Lake Hollywood Reservoir Walking Trail Los Angeles reservoir loop hike

Hollywood Reservoir (Lake Hollywood) is circled by a paved service road that walkers, joggers, and bikers can use to get lakeside exercise with Hollywood views. The reservoir is located in the hills west of Griffith Park below Cahuenga Peak and Mount Lee (whose summit is world famous for the large white letters that spell HOLLYWOOD). Numerous views of the Hollywood Sign appear on the 3.5-mile loop around Hollywood Reservoir (with 50 feet of easy elevation change). Unfortunately, most views of the reservoir come through chain-link fences that separate the trail from the water everywhere except Mulholland Dam, which offers clear, classic views across the lake toward the Hollywood Sign.

You can begin hiking around Hollywood Reservoir from a few places. This description sets out from the northwest side of the lake where roadside parking on Lake Hollywood Drive is the most abundant (just down the road from where you would park to hike to Cahuenga Peak). Pass through an imposing looking entry fence labeled Gate 2. On the other side, find a water fountain and a map of the lake with its public access hours and rules. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) uses Hollywood Reservoir as an emergency water source, and you may see their vehicles along Lake Hollywood Reservoir Walking Trail.

Begin hiking south along the wide paved road. The Upper Reservoir comes into view through pine trees and an imposing 10-foot tall chain-link fence. Proceed down the road along the Upper Reservoir, which is just north of the larger Lower Reservoir. Through the fence, you can catch a glimpse of lush shores and inlets that ducks seem to be enjoying in the absence of public access. Across the lake, the Hollywood Sign is visible in the mountains of Griffith Park.

Hollywood Reservoir
Looking through the fence toward the Upper Reservoir

Pass the dam between the two reservoirs, 0.4 miles from the start, and continue down the walking trail. After 1.1 miles of hiking, when the frustration of only being able to see the lake through the fence becomes almost unbearable, the road will turn left and cross the thousand foot long dam at the south end of the reservoir. The beautifully constructed Mulholland Dam was built in 1924 with 172,000 cubic yards of concrete.

Views of the Hollywood Reservoir are scarcer going forward, so linger on Mulholland Dam and enjoy an unchained perspective across the blue water. The broad view from Mulholland Dam includes the Hollywood Sign, impossible to miss in the mountains above the large elegantly shaped lake.

Unlike other nearby urban reservoirs, Lake Hollywood has several inlets and bends that give it a natural looking form. In the opposite direction, you can look south from the dam over pines toward the tall buildings along Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard.

Hollywood Reservoir
Hollywood Reservoir from Mulholland Dam
Hollywood Reservoir Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood Sign above Hollywood Reservoir

Cross Mulholland Dam and come to an alternate trailhead at the Weidlake Gate, which provides access to Hollywood Reservoir from the top of Weidlake Drive. Turn left before reaching the gate and take the paved road heading up the east side of the lake. Hiking the loop in this counterclockwise direction, you will be in a position for great views of the Hollywood Sign, which lines up just above the trail.

Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood Sign above Lake Hollywood Reservoir Walking Trail

The best view of the Hollywood Sign comes about a mile from the Mulholland Dam. After that, the trail circles around a canyon above one of the reservoir’s major inlets and proceeds to the Tahoe Gate near the northeast side of Hollywood Reservoir.

After 2.75 miles on Lake Hollywood Reservoir Walking Trail, pass through the gate, cross Tahoe Drive, and turn left. The good news is that you will get to walk along a dirt trail for about half a mile. The bad news is that the trail hugs Lake Hollywood Drive and turns into a sidewalk. Follow Lake Hollywood Drive west back to the trailhead at the north end of the Upper Reservoir, finishing the loop where you started after 3.5 miles of walking.

Note: In 2005, a huge storm dropped 35 inches of rain over Los Angeles, causing a major landslide on the west side of Hollywood Reservoir. The massive clean up and repair effort that followed closed the trail on that side of the lake until April of 2013. The trail around Hollywood Reservoir has fully reopened, making it possible to hike the entire loop!

Access to Hollywood Reservoir is closed at night. The gates around Hollywood Reservoir open daily at 6:30 a.m. and are locked around sunset. Check the photo below for specific seasonal closure times and don’t get locked in! The LADWP may also periodically deny access for maintenance and other operations. Dogs are not permitted on Lake Hollywood Reservoir Walking Trail, but bikes are. No fee or permit is required to stroll around Hollywood Reservoir, so get out and enjoy!

