Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Mandeville Canyon Fire Road

    4.4 (142 reviews)

    Mandeville Canyon Fire Road Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Mandeville Canyon Fire Road

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Ed T.

    Go early in the morning to avoid the heat as the sun starts coming up. This hike took about 2 - 2.5 hours with moderate rest at the top. It is about a 7 mile round trip. The road will split up two ways in some sections; the left side is easier and the right side is harder / steeper. Both trails will still merge and eventually end up going the same way. Entrance is located deep in residential area and parking at the trail is limited to about 10 cars. If there is no parking at the trail, you will need to park on the residential streets and then walk up.

    Mid-April 2023 hike.
    Agatha K.

    Hiked on 4/16/2023. Found street parking close by. Love how dog-friendly this trail is!! So many friendly , cute dogs running off-leash. Beautiful views. Subtle incline. Only downside of this hike = hardly any shade! Would recommend early AM hiking to avoid the heat. Wear a hat & sunscreen.

    Amy M.

    It took me about an hour and a half to get to San Vicente Peak from the start of the trail. From there I walked around the LA96C Nike Missile Control Site. I saw restrooms at San Vicente Peak but the women's restroom was out of order. You can use it but it ain't gonna flush. At the start of the trail something in the air stung my eyes a little. Then I overheard another biker say they spray the dirt trail with phosphate. I'm not sure exactly sure what they use to spray the trail but watch out if you have sensitive eyes. The bikers that go by will kick up a lot of dust in the air so make sure you bring some kind of face covering. There is a lot of dog poop and unleashed dogs. Most dogs are friendly and will walk towards you if they see your water bottle. I saw one man with two dogs who brought no water for himself or his dogs. His poor dogs looked tired and it was a warm day. Please take of your dogs especially on hot days! It's not likely you will find parking in the small lot but there is plenty of street parking.

    Jeff T.

    A 6 mile gravel trail that has scenic views. Right now Spring is just starting to show with yellow and pink wildflowers already sprouting. We went a few days after the rain and there were small areas of mud and a rather strong water current flowing on a neighborhood roadside. The road up to parking is a bit rocky with large potholes

    Views
    Michael G.

    Great trail in the Santa Monica amounts above Brentwood/Santa Monica. Easy to get to and ample parking. Also nice that it's not busy so you have a lot of solitude there. The fire roads go for miles so you have plenty to explore. Also great for a bike or if you just want to get away from the city without having to leave the city. Also a good alternative to Runyon Canyon which is fun but very crowded and sometimes difficult to find parking at. Parking is free here. Enjoy!

    Esther W.

    Came here on a Sunday afternoon and it is really pretty! I definitely felt like I did get a work out in. Nothing here was too steep to scare me. The only problem is that there are a LOT of flies, at least on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The cool thing about this hike is that you can kind of choose your own adventure. We chose an easy hike, but I see there are more trails or destinations we could have taken as it is huge.

    Had planned to chill at Mandeville.
    Lanier D.

    I'm laying here after hiking and I don't know if it's the sun or just taking the more challenging parts of trail but I'm tired... lol This is a nice hike. What I like about it is that it is challenging enough to hike/run without being disappointed that there were no ocean views because of the haze. There is no shade so be sure to stay hydrated or hike closer to sunset. This trail is dog-friendly so be on the lookout since some people some don't pick up after their dogs. The fire road trail is wide and paved in a way that is versatile enough to hike/bike ride and have your dog off-leash. On this particular day it was kind of hazy so I didn't get the clearest views of the ocean but I read that in a clear day you can see to Catalina. Always be aware that not only are there lizards and snakes but also dog poop to watch for. Also know that some of the mountain bikers come down hill quickly so be alert. This was my first time but I found out about it because I wanted a trail that was close enough that I could take the dog with he visits. I like that there is a parking lot but also adequate street parking. Respect the neighborhood and when you visit we shouldn't have to worry about permits when the lot is full. With nice views, a versatile trail and being another gem on the west side I can say that I would recommend this trail for those looking for a little bit of a challenge. Stay hydrated.

    Scenic view of the Los Angeles area.
    Christina Y.

    Went on a hike here on a Saturday afternoon with my sister, cousin, and her dog. We enjoyed the scenery and views of the hills and mountains. Many people were there that day taking walks with their dogs and mountain biking as well. The only thing that I wish people would do more is to pick up after their dogs. While we were hiking up, we saw many piles of dog feces and plastic bags on the side of the trails. It's disrespectful and rude that people would just leave waste on the trails, expecting others or city officials to clean it up. Please, out of common courtesy and respect for the area, pick up after your pets!

    Trace V.

    Finally tried this trail after living in The Palisades for many years and if you like dogs, good views, and a good workout -- GO! It's about 10 minutes North of Mandeville Cyn -- keep going up and up till you hit Golden Road -- or Golden something -- then park. It's a very wide trail / road with lots of hills -- so either come when it's cool or in the morning as it can get hot. I was surprised how close you are to the Valley --as there are great views of Van Nuys airport and beyond. Not the best for Ocean Views -- but on a clear day you can see Downtown LA. Took about 2 hours at a medium pace to do the loop -- which lets you off about 5 min. South of where you parked.

