01
Best overall pick
Stough Canyon Nature Center & Verdugo Peak Trail
Burbank Hills Above Walnut Avenue • Fire Road Climb With Spur Singletrack And Big City Views • Classic Burbank Workout Hike
A sustained climb from a neighborhood trailhead up the Verdugo front range, with wide views over Burbank, the Hollywood Hills, and on clear days the ocean.
Starting from the Stough Canyon Nature Center, this route follows a steady fire road up into the Verdugos, with options to branch onto steeper singletrack and push all the way to Verdugo Peak. Locals use it as a reliable conditioning hike: it’s close to town, mostly exposed, and gets your heart rate up fast. Aim for early morning or late afternoon to beat the heat and catch the best light over the valley.
02
Best close-to-town escape
Wildwood Canyon Park
North Burbank At The Base Of The Verdugos • Steep Canyon Park With Short But Punchy Trails • Quick Climb With Big Payoff
A compact canyon park where short, steep trails rocket you up to ridgeline views without leaving Burbank city limits.
Wildwood Canyon is where Burbank hikers go when they want a real climb but don’t have all day. The switchbacks out of the canyon are steep from the start, quickly delivering you to open ridges with sweeping views over the studios and airport. Benches at key viewpoints make it a good spot to pause, catch your breath, and watch the light change over the valley below.
03
Most iconic nearby hike
Griffith Park – Old Zoo & Bee Rock Loop
Griffith Park North Side Near Burbank • Urban-Wild Loop Mixing Historic Ruins And Ridge Vistas • Best Mix Of Scenery And Variety
A looping route from the Old Zoo area that blends quirky abandoned enclosures, shady canyon stretches, and a short climb to Bee Rock’s rocky overlook.
From Burbank, it’s a quick drive over to the north side of Griffith Park, where the Old Zoo ruins give this hike a bit of L.A. history to go with the views. The loop can be tailored shorter or longer, but even the moderate version includes a mix of shaded trail, open hillsides, and a short, steeper push up to Bee Rock. It’s a great choice if you want something more varied than a straight fire road climb without driving deep into the mountains.
04
Best for a steady ridge climb
Brand Park & Verdugo Motorway Trail
North Glendale Just Southeast Of Burbank • Historic Park Leading To Long, Open Ridgeline Fire Road • Endurance Training Favorite
A sustained climb from the lawns of Brand Park up to the Verdugo Motorway, rewarding persistence with long stretches of ridge walking and valley panoramas.
Just over the hill from Burbank, Brand Park offers a civilized trailhead with parking, lawns, and the landmark Brand Library before you hit the dirt. The route wastes little time gaining elevation, then settles into a long, gradual climb along the Verdugo ridgeline that’s ideal for hikers building distance and elevation. On clear days you can see across the San Fernando Valley one way and toward downtown Los Angeles the other.
05
Most rugged escape
La Tuna Canyon Park
La Tuna Canyon Between Sun Valley And Tujunga • Chaparral Canyon And Ridge Trails With A Wilder Feel • Best For A Semi-Backcountry Vibe
A nearby canyon system with narrower singletrack and fewer crowds, giving Burbank hikers a taste of wilder terrain without a long drive.
La Tuna Canyon sits just north of Burbank off the freeway, but once you’re on the trail it feels surprisingly removed from the city. The main routes climb quickly out of the canyon onto rolling ridges, with plenty of classic Southern California chaparral and open sky. It’s more exposed and a bit rougher underfoot than the in-town options, so bring extra water and be ready for sun, but the sense of space is worth it.