Amid the celebrity sightings and notorious traffic, many visitors to Los Angeles miss the chance to explore the natural landscapes that form the backdrop to the city’s glamour. Trevor Morrow, a Los Angeles resident, guide and founder of The Los Angeles Hiking Company, aims to change that. He leads visitors on hikes through the winding trails of Griffith Park near the Griffith Observatory, sharing stories, history and local insights along the way. We met Morrow on a bright Los Angeles day and followed him up the path toward the observatory.
Global Traveler: Your hikes weave in a lot of local history and insider details. How does getting into the hills change a visitor’s sense of Los Angeles?
Trevor Morrow: When I travel, I try to learn some of a place’s history—either before I arrive or by joining a tour once I get there. Even a brief overview or a few intriguing, lesser-known facts helps me feel connected and grounded. That connection changes how you experience the city. My goal with hiking tours is to give people that perspective quickly, so they can orient themselves and enjoy Los Angeles with more confidence. I often recommend making a hike one of the first things you do after arriving.
GT: This path feels steeper than it looked from the parking lot.
Morrow: Getting into the hills is one of the best ways to develop a sense of place here. From a mountaintop you can grasp the scale of Los Angeles, locate neighborhoods and attractions, and understand how the city fits together. I like to describe a hike with The Los Angeles Hiking Company as both a literal and figurative overview: you get a bird’s-eye view from the ridge while I provide context, tips and recommendations to make the rest of your visit more rewarding.
GT: Do you have a favorite route or a preferred season for hiking?
Morrow: Griffith Park spans five times the size of Central Park and offers about 53 miles of trails, so there’s truly something for everyone. My favorite—and the one I usually guide guests on—is the Mt. Hollywood Trail, which runs from the Griffith Observatory to the summit of Mt. Hollywood. On my tours I include a short, lesser-known diversion off the main path that makes for excellent photos.
This trail is ideal for a range of abilities. For experienced hikers it’s a satisfying route, and for casual walkers it provides a solid workout and a real sense of accomplishment. The main draw, though, is the view: the trail offers spectacular panoramas of the Hollywood Hills, the Hollywood Sign, the Downtown skyline, the Griffith Observatory and much of Los Angeles. For a hike with a view, it’s hard to beat.
GT: I see a bit of cloud. Should we expect rain on the way down? I didn’t bring an umbrella.
Morrow: Los Angeles enjoys mild weather most of the year, so it’s usually comfortable to hike in shorts and a T-shirt whether it’s January or July. If I had to pick a favorite season, I’d choose late winter into spring—after winter rains the hills turn green and look their best, making hikes particularly scenic.