    In the distance you can see Santa Monica, the Pacific, and Catalina Island.  This is about 2/3's of the way from Mulholland Dr.
    Damon D.

    Love riding on this trail/road. If your up near Mulholland you can see both the Westside and Santa Monica and the Pacific. Its a great trail to run, bike, hike. Going south its fun and you can pick up some speed to watch it. Its on the return back to Mulholland that you get your workout. I have only MTB up there on this road and it can be challenging yet not too long if you only do that one trail and back. But I love the feeling of getting way and being miles from everyone but really not being too far away. Just be careful on the decent for people coming up the hill and watching your brakes. Lately LAFD has been grading the fire road so watch out for the grader during the day. They are done usually late afternoon by 5pm. Enjoy our open space and lets keep it that way!

    Viewers at the top of the tower
    Jules B.

    Love the trails here! Lately, during the sunset hours, the weather has been good and wasn't too cold or windy out. Although, I can imagine during the afternoon it can get really hot, because lack of shading, large trees to cover. So bring sunblock and water, if you're out during the afternoon hours. Several other hikers bring their dogs out here, sometimes off leash, just FYI. There are doggie waste bags available for free here too. There is a path that deviates from the fire road, which has steeper points for more of a good workout. Usually, my friend and I walk/hike up the steeper trail and run back down the fire road. If you enter and start the trails on Westridge and hike up to "the tower" the sunsets and DTLA city lights are epic sites! Worth watching and admiring the 50 shades of sky colors up there :)

    View of Los Angeles in the back!
    Amanda R.

    I love to hike and this place was great. You get a total view of both the city of Los Angeles and the ocean. There are not too many places where you can get such a view. This place is super dog friendly and I would say over 50% of the people there had dogs. There are also quite a few bikers. But plenty of room for everyone to walk. It's not an extremely difficult hike but you can make it more difficult on yourself depending upon which route you decide to choose. It was the perfect hike for frankly the day after a lot of drinking.

    Stephanie S.

    I haven't been here since the fires but I usually go here 1 to 2 times a week with my dog. She and I, love this trail and the gorgeous view. You get a really good workout in too. My dog gets a good workout as well. Parking is easy to find - either right outside the trail entrance or on the side street next to the residential areas. The only thing I don't like about it, is the dog poop. There are a lot of owners who don't pick up after their dogs and it's pretty disgusting! I wonder how things look now since the fires...overall though, this trail is pretty awesome.

    See all

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Peace L.
    0
    517
    4828

    1 year ago

    Just finished a great morning stroll with a group gathering. My first time here and was a great refreshing feel.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ed T.
    102
    363
    2888

    6 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Agatha K.
    334
    192
    272

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeff T.
    1672
    385
    1775

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Michael G.
    417
    211
    185

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Michael S.
    4858
    3215
    31647

    16 years ago

    Helpful 20
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Adam X.
    394
    560
    2900

    18 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 13
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nik S.
    0
    94
    197

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Wind T.
    13
    112
    11

    17 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Elyssa S.
    254
    21
    12

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ruby R.
    691
    50
    54

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Karly B.
    277
    46
    7

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Mandeville Canyon Fire Road

    Review Highlights - Mandeville Canyon Fire Road

    There's a fire road that begins at the end of Westridge Road in what I guess would be considered Brentwood?

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Parks 18,194 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

    Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

    4.5(1.1k reviews)
    8.5 mi

    The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook (also known as the Culver City Steps) is a great spot to check…read moreout for new and experienced hikers alike. I personally go for a hike every Sunday because it helps me decompress, reflect on the week that I've had, and mentally prepare myself for the week coming up/visualize future plans. Right off the bat, I'd strongly recommend planning in advance for the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook since the parking closer to the base of the trail is street parking and first come first serve. While the street parking is mostly free (there are some meters), I can't really recommend a "best" time to get there as I've gone at multiple times of the morning, afternoon, and evening, and it's generally tough to get a spot that isn't a bit of a walk away. Additionally, there is metered parking at the top of the trail, but the caveat is that you won't be able to advance the steps on your first trek if you start from the top. The steps are arguably the most attractive part of the trail since it offers a unique fitness challenge that manages to feel familiar for stairmaster users while also feeling different because of the outdoor ambiance. It also feels like something out of a training scene from a Shaw Brothers film for my fellow movie nerds. If your'e reasonably in shape, the steps likely won't be too big of an issue, but if you're fairly new to fitness/hiking, you will likely have to take breaks as you advance up the steps. That said, most people here are very supportive of one another, so if you are struggling to make it up, someone will no doubt cheer you on. Once you advance to the top of the steps, you'll have an opportunity to catch your breath, take in the beautiful skyline view of LA, and take a selfie. This is also a great opportunity to chat with fellow hikers and possibly make a new friend or two along the way. I'd suggest advancing past this rest spot and make your way to the back of the trail as it provides you with two cool options. Option 1: You can make a right while at the parking lot and do laps going up and down the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook without worrying about the steps. It is significantly less grueling than the steps, offers some additional great views of LA, and even has a few benches where one can chill and eat a snack. Option 2 (Strongly Recommend): You can make a left, walk through the parking lot, and explore a nice casual hike from the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook to the nearby Kenneth Hahn Park. I do this every time I visit the trail because it feels like a more rewarding hike that also offers some really nice views of the local area. Furthermore, this path is another way to get to Kenneth Hahn without worrying about the $10.00 entry fee should you try to enter the park that way. I've been hiking since 2020, and I can confidently say that this is one of my favorite trails. I've hiked here countless times alone, and I've also gone with less experienced friends who've also had a blast. The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is moderately challenging, offers some great views, is peaceful, and the food trucks at the base of the steps have a wealth of smoothies, refreshers, etc. to choose from for your pre or post hike pleasure.

