Urban hiking is one of those activities that sounds contradictory until you actually try it — then you wonder why you ever drove out of the city just to walk uphill. The best urban trails deliver real elevation gain, sweeping skyline views, and enough nature to forget you’re a 10-minute rideshare from a coffee shop.
These trails exist in cities all over the country, and they’re far more rewarding than most people realize. Here is a list of 15 of the best urban hiking trails the US has to offer, from coast to coast.
Runyon Canyon, Los Angeles
Runyon Canyon is a 160-acre park sitting right in the middle of Hollywood, and it’s been a local obsession for years. The upper trail climbs to nearly 1,600 feet and rewards hikers with a panoramic view that includes the Hollywood Sign, the Griffith Observatory, and on a clear day, the Pacific Ocean.
It’s dog-friendly too, which makes it even more of an LA institution.
Mission Trails Regional Park, San Diego
At more than 8,000 acres, Mission Trails is one of the largest urban parks in the entire country — bigger than many state parks people actually drive hours to visit. The trail to Cowles Mountain, San Diego’s highest point at 1,591 feet, is about 3 miles round trip and consistently delivers ocean and city views that justify every step of the climb…