What a Hollywood Sign hike really is
The sign stands on Mount Lee in Griffith Park. There is no public path to the letters, and the legal hikes end above or behind the fence. A Hollywood Sign hike is therefore a walk to a view, not a walk to the sign itself. Viewing costs $0, and nobody sells an entry ticket.
The letters and the area around them are watched around the clock by police, fire crews and park rangers. A booked guide does not change that boundary, so a guided walk, such as the ones in our overview of Hollywood Sign tours, ends at the same viewpoints as a walk on your own.
Hollywood Sign hike routes compared
Distances are round trip. They are route variants, not surveyed values, so expect small differences on your own device.
| Route | Distance | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. Hollywood Trail | 5.3 mi / 8.5 km | 2 h 28 min | Not the same as the Observatory to sign hike below |
| Brush Canyon Trail | 6 mi / 9.7 km, or about 6.4 mi / 10.3 km | 2 h 45 min to 3 hours | About 1,050 ft / 320 m of climbing in the longer description |
| Cahuenga Peak Trail | 3 mi / 4.8 km | 1 h 45 min | Rated hard, rocky ridge instead of a wide road |
| Innsdale, Mulholland, Mt. Lee Drive | 4.6 mi / 7.4 km | 2 to 2.5 hours | About 750 ft / 229 m of climbing |
| Griffith Observatory to the sign | 8.8 mi / 14.2 km | More than 4 hours | Long day, total climb not measured |
For most first-time visitors, Brush Canyon or the Mt. Hollywood Trail is the practical choice: about 2.5 to 3 hours with views of the sign. The Cahuenga Peak Trail suits experienced hikers, and the Observatory route is for people who want a whole day on foot.
Our picks: guided sign hikes
Our take: the front-and-back hike covers both views; the comedy walk adds photos; the 90-minute walk is the shortest.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Hollywood Sign hike to the front and back views
- Local guide
- Front and back viewpoints
- Water
Two and a half hours on the trails with a local guide, to viewpoints in front of and behind the sign.
Check availability →
90-minute Hollywood Sign photo walk
- Guide
- Front view of the sign
- Photo stops
A shorter guided walk to the front view of the sign with photo stops.
Check availability →
Hollywood Sign walk with comedians and dogs
- Photos
- Comedy commentary
- Water
A light-hearted guided walk to the sign views, with photos taken for you and water.
Check availability →Hollywood Sign tours and hikes
Guided hikes, van trips and bus tours with views of the sign, with live prices and availability.
The main trailheads
Start points and what to expect there.
Brush Canyon
The trailhead is at 3200 Canyon Drive, with parking areas nearby. Do not confuse Canyon Drive with Canyon Lake Drive, where Lake Hollywood Park lies.
Wonder View and Cahuenga
This route uses the Burbank Peak Trail and then the Aileen Getty Ridge Trail over Cahuenga Peak, joining Mt. Lee Drive. The rocky steps near the top need steady footing. There is no parking at the trailhead or on upper Wonder View Drive, so people walk in from Lake Hollywood Drive. Read the street signs.
Mt. Lee Drive
This paved road is the last stretch behind the letters. It is not open to visitor cars. The route from Innsdale over Mulholland to Mt. Lee Drive counts as one route, not Mt. Lee Drive alone.
Beachwood Drive
The public entrance at the top of Beachwood Drive has been closed by court order since April 2017. Do not plan a hike from there. A riding stable on Beachwood Drive is a private business, and its grounds are not a public way to the trails.
Trail hours and rules
What applies in Griffith Park.
Daylight only
The marked trails are open between sunrise and sunset. General park hours are 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Those are park hours, not permission to hike after dark, so plan to be back before sunset.
On the trail
No open fires, no alcohol, no smoking, and no bicycles on the trails. Keep dogs on a leash, do not feed wildlife, stay on marked paths and give horses the right of way. Plants and animals are protected.
Heat and fire
Carry water. The ground gets hot for dogs, and fire danger is high in dry weather. The January 2025 fires showed that the risk does not stay in summer. Check current park notices before you go, because open trails are never guaranteed. See the best time to visit for seasonal weather.
No access to the letters
Going past the barriers is illegal, and the area is monitored. Do not follow a path that leads through a fence, whatever a map app shows.
More ways to see the sign
If the trail is too long or too hot.
Hollywood Sign hike: frequently asked questions
Can you hike up to the Hollywood Sign?
You can hike to viewpoints above and behind the sign, but not to the letters. Touching or approaching them is not allowed, and the area is watched day and night.
How long is the Hollywood Sign hike?
It depends on the route. Round trips run from 3 miles (4.8 km) on the Cahuenga Peak Trail to 8.8 miles (14.2 km) from the Observatory. Most visitors need 2.5 to 3 hours for Brush Canyon or the Mt. Hollywood Trail.
Can I hike at night or at sunrise?
Sunrise to sunset is the window for the marked trails. Sunrise is allowed, but a night hike is not, even though the park stays open later.
Do guided hikes get closer to the sign?
No. A guide does not open the restricted area. A guided hike gives you company and route knowledge, and it ends at the same viewpoints.
Is this the official Hollywood Sign website?
No. This is an independent travel guide and is not connected to the Hollywood Sign Trust, the city or any tour operator. Check the park notices before you go.