Everyone in LA hikes, now I know what you're thinking - I used up my hiking quota for life when completing the Duke of Edinbough Bronze award. This is very different. Instead of your mum's walking boots, soggy sandwiches and sheep this is all about palm trees, cute dogs and very skimpy workout gear.
The most popular place to hike is without doubt
Runyan Canyon.
Runyon Canyon is a 160 acre park in the Santa Monica Mountains, it's a
seen and to be seen place. It has lots of different hiking trails, with names like the star trail and hero trail (it is Hollywood after all)!
Exercise is such a big part of daily life in LA, we found people hike 3 or 4 times a week, with friends to walk the dogs, for exercise by themselves or even business deals!
We tended to go early in the morning to get it over and done with before the sun gets too hot! The star trail is hard enough for me. It consists of railroad steps with a steep incline and then a gentle decline back down or on less energetic days walk up the gentle hill and meander down the steps.
On our first morning our jet lag was so bad we were wide awake at 5am so hiked up Runyon to watch the sunrise. This was my favourite time to hike, it's so quiet and peaceful without the drone of the busy freeway. Plus, you can actually get a space on the famous bench at the top for a good old rest and watch the sun rise.
It may sound silly, but the one thing we love about travelling is the light. Waking up each day in bright sunlight does wonders for your energy and attitude, you actually want to get up and exercise!
Once you've enjoyed your hike you can participate in a free yoga class that takes place at the bottom of the canyon. I've yet to try this, but when I'm back in LA, I'm determined to give it a go.
Labels: DO, exercise, hike, LA, Runyon Canyon, TRAVEL
