Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Views of the Westside from Franklin Canyon's Hastain Trail
Tucked at the southern end of Franklin Canyon Park on a dead-end road is Franklin Ranch, home to decently sized open grassy field, a small bench area for outdoor classes and a few trails, including the lasso-shaped trail known as the Hastain Trail.
It's a good alternative to the somewhat busy Wilacre Park in Studio City and much busier Runyon Canyon in Hollywood. You won't ever be alone on the trail, located near the edge of Beverly Hills, but bumping into other hikers is a little more rare than these other spots.
To get there, enter Franklin Canyon from either end of the park (Beverly Hills or the Valley) and head south at Lake Drive. Two trailheads and parking areas are available on the left side.
Most hikers tend to treat Hastain as a there-and-back instead of a full loop or lasso-shape, either because of confusion on maps (there are 3 versions, one online and two available at the park visitor center) or because a complete loop includes a short walk on Lake Drive (with the optional streetside Discovery Trail). We recommend doing the full loop (1.72 miles*) plus the there-and-back extension from the apex of the hill, which will add nearly a mile more of hiking for a total of 2.7 miles. Most hikers tend to park at the northern trailhead and hike to the top and back, which is about 2.8 miles.
From the lowest to highest point, the elevation gain is about 800 feet.
The Franklin Ranch portion of the park is owned by the National Park Service, but maintained by the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority. All of the park is within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
*The official park estimate is 2.3 miles. When marking the trail on gmap-pedometer.com, it came out to 1.72 miles.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
