Name: Hollywood Sign and Bronson Caves
Rating: 4.4

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Features Cave · Views

Please respect all rules and signage surrounding the Hollywood Sign. It is illegal to climb over the fence surrounding the sign.

Overview

This route utilizes the Bronson Caves Access Road, Brush Canyon Trail, Mulholland Trail, and Mt. Lee Drive to bring hikers to two popular sites in Griffith Park. The route takes you to the famous Bronson Caves, which have been used as a set by the television and film industry for years, before taking you up to the Hollywood Sign to experience classic views of the L.A. basin.

Need to Know

Bring your own water, regardless of the weather, as this route is dry and doesn't have potable water. Watch out for rattlesnakes along the roads.

Description

This hike begins at the end of Canyon Drive with the Bronson Caves Access Road. Turn right off of Canyon Drive to follow the access road to the south. You'll quickly reach Bronson Caves, which have been used as a set by numerous movies and T.V. shows over the years, including the 1960's "Batman" which used Bronson Caves to depict the famous Batcave.

Once you've had your fill of the caves, you can loop around to return northward along the Bronson Caves Access Road. Once you reach the intersection with Canyon Drive, you'll continue to the northeast on the Brush Canyon Trail.
At first, the climb along the trail is gradual, but after 4/10 of a mile the trail becomes significantly steeper. At this point, you'll start to become surrounded by chaparral flora, characteristic of the region.

The trail will then start to bend toward the west and after 1.2 miles and will come to an end as it hits the Mulholland Trail. Turn left here to join the Mulholland Trail. At this point, the trail will level out slightly and go up a series of very gradual switchbacks while also passing a juncture with the Hollyridge Trail. Hiking another 3/10 of a mile past this juncture you'll reach Mt. Lee Drive. Turn left here to follow Mt. Lee Drive.

Mt. Lee Drive, a paved path, brings you further up the hillside before wrapping around the ridgeline that sits above the Hollywood Sign. You'll be able to enjoy views of L.A. from 100 feet above the sign itself. Once you've enjoyed your time above the sign you can turn around and follow the same route back to the trailhead at the end of Canyon Drive.

Thanks to John McKinney, The Trailmaster, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about trails in California, check out his guides at The Trailmaster Store.