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    Mandeville Canyon Fire Road

    4.4 (142 reviews)

    Mandeville Canyon Fire Road Photos

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    William T.

    Mandeville is one of my favorite hiking spots. A small parking lot is available at the hike entrance but I've seen some overflow into the residential areas (please be respectful if parking there). It is dog friendly which is a plus for me. The well maintained fire road is paved although recent rains have opened up some cracks. There's diversions where you can climb the humps for some incline. Mandeville usually stays quite green even during the summer and the flowers springing up recently makes it more beautiful. Beware of spots with droves of flies and watch out for bikers whizzing by.

    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.

    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.

    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!

    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.

    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 :)

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

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    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

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    Crystal Lake

    Crystal Lake

    4.1
    (62 reviews)
    34.5 mi

    Plenty hiking opportunities, refreshing air, and a nice scenic drive in. Be sure to have a full…read moretank, as there is no gas services. There is a cafe/ convenience store across from the campground where you can also purchase your day use park pass for $5. I experienced a foggy day, which gave a cooling effect to my hiking. Restrooms are vault toilets, so unpleasant smells and a mess are a given. The lake has lots of swampy algae, therefore not appropriate for swimming or water sports. However, they do allow fishing with permit. I am a nature enthusiast and it was saddening to see the lack of humans respect for nature, with graffiti and trash in some areas of the park. Crystal lake definitely could use more funding to preserve its natural beauty. The loveliest part is listening to woodpeckers as they work, watching an eagle fly above with a fish in its talons, and treading quietly not to startle the squirrel who is crossing my path. I suggest picking up a map with hiking trails from the rangers post or convenience store, before planning your day!

    Very beautiful place. Just an hour's drive from La Crescenta, much closer than Big Bear…read more There's still snow there, the road is clear, and along the way, there's a mountain stream and a reservoir where you can stop. Download a map in advance, as there's no signal there. There's a small lake where you can take a walk, and a forest with a cozy family café where you can grab a snack.

    Photos
    My Cheeseburger from the Crystal lake cafe.
    My Cheeseburger from the Crystal lake cafe.
    Steps to/from Crystal Lake to the parking lot
    Steps to/from Crystal Lake to the parking lot
    Crystal Lake

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    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

    4.4
    (293 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 place is great for fully appreciating nature! The trail is around 5-5.5 miles round trip,…read moredepending on where you park. What impressed me most about this trail is that it's almost fully covered by shade. We went in the late afternoon, and I'd say probably 80-85% of it is covered. Very impressive! Here are some useful tips: 1. There are three parking lots: two are next to the highway, and one is near the hiking entrance. I'd recommend getting a parking pass if possible. 2. There are only three restrooms at the beginning of the trail, so use them when you see them. 3. If you're aiming to go to the waterfall, make sure to look for the signs. Some signs aren't very clear, so we had to stop and ask other hikers frequently. Luckily, people there are super friendly and happy to help. Just pay attention to your surroundings. 4. The trail is dog-friendly, but dogs must be on a leash. 5. Waterproof hiking boots are recommended. All in all, it's a fun trail. It's a great place for a picnic and camping, and it's very close to the stream. Great for kids, families, and pets!

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

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    Secret Stairs

    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
    Start on. Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr.
    Start on. Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr.
    Map if you want to do 2.7 miles.
    Map if you want to do 2.7 miles.
    Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr.

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    Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr.

    Mandeville Canyon Fire Road - parks - Updated July 2026

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