    we came at 2pm 83 degrees on weather app but the breeze was cool. There's trails on both sides for…read morealternative climbs. I did feel like puking up the 2nd "lap". Would do it again. Sad to see how much smog there is. We almost made out the Hollywood sign. Could see where Cedars Sinai and LA skyline were though!

    Photos
    Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
    Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook - Sunrise

    Sunrise

    Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook - Mustard weeds er'where!

    See all

    Mustard weeds er'where!

    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

    4.4(294 reviews)
    24.2 mi

    Perfect hike for a hot day…read more I love waterfall hikes and listening to the sound of calm, running water. The added challenge on these hikes is the multiple stream crossings. I brought some hiking poles which helped with balance and probing for loose rocks and logs. If you want to get parking in the lower lot, it's best to come before 8AM. We found parking in the second lot. An Adventure Pass or Day Pass is required. Parking is enforced. A car received a ticket for being in a No Parking zone. The start of the trail is nicely shaded. The second half is a hilly, narrow, sun exposed path which routes back into the canyon toward the Lower Switzer Falls. I'm glad they had fencing on some narrow and steep parts of the trail. We encountered an active rattlesnake which headed down the mountain, so be on the lookout. Overall, the hike takes about 3 hours for 5.5 miles. The additional hike back up to the parking lot was about 1/4 of a mile. Note: if you need to use the restroom, it's best to bring your own toilet paper and to go before you start your hike. It was kind of smelly, but if you gotta go... you gotta go.

    This was my first real hike, and it was great! It was a bit confusing to get there but there were…read moreplenty of people around to help out. The water is ice cold and you need water shoes to comfortably walk around in the water. Be careful not to slip on the algae covered rocks! Still wonderful

    Photos
    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service - Lower Switzer Fall

    Lower Switzer Fall

    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service
    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service - The grand prize, Switzer falls.

    See all

    The grand prize, Switzer falls.

    Secret Stairs - Tamarac Dr. to Glenullen Dr.

    Secret Stairs

    4.3(37 reviews)
    18.9 mi

    My second time doing the stairs here is how I found them…read more Number of stairs- 9 Sycamore Glen to Redwood Dr.-this staircase is not in Fleming's Secret Stairs book, Walk #1, though they could have easily been part of the route. 60 steps Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr. 98 steps Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr. 81 steps up then 19 steps down Tamarac Dr. to Glenullen Dr. 86 steps Glenullen Dr. to Cherry Dr. 99 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Capinero Dr. 44 steps La Loma to Cheviotdale Pl. 54 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Cherry Dr. 43 steps La Loma to Evergreen-this staircase... Hope it helps It's around two miles.

    I decided to give the Secret Stairs a visit after a tip from Yelp! There is just something charming…read moreabout a neighborhood network of stairs. The stairs serves well as an easy hike or an exercise spot for those who love stair climbing. One thing I did not expect is that the stairs go up and down. Rather than take you higher and higher, some of the stairs just takes you across hills which for me is disappointing. Also, I did not find the houses along the trail particularly scenic. They are probably nice for Pasadena but definitely a far cry from what you see in nearby Arcadia, San Marino, La Canada, etc. Overall, I consider the Secret Stairs a local attraction. It's a worth a visit if you live less than 20 minutes away and its a fun neighborhood novelty but it's definitely not worth your time if you don't live in the area. Parking: I parked on the street on Elmwood which is the beginning of the trail, but I don't highly recommend it. It's not a particularly well maintained street and it is super narrow and steep without proper curbs/sidewalks. There is also a sign that says 'Tow Away on Red Flag Days'. Refer to the affixes picture. If I returned, I would either park on the street prior to Elmwood or just skip to a different segment.

    Photos
    Secret Stairs - Start on. Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr.

    Start on. Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr.

    Secret Stairs - Map if you want to do 2.7 miles.

    Map if you want to do 2.7 miles.

    Secret Stairs - Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr.

    See all

    Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr.

    Mandeville Canyon Fire Road - parks - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...