Lake Hollywood Reservoir access rules
Public access information for Hollywood Reservoir

An alternate route: A variation or addition to the loop around Hollywood Reservoir is a 1-mile long dirt trail up the ridge east of the lake, an unpaved stretch of Mulholland Highway also called Hollywood Reservoir Single-track. This dirt trail starts from the southeast corner of the loop by the Weidlake Gate Trailhead. The trail ascends to the top of Canyon Lake Drive at an area where tourists gather to view the Hollywood Sign.

The trail begins across from the east end of Mulholland Dam, to the right of the main trail that goes up the east side of the lake. If you arrive from Weidlake Gate, Hollywood Reservoir Single-track is the first trail on the right. A gate in front of the trail has an opening on the left side. Go up this wide dirt trail, gaining views through a fence over Lake Hollywood. Hollywood Reservoir Single-track actually goes up a small finger of Griffith Park. Pass through a yellow gate after a quarter mile and continue to a bench at a scenic junction with a trail down from Durand Drive. This is a great place to take a break and appreciate views of Hollywood Reservoir and the Hollywood Sign.

Beyond the bench, about half a mile up the trail, your path narrows. It continues to ascend along the side of the ridge, slipping through brush that hugs close to the trail. There are a few patches of concrete along the trail, but mostly it’s dirt (with areas of loose sand that can challenge bikers). Enjoy fence-free views down the ridge toward the reservoir as you climb closer to the Hollywood Sign.

At the top of this peaceful, lightly used trail, turn left up a driveway with big flat stones laid out like lily pads. In 250 feet, you will reach the top of Canyon Lake Drive at Mulholland Highway (paved) where spectators congregate to take selfies in front of the Hollywood Sign. Have your camera ready for a great perspective of the sign. If you’re on foot, it’s probably best to backtrack down the trail. If you’re on a bike, turn left down Canyon Lake Drive and enjoy a speedy descent past Lake Hollywood Park (a popular place for people with dogs). Turn left down Tahoe Drive, bike to Lake Hollywood Drive, and turn right to finish the last 0.75 miles of the Lake Hollywood Loop to reach the trailhead at North Gate.

Lake Hollywood Single-Track Mulholland Highway
Hollywood Reservoir Single-track

To extend Lake Hollywood Reservoir Walking Trail even more, and hike all the way up to Mount Lee, Cahuenga Peak, and Burbank Peak, check out Hollywood Sign – Hollywood Reservoir Loop.

To get to the North Gate Trailhead on Lake Hollywood Drive: From the 101 Freeway exit on Barham Boulevard and drive north for 1/3 of a mile. Turn right at the light onto Lake Hollywood Drive. Take this winding road for half a mile up to the intersection with Wonder View Drive and continue down Lake Hollywood Drive for a quarter mile to the trailhead gate. Free roadside parking is found on the right side of the road.

Trailhead address: Lake Hollywood Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068
Trailhead coordinates: 34.1288, -118.3363 (34° 07′ 43.67″N 118° 20′ 10.67″W)

To get to the Weidlake Gate Trailhead: Take Cahuenga Boulevard to Dix Street, located one block north of Franklin Avenue. Drive west on Dix Street for one short block and turn left up Holly Drive. Go 0.7 miles to the end of the road and make the big turn to the right up Deep Dell Place. In another 0.4 miles, turn left up Weidlake Drve and take this street for 1/3 of a mile to the parking area at the top of the road outside the Weidlake Gate.

Trailhead address: 6398 Weidlake Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068
Trailhead coordinates: 34.11718,-118.330083 (34° 07′ 01.84″N 118° 19′ 48.29″W)

Elevation Profile
Click or hover over any spot on this elevation profile to see the distance from the start and elevation above sea level at that location, which will be highlighted on the map.
Trail Map

View Griffith Park in a larger map
Or view a regional map of surrounding Los Angeles trails and campgrounds.

