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A steep winding path to one of the most popular vantage points in West Los Angeles.


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Map Key

1.0

Miles

1.6

KM

88%

Runnable

420' 128 m

High

85' 26 m

Low

335' 102 m

Up

1' 0 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers

Portions of the trail will be closed for restoration through 2020. These parts can be bypassed via the steep Culver City Steps Trail (which will also be restored when the trails are open).

Need to Know

Absolutely no shade! Hats, sunscreen, and water are a must in summer.

Description

The trail can be tackled from two start points in two ways: either park on the street and ascend, or park at the hilltop visitor center ($2/hr or $6 day) and run down. If accessibility is a consideration for you, the trail from the top to the main viewpoints is very short and easy.

Most people go from the bottom and the trail can end up congested in places. After one switchback you are presented with two route options. You can either continue on the trail as it weaves up the hill (the longer option), or there is the Culver City Steps Trail. The stairs are an interesting challenge; they're too big to be climbed quickly, I tried pacing myself to reach each new step in stride and it turned into more of a tough, long lunge than a run (and I'm a lanky 6'1").

Aside from the difficulties the huge stairs present, they are also much busier than the dirt path. A lot of people are looking to push themselves to do something more difficult and it is certainly a hard-earned reward if you can make it to the top at any pace without a break.

Either way, aim for a good air day to get to the top. If you have blue skies, you'll see all of LA from Downtown to Santa Monica to the north and the rolling hills to the south. Even on a smoggy day it's worth checking out for the wildflowers, songbirds, and to the east after the Playa-to-Park Trail, the Stoneview Nature Center.

Contacts

Shared By:

Dylan Payne with improvements by Brian Frange

Trail Ratings

  2.7 from 3 votes

#43897

Overall
  2.7 from 3 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
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3 Star
67%
2 Star
33%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#4,542

in California

#43,897

Overall
2 Views Last Month
260 Since May 10, 2018
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
67%
33%
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Photos

The Stairs
May 11, 2018 near Culver…, CA
Los Angeles County
Mar 28, 2022 near Culver…, CA
Culver City Stairs
Mar 28, 2022 near Culver…, CA
Vista, taken in
May 11, 2018 near Culver…, CA
Los Angeles County
Mar 28, 2022 near Culver…, CA

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