Ferndell to the West Observatory Loop Trail to Griffith Observatory is a 2.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Los Angeles, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Ferndell (aka Fern Dell) is a woodsy glen at the lower end of Western Canyon in Griffith Park. Your destination is the historic Griffith Observatory.
From Los Feliz Blvd. (one block east of where Western Avenue terminates into Los Feliz), turn north onto Fern Dell Drive. See the hike description below the for details from here. You can use the address of the Trails Cafe in your favorite online map program for specific directions: 2333 Fern Dell D
January 22, 2021loved it!
January 21, 2021
January 18, 2021Kinda sucks
January 17, 2021Heavy traffic. Tough to find parking on a Sunday afternoon but someone will typically be out of their spot from the morning
January 17, 2021Easy but steep most of the way up. Quick trail, very pretty.
January 17, 2021Beautiful trail, a little busy on the weekends but still very peaceful. Came here with my little nieces last Saturday, found a bunch of crawfish in the creek. Great trail for families and small pups, lots of parking at the lot near the playground.
January 16, 2021January 12, 2021Nice walk, not too steep. Good amount of hikers out this morning, most in masks. The view was beautiful! The sky was so blue this morning, not much smog.
January 11, 2021January 10, 2021January 10, 2021Very scenic nice views however once u hit the dirt it’s all pretty much uphill so I didn’t make it all the way up but with breaks or if you’re an experienced hiker you should be fine lots of people too so it doesn’t seem too deserted, parking is a little rough maybe getting there earlier might be better but I found some eventually
January 9, 2021All the way uphill one way- minimal shade on the trail, so it’s challenging in heat! But going down is a breeze. The payoff is incredible and the creek at the end of it all was serene. Big fan! Will take family and friends when it’s safe
January 9, 2021Done this hike a few times now and love that it’s a quick moderate workout to the top. I went on a Saturday during pandemic so it does get busy later in the mornings around 9am. So if you’re trying to avoid crowds I’d go around 6 or 7am. Most people were wearing face masks. The views up top are great especially during sunrise.
January 7, 2021This was the first hike my mom did with me. it was pretty easy to do and the observatory is pretty cool. no shade so bring proper sun protection. for more information check this video out. https://youtu.be/kryXm0s7UYE
January 6, 2021Awesome and safe
January 5, 2021January 3, 2021Nice views but pretty crowded. Not too difficult, if you pace yourself.
January 2, 2021Worth a while
January 1, 2021January 1, 2021Sunny and a bit cool when starting but a great way to start the new year! lots of people out, but trail is wide. Continued on to My. Hollywood Summit, which was a nice treat, and came down a different trail.
December 30, 2020December 29, 2020It’s short and a little boring. Somewhat crowded, but nice views.
December 27, 2020It was easy but with enough incline to get your heart pumping. Keep going because you will be rewarded with insane views of LA!
December 26, 2020Amazing!
December 26, 2020December 26, 2020Steep uphill to the observatory. Insane views up top.
December 24, 2020December 15, 2020Pleasant, quick loop with great views and just enough incline to feel like Little workout. Plus, there’s a bakery at the bottom.
December 8, 2020The dell part was easy. Lots of shade. Crowded but quite. A nice place to meditate. Loved the Observation loop but I didn’t think it was all that easy. While it’s not long and it’s a nice unpaved path... it’s a nice gain in a short distance. Well rewarded by the multitude of vistas throughout and an occasional spot to pause in a pitch of shade.
December 7, 2020Beautiful 
