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The Brush Canyon Trail Reviews

Submitted by Rich KR on 03/16/2022

Rich KR 5 stars rating.

Overall Rating

Easy and scenic Hiking Trial to Hollywood sign as well as Griffith Park. Along the hike , we have the opportunity to admire the panorama of Los Angeles that unfolds with every step. This trail can be recommended to anyone regardless of experience.

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katze Lo 1 stars rating.

If you would like to take a risk is ok. The trail is amazing but you have to be aware where you park the car. Yesterday I parked my car in the parking lot close to the trail and I got the car with a broken window and my personal Items gone. Apparently is better go early morning. Even though I won’t come back.

Submitted by Katze Lo on 05/01/2022

Kunal Dhabalia 5 stars rating.

Great hike! Bring lots of water, you will need it..

Submitted by Kunal Dhabalia on 04/30/2022

Stuart Green 5 stars rating.

5.5mi | Easy | 1,145ft - Brush Canyon Trail is a wide, flat trail with gentle elevation gain, providing increasingly impressive Southerly views of Los Angeles and the surrounding area. Head right at the junction with the paved Mount Lee Drive and continue upward to the summit along the Northern flanks of the mountain.

You can often find yourself sharing the trail with horse riders taking a tour offered by the Sunset Ranch Hollywood. I even spotted a couple of coyotes on my morning hike up Brush Canyon.

The trailhead is just north of two parking lots - one large, and another smaller one a little further up the road. Be mindful however that the popularity of this trail means that the lots can fill up quickly - particularly at weekends.

The hike will lead you behind the Hollywood sign and to the top of Mount Lee. The sign itself is fenced off and under video surveillance but there are plenty of opportunities for mostly fence-free photography. Also check out the Hugh Hefner Overlook just off the junction with Wonder View Trail. Hefner was a strong supporter for conservation of the Hollywood sign and hills.

Mount Chapel Side-Trip: Returning along the narrow Mount Chapel trail is actually a shortcut when compared to the Brush Canyon Out & Back. You could also save some elevation gain by circumnavigating Mount Chapel with a use of a bypass trail on the Southern flank. Reaching the summit of Mount Chapel requires a little rock scrambling, and descending back to the Brush Canyon Trail can be a bit steep but nothing someone of average fitness wouldn't be able to handle.

Sign Lookout Side-Trip: There's a great photo-op in front of the Hollywood sign near the Mount Lee Trailhead if you're prepared to hike an additional mile. Where Brush Canyon Trail meets Mount Lee Drive, turn left downhill and proceed to a gate. Don't go through the gate, but head back uphill to your right and you'll reach the lookout point.

Bat Cave Side-Trip An extra side-trip marked on our map and located near the Brush Canyon trailhead is the ½ mile round-trip hike to Bronson Caves, which was the filming location of the Bat Cave from the 1960's Batman TV show. When we were there the caves were covered by construction fences, but we're still glad we got to see it.

Submitted by Stuart Green on 03/14/2022

Luis Baylon 5 stars rating.

Excellent location for a morning hike, this trail has several routes, the two most popular being the Hollywood sign and the Griffith Observatory, we did the Hollywood sign one but there are two routes you can take, one to the top behind the letters and on below for the classic photo in front of them. If you do both its about a 6-6.5 mile hike, just the beginning is somewhat difficult but overall pretty simple

Submitted by Luis Baylon on 02/23/2022

Greg Backstrom 4 stars rating.

2.5 hrs out and back to the viewpoint just below the Hollywood sign. Nice views of the city along the way. Not much shade. Dogs allowed on leash. Lots of people.

Submitted by Greg Backstrom on 01/01/2022

Tricia Avenido 5 stars rating.

I was looking for the best way to get to the back side of the Hollywood sign and in my opinion this is it.

First of all parking wasn't an issue because there are 2 lots before the trailhead. There's a bigger parking lot at Tai Chi Chuan - Bronson Park and a smaller parking lot closer to the gate for the trail itself. Since we went around 8am on a Thursday, we were able to get into the smaller lot closest to the trailhead.

Another thing we avoided was annoying the residents who live near the Hollywood sign. Residents on Beachwood Dr. have been known to complain about tourists, and both The Hollywood Sign Trail and Wonder View Trailhead still go into residential areas even if you do park near Lake Hollywood Park.

The Brush Canyon Trail itself is a long, steep climb up to the Hollywood sign, but the path is wide, you're surrounded by nature, and the views are amazing.

To get to the back of the Hollywood sign you go up the Brush Canyon Trail, turn left onto the Mulholland Trail, then turn right onto Mt. Lee Dr. which will then wrap around itself so that you can see the back of the Hollywood sign. Just make sure to go up the dirt hill behind the Hollywood sign so that you can get a view of the sign above the chain link fencing.

I've read other reviewers say this already, but I'll just say it again: Wear good hiking shoes and bring a lot of water.

My friends and I were lucky enough to go on a day that was cool and overcast, but even then we were pouring sweat and needed to take breaks to drink water because it is such a steep climb. Going back down was way easier, but even though it's steep and takes a long time, I thought it was worth it.

Submitted by Tricia Avenido on 10/07/2021

Bee’s Adventures 5 stars rating.

Took a small hike there and walked up on then trail rocks it was a good workout
I never knew there was a cave it was closed I don’t know for how long .

Submitted by Bee’s Adventures on 09/01/2021

Carlo N. 5 stars rating.

Most people want the easy way. I want to struggle so I know I deserve it. Without further ado let’s do this lovey review. (Brit Accent) Hollywood Sign is the most coveted landmark in LA where tourist and locals visit every day. If you want to hike to the HS, there are three routes from easy to difficult: Mt Hollywood Trail, the Brush Canyon Trail and the Cahuenga Peak Trail. Today, I hiked the Brush Canyon Trail, it’s considered a moderate trail by hikers. The BCT, part of Griffith Park, is a 6.5 mile (out and back) trail to the Sign climbs over 1,000 feet with very little to no tree shades. The trail starts at the end of Canyon Drive which can be accessed from Franklin Avenue. Furthermore, the trail is wide enough to offer you sensational views of the city. This trail is well kept with trash cans at regular intervals. However, one thing that annoyed me was the horse manure on some section of the trail. BCT is dog friendly as long as they’re on a leash. Free Parking (lots A & B) are available. Tip is to bring plenty of water and SPF50 sunscreen. Overall, I enjoyed my hike and the city views it offered. I highly recommend this trail.

Submitted by Carlo N. on 08/17/2021