Stough Canyon is one of the least crowded hiking areas with gorgeous views of Los Angeles.
Last updated: March 18, 2025
Hiking in Los Angeles with a View
Like every great story, our little tale starts with an ordinary act in an ordinary place. The place is Stough Canyon, a large recreational area in the Verdugo Mountains in Burbank. The activity? Hiking, which is probably one of the most favorite ways to stay fit and healthy in the Greater Los Angeles Area.
The trails in Stough Canyon range from less than a mile to a few miles, with a considerable incline that will make your heart pump faster.
We hike in the Verdugo Mountains from time to time. And until this particular hike we thought that we knew enough about Stough Canyon. It is, in short, a secluded hiking place with exceptional views of Los Angeles.
As it turned out, we didn’t know Stough Canyon sufficiently enough. A little deviation from our regular hiking route opened up a whole new realm of visual indulgence.
Mind you, we didn’t spot any big or medium-sized cats that some hikers report seeing. But the different vantage points of the San Fernando Valley and towering peaks of downtown Los Angeles were something to brag about.
The moral of the story, go off the beaten path more often. You will be surprised what you can find at the next trail intersection or just 200 feet ahead of the point where you usually stop.
Hiking in Stough Canyon
If you read this far, thank you! And I know you are looking for some facts and inspiration for your own hiking adventure in the Verdugo Mountains. So, let’s dive in.
The Stough Canyon area is one of our favorite hiking places to enjoy serenity and city views. There are still some people on the trails. Yet even for a small town, let alone the busting Los Angeles area, it could be considered a less-trodden site.
The canyon is located in the Verdugo Mountains, on the outskirts of the city of Burbank. Although officially a separate city, without any defined borders that mark the end of one city and the beginning of the other, many view Burbank as a neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Stough Canyon is a true hidden gem of the area. It boasts a small nature center and several hiking trails. The paths range from less than a mile to 3 miles.
The View
Our go-to route up to recently was a steep adventure up the mountainside to The View. The vantage point is located about 0.6 mile from the trailhead, to the right of the Stough Canyon Nature Center.
After several switchbacks, the trail comes across the first intersection. Follow the left fork (off the main trail) to reach The View. This section of the trail is just a few hundred feet long and ends at a promontory that overlooks Burbank and the surrounding Verdugo Mountains and offers distant views of downtown LA.
TIP: Even more dramatic vistas open up farther up along the main trail. As you ascend, make sure to stop frequently and look back. With the mountains covering most of the valley at this point, the Los Angeles skyline looks like a framed painting.
Trails in Stough Canyon
- The View: 0.6 mile
- Old Youth Campground: 0.9 mile
- The Saddle: 0.9 mile
- Picnic Table at Vista: 1.4 miles
- Radio Towers: 3.1 miles
Difficulty: All trails are moderately challenging.
Read More
- SEASONAL HIKES: Top Scenic Hikes in Los Angeles for All Seasons
- LA HIKE: Hiking in Los Angeles: Wildwood Regional Park
- OUTDOOR CLIMBING: Stoney Point Park: Rock Climbing with a View
