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Hiking La Tuna Canyon Trail

January 15, 2017 By Jeff H 7 Comments

Hiking the La Tuna Canyon Trail

La Tuna Canyon Trail is a little gem on the northwest side of the Verdugo Mountains. The trailhead is officially in Sunland, and easy to reach from both the 210 and 5 freeways on – what else – La Tuna Canyon Road.

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Trail Details
Distance: 4 miles
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,126 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round
The Verdugo Mountains are easily accessible and provide great 360-degree views of LA and the Valley, plus a front-seat view of the San Gabriel range. This four mile out-and-back gives you a shady climb through old oaks and sycamore trees with options to add adventure or extend the hike.

There are no permit or parking fees. Just find a place to pull up and park. The trail begins on the south side of La Tuna Canyon Road, 1.2 miles west of the 210 freeway. Look for the big, brown Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy sign marking the start of the trail.

 

Trailhead to the La Tuna Canyon Trail

The trail meanders back and forth, zig-zagging through several canyons as it slowly and steadily climbs. This side of the Verdugo Mountains faces north, so it gets much more shade than the Vital Link Trail. On a January morning, it was cool and the hills were turning green from the winter rains.

Oak trees on La Tuna Canyon trail
Rustic bridge on the La Tuna Canyon Trail
La Tuna Canyon Trail

After a mile and a half of meandering and gentle gains, the trail climbs out of the shade, into the sun, and the vertical gains come more steadily.

The last mile to the top the trail climbs 600 feet. Once you reach the “top” of this this trail, you’re granted a restful lounge chair with the name “Chuck” carved into the back. You get a great view of the 210 snaking it’s way through the mountains and the taller San Gabriel range just beyond.

Sit and rest at the top of the trail

Here the trail hooks up with the Verdugo Motorway – a fire road the weaves closely along the crest of the Verdugo Mountains, ultimately connecting with both the Vital Link Trail and the Beaudry Motorway Loop. If you’re looking to extend your hike, you can follow this road in either direction, but be sure to save energy and water for the return trip.

After a rest break at “Chuck,” we headed back down the La Tuna Canyon Trail, but on our return we followed the steep single-track down the ridge. It begins innocently enough.

This short cuts about 1/2 a mile off the return

The last section of this “short-cut” adds an element of adventure, requiring hand-over-foot scrambling. Trekking poles, hiking shoes with good grip and a willingness to get a little dirty come in handy on the steep, rutted descent. We shaved about half a mile returning this route, but had to take it slowly.

It gets much steeper still

La Tuna Canyon Trail Map & Elevation Profile

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: 8200-west-tuna-canyon-road-to-8001-west-tuna-canyon-road-los-angeles-ca (1).gpx

La Tuna Canyon Trail Tips and Resources

  • Get driving directions to the trailhead via Google Maps
  • The trails in the Verdugo Mountains are also popular with mountain bikers. Be alert!
  • There are no facilities or water on this trail.
  • Download our GPX track

La Tuna Canyon Weather Forecast

The location could not be found.

Originally hiked on January 16, 2016.

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: 3-6 miles, dog-friendly, LA County, Verdugo Mountains

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Jeff H

About Jeff H

I'm an avid hiker and backpacker. My wife Joan and I are on the trails every weekend. I started SoCal Hiker to share my passion for outdoor adventure.

Comments

  1. Marble Mountain Ranch says

    February 21, 2017 at 1:02 am

    This is the perfect place to hike. The best thing that will happen in hiking is witnessing the beauty of nature. By staring at the beautiful mountains you will be relaxed and appreciate how beautiful the world is. Hoping to hike this mountain someday.

    Reply
  2. Best camp stoves says

    March 27, 2017 at 2:09 pm

    Love the view from the top of the hills! Reminds me of hiking around Sante Fe, New Mexico.

    Reply
  3. Dan Chabert says

    April 6, 2017 at 2:11 am

    Wow! I imagine myself enjoying a bottle of beer on “Chuck” while looking at a beautiful scenery.

    Reply
  4. Geoffrey SGeoffrey S says

    September 14, 2017 at 8:34 pm

    Has anyone been out there since the recent La Tuna Canyon fire? I drove past the other day and it seems the trail was spared from the worst of the fire, just curious as to what the conditions are.

    Reply
  5. Nina says

    February 13, 2018 at 10:03 am

    I tried to go this past Sunday Feb 11th 2018 and the trail was closes with a fence because of “Hazardous Conditions” and the area looked really damaged by the recent fires… Really sad.
    On a more positive note, thank you Jeff for your great hiking posts, you are my point of reference for hikes around Los Angeles area. Description and info is great and the pictures are really helpful!

    Reply
  6. Verne says

    September 3, 2018 at 7:21 pm

    Wow this looks like a fabulous hike. Do you have any 2018 updates on it? I am in the area next month and am looking for a few hikes?

    Reply
  7. m says

    October 8, 2018 at 7:07 pm

    Yes this tail head is still closed. It’s not directly due to the fires, it’s actually due to the rains/flooding in January 2018. A part of the road was damaged, and it’s still in the process of being repaired.. You can still reach this area via Hostetter Fire road, which is closer to the 210 fwy.

    Reply

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