Photos

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Hollywood Reservoir Single-track
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These photos were taken in April of 2013. Click to enlarge.
Nearby Trails
Hollywood Sign Hollywood Reservoir Loop Hollywood Sign - Hollywood Reservoir Loop
This 5.4 to 7.4-mile loop combines trails and streets to visit the Hollywood Sign on Mount Lee, neighboring Cahuenga Peak and Burbank Peak, and Lake Hollywood Reservoir.
Innsdale Drive Hollywood Sign hike Hollywood Sign via Innsdale Drive, Mulholland Highway, and Mount Lee Drive
This 4.6-mile round trip hike combines trails and streets to deliver some of the very best views of the Hollywood Sign on the way to the summit of Mount Lee above the sign.
Burbank Peak Trail Wisdom Tree Burbank Peak
This 1.6-mile round trip hike climbs to the Wisdom Tree perched at the west end of Griffith Park.
Cahuenga Peak hike Cahuenga Peak
This 3-mile hike on Burbank Peak Trail and Aileen Getty Ridge Trail ascends to Cahuenga Peak and the adjacent Mount Lee, home of the Hollywood Sign.
Hollywood Sign Hollyridge Trail Mount Lee and the Hollywood Sign via Hollyridge Trail
This 3.5-mile hike ascends 750 feet to reach the summit of Mount Lee behind the Hollywood Sign.
Hollywood Sign Trail Mount Lee and the Hollywood Sign via Brush Canyon Trail
This 6.4-mile hike crosses Griffith Park from Canyon Drive to the top of Mount Lee directly behind the landmark Hollywood Sign.
Griffith Park Mount Hollywood Hike Mount Chapel, Mount Bell, and Mount Hollywood
This 5.7-mile loop tops three prominent summits on a panoramic tour of Griffith Park.
Bronson Cave hike Bronson Cave
This short easy hike visits a man-made cave recognizable as the Batcave from the 1960s Batman TV series and hundreds of other locations on TV and film.
Griffith Park Mount Hollywood Hike Mount Hollywood
This 1,625-foot peak is a star of Griffith Park with panoramic views that can be reached from Griffith Observatory on a steep 1.4-mile hike or a scenic 2.65-mile trek and from lower in the park in Western Canyon for a hike of around 4.2 miles.
Ferndell Trail Ferndell Trail
This relaxing half-mile hike goes through a tropical garden in the lushest little canyon in Griffith Park. Explore farther on a 1.75-mile hike in Western Canyon or venture up to the Griffith Observatory to see more of the park.
Griffith Observatory hike Griffith Observatory via West Observatory Trail
This 2.1-mile hike ascends from Western Canyon up ridges to Griffith Observatory, getting sweeping views over Los Angeles and Griffith Park along the way.
East Observatory Trail Griffith Park Griffith Observatory via East Observatory Trail
This 1.5-mile hike from Vermont Canyon Avenue up to Griffith Park's great observatory delivers excellent views over Los Angeles along the way.
Glendale Peak Griffith Park Glendale Peak
This hike is around three miles long and visits a less known summit on the southeast side of Griffith Park with views that deserve more attention.
Glendale Peak Mount Hollywood Griffith Park Glendale Peak - Mount Hollywood Loop
This 4.15-mile hike tops two summits in Griffith Park that both have awesome views.
Cedar Grove and Vista View Point Loop Cedar Grove & Vista View Point Loop
This 2.3-mile loop on the southeast side of Griffith Park follows paved and unpaved trails to two park attractions, a quiet grove with a picnic area and a helipad with panoramic views.
Bee Rock hike Bee Rock
This hive-shaped point on the east side of Griffith Park is reached via a 1.7 to 4-mile round trip hike.
Old Zoo hike Old Zoo Picnic Area
This half-mile hike explores the abandoned exhibits and animal cages in the ruins of the old LA Zoo in Griffith Park.
Beacon Hill hike Beacon Hill
This 2.75 to 3.9-mile hike in Griffith Park climbs 500 feet to the easternmost summit in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Amirs Garden Amir's Garden
This one-mile hike reaches a relaxing garden on the east side of Griffith Park that is a pleasant retreat for hikers.
Hollywood hikes More trails in the Santa Monica Mountains
Explore other destinations in the range.
Franklin Canyon Lake Loop Franklin Canyon Lake Loop & Chaparral Trail
This 2.5-mile hike loops around Franklin Canyon Lake and ascends Chaparral Trail (optionally) for an overview of Franklin Canyon.
Lake Huntington Lake Huntington
This level and easy 3/4-mile loop circles a small lake in Huntington Beach Central Park.
Peters Canyon Regional Park Lake View Loop & East Ridge Overlook
This 3.65-mile loop expands on the 2.7-mile Lake View Loop with a small loop to the high point of Peters Canyon Regional Park.
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Tagged with · Free Trails · Lakes · Griffith Park · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 3.5 miles · Elevation change: 50 feet

25 Comments on Lake Hollywood Reservoir Walking Trail in Los Angeles

  1. Josh wrote:

    Been wanting to go up here for the photography. Nice write up!

