An Easy Hike to Griffith Observatory from Fern Dell
The Griffith Observatory is an iconic observatory and museum in Los Angeles, situated on a bluff of Mount Hollywood. The observatory in itself is well worth the visit, but from it, you can also see sweeping views of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, the Hollywood Sign, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. It really is a gorgeous viewpoint.
You can drive up to the observatory, but I really recommend hiking. There are a few trails that will take you to Griffith Observatory, but I really enjoyed, and highly recommend, the Fern Dell trail. This begins at the entrance to Griffith Park and meanders through a forest track before opening up onto wide dirt roads.
What I liked most about this route is how quickly it pulls you out of the city. One minute you’re in Thai Town, and the next the trail opens up and the views start rolling in. It’s a simple, accessible hike that gives you a mix of greenery, city views, and one of LA’s most iconic landmarks at the end.
Griffith Observatory Hike from Fern Dell Logistics
Start/Finish: South entrance to Griffith Park on Los Feliz Blvd.
How to get there: You can park along Fern Dell Drive. Alternatively, Hollywood/Western Station (on the Metro Red Line) is about a 15-minute walk from the trailhead.
Distance: 4.2 km (2.6 miles).
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours.
Elevation Gain: 188 metres
Difficulty: Easy to moderate; the trail is well-marked, but there are some steep sections and almost no shade.
Map of the Hike
The trail is straightforward, but it’s handy to have a map to refer to. You can save the map to your phone on AllTrails for easy navigation. You can also download the GPX file here.
What to expect on the Hike
As you enter Griffith Park from Los Feliz Boulevard, you’ll quickly spot the Fern Dell sign. This will take you through the Fern Dell Nature Trail, which is a short but scenic walk through a forested track. At the end of this track, you’ll arrive at an open area with a playground, toilets, and a cafe. Walk past the playground, and you’ll spot a junction with two wide dirt roads.
Both dirt roads lead to the observatory, and they’re pretty similar in distance and effort, so it really comes down to what kind of walk you prefer. I’d go for the trail on the left — the West Observatory Trail — because it climbs a little quicker, which means you’re rewarded with views much sooner. The right-hand option, the East Observatory Trail, has a steadier incline, but the overall challenge is about the same.
Once you hit the first switchback (assuming you chose the West Observatory Trail), the observatory comes into view.
As you climb higher, you’ll also have views of the Hollywood Sign to your left.
The trail zigzags steadily up the hillside. It’s never technical, but the lack of shade can make it feel very hot. It should be obvious, but I really want to stress bringing sun protection and plenty of water. As you gain height, the city starts to spread out beneath you on your right, and the observatory gets closer with every turn.
Near the top, there’s a small bench tucked to the side of the path. It’s a great spot to catch your breath and take in the view of Los Angeles below. From this point, it’s only a short final climb before you pop out at the back of the observatory.
Once you reach the observatory terrace, take your time wandering around. You’ll be treated to panoramic views across Los Angeles and the surrounding mountains, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to the ocean. It’s a lovely reward after the hike.
To get back down, you can simply follow the same route you walked up.
Quick Tips
Best time to go
Early morning is ideal. The trail has almost no shade once you leave Fern Dell, and temperatures climb fast. Mornings are quieter too, especially on weekends. Sunset is gorgeous, but expect crowds at the top.
Facilities at the observatory
Once you reach the observatory, you’ll find toilets, drinking fountains, a small cafe, and plenty of outdoor seating. The museum exhibits are free, and the viewing terraces wrap all the way around the building.
Parking
Parking at the observatory is limited and expensive, which is why the hike is such a good alternative. If you’re driving to the trailhead, parking along Fern Dell Drive is the easiest option.
What to bring
Water, sunscreen and a hat, trainers or hiking shoes with good grip, and a light layer if you’re hiking early or staying for sunset.
Alternative hikes to/from the observatory
If you want to extend your hike for more views over Griffith Park, I recommend continuing from the observatory to Mount Hollywood (see map here). Or, you could take on the Observatory Trail Extended Loop, a longer circular route that passes above the observatory, and is 3 – 3.5 hours in total.
Crowd levels
The observatory gets busy regardless of how you arrive. Going early or mid-week makes the experience calmer, especially on the terraces.
If you want an easy, scenic hike in Los Angeles that delivers great views without needing to leave the city, this is a brilliant option. I loved exploring Griffith Observatory, but the hike itself was the highlight.
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About The Author
Lauren Pears is a freelance travel writer and blogger who writes about active adventure travel. She’s been blogging for almost 10 years, and has written for publications such as Lonely Planet, World Nomads, and Southeast Asia Backpacker.
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