, making it both historically significant and environmentally important.
Are you interested in learning about forest management while enjoying mountain views? The interpretive displays and peaceful picnic areas make this trail perfect for combining outdoor adventure with environmental education.