  2. […] 8. Hollywood Reservoir Hike – A simple flat path that surrounds Lake Hollywood, yes, that’s right there is a lake in the middle of the Hollywood Hills! You’ll also get a fine view of the Hollywood sign. Bring bikes and let the kids ride around the 3.5 mile loop. […]

  3. Julian wrote:

    I love this hike! Very easy and beautiful. Be aware that there have been a lot of car break ins at all hours of the day at the northernmost entrance of the walk (the bottom of Lake Hollywood Dr.) where most people park. I have heard from other walkers that it is due mostly to people leaving valuables visible in their cars.

  4. Tom wrote:

    I used to train for 10K runs here in the 1980s doing two laps and walked there in the 1990s with my children, but thought they closed the area inside the fence after 9/11. I assume it is now open to the public again as the photograph of the sign indicates. Yes??

  5. Linda wrote:

    Loved visiting Lake Hollywood Park! Plan to take a group of university students on the Loop Hike, but was looking for bathrooms. I only see one Portable Potty near the Weidlake Gate. Could another portable potty be placed near Lake Hollywood Park, please?

    • smith wrote:

      Hi Linda, yes let me get on that porta potty right away… it will be there at dawn.

  6. JOHN TRESCH wrote:

    I never knew this is here. Was it ever called Lilly Lake?

  7. Liza wrote:

    Has the walk reopened yet after the most recent fire hazard closing?

  8. […] Park for a bout of picturesque rambling in the shadow of the Santa Monica mountain range. Plenty of hiking routes have been mapped out for you already, so whether you want to stick to beaten path or break new […]

  9. Michael wrote:

    I don’t see anything on this site about handicap accessible. Can someone use a motorized scooter on the trail?

  10. Ruth wrote:

    Where to safely park?
    Is saturday or sunday better to go this weekend at 06:30?

  11. Barbara wrote:

    Are dogs on leashes allowed?

  12. Dean wrote:

    Question to all: 04/15/2020
    Is the Hollywood Lake reservoir walking path open to the public now during the Covid 19 crisis?

    • Andrew Roda wrote:

      Hey Dean. The trail around the lake is still closed due to COVID (as of 5/8/20). Hoping it’ll re-open soon, but its still closed for now.

      • Elizabeth Vejar wrote:

        Do you know if it is open now?

      • Rita Sharma wrote:

        Any idea if it’s open now?

        • Jamieson Monday wrote:

          Its been opened since May 1st actually! Be careful it has been busier than normal. Lots of families, also they aren’t really enforcing any rules. AKA there are lots of dogs there, and lots of people not wearing mask. Other then that its great!

  13. Peter wrote:

    Can you fish on this lake/reservoir?

  14. Christina Adams wrote:

    Is the Hollywood lake reservoir walking path open to the public now?

  15. Dean DiPaola wrote:

    Just wondering is there private security that walks the perimeter of the lake. I thought i might of seen a guard walking the lake, just wondering..thank you LOVE the hike…Deano

  16. Gloria wrote:

    It’s a surprisingly shady walk. Shortly after entering Gate 2, look for the vines belonging to the subscription-only Hollywood Classic Vineyard, next to a campanile built by Bugsy Siegal and later owned by Madonna. Admire the carved heads of the California grizzly bear on the face of the dam.

  17. Araka wrote:

    Not sure why but currently it is closed.

  18. Gladys wrote:

    I visited the Hollywood Reservoir yesterday, walking around on the path and over the dam. Unfortunately the experience was ruined by a selfish woman on a bike, cycling back and forth playing a radio or boom box really loud, so that walkers were forced to listen to her taste in pop music. Hasn’t she discovered ear-buds?

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