Located in West Hollywood as part of Griffith Park, Bronson Canyon offers one of the most straightforward dog hikes in the LA area with a real payoff at the end. The main trail runs 6.5 miles roundtrip to views of the Hollywood sign, climbing steadily but not brutally through chaparral and oak woodland. Your dog will be on leash the whole way, which is required by park rules, but the trail is wide enough that passing other hikers isn’t a hassle.

Most people don’t push all the way to the sign unless they’re really committed. Instead, there’s the 0.6-mile side trail to Bronson Caves, which is where you’ll spend most of your energy. These caves were used as the Batcave in the 1960s Batman TV show, so it’s kind of a fun piece of random Hollywood history. The caves themselves are shallow and fenced off now, but the trail there is shaded and cooler than the main canyon, which makes a real difference on hot days.

The trailhead is easy to find and has decent parking. The canyon walls are dramatic, especially after rain when there’s any water flowing. Dogs handle the loose dirt and rock just fine. I’d bring more water than you think you need since shade is sparse once you’re past the first section, and the sun reflects off the canyon walls. The better time to go is early morning or late afternoon, both to avoid heat and to dodge the weekend crowds who show up for the Instagram-friendly views.

If your dog is used to hiking and doesn’t mind being on leash for a couple hours, this is a solid choice. It’s close enough to Hollywood that you can combine it with other things in the area, but once you’re in the canyon, you feel pretty removed from the city.