With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
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 .
Sponsored message
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.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
