Burbank: Stough Canyon Nature Center to "The View"

Basic Info

Distance: Just under 4 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Time:  2 hours

Views:  Beautiful views of most of the Valley.  To the south, you'll see Downtown, Griffith Park, and the Santa Monica Mountains.  To the north, you'll see the 210 freeway and the Angeles National Forest.  

Directions to trailhead:  

From the 5, take the Burbank Blvd Exit

Right onto East Burbank Blvd

Left onto North 3rd Street

Right onto Delaware Road

Right onto North Glenoaks Blvd

Left onto East Walnut Ave

Continue onto Stough Canyon Ave.  The nature center is at the end of Stough Canyon Ave.

Cell reception? Entire Hike

Trail Condition:  Well maintained fire road

Fresh Water:  Fill up at the Stough Canyon Nature Center at the trailhead.

Public bathrooms:  Clean flush toilets at the nature center.

Parking:  The parking lot at the nature center is small.  Additional parking is available on the road

Map of the Verdugo Mountains Hiking Trails

Description:

Located in the Verdugo Mountains in Burbank, the trail starts at the Stough Canyon Nature Center.  Inside the center, there are trail maps, description of the wildlife, a history of the area, clean flush toilets, and a drinking fountain.  It's worth it to pop in for a few minutes before or after your hike.

Footbridge to the nature center

Flush toilets and drinking fountain.

The trailhead

As you head up the trail, you'll pass 3 benches. This trail is an out and back, so you'll be heading up the mountain the entire way out. Be sure to turn around and catch the beautiful views of the DeBell Golf course and Burbank.  The 4th bench is about 1 mile up the trail.  This is called "The Saddle" or "4th Bench" by locals.  It's a beautiful spot to take a rest and a drink, and the view of the valley from here is amazing.

The 4th Bench or "The Saddle"

View from the 4th Bench

 At this point the trail splits. You can head left towards the Old Youth Campground or go right towards the radio towers.  For this hike, head right towards the radio towers.

Just past the split.  To the north, the 210 freeway in the distance.  Beyond that, the National Crest Forest.

Keep going up. Right around mile 2, you'll come around a hill and find one of the most amazing views of the valley.

This spot on the trail is called "The View"

Have a rest, and take in the views.  That's downtown in the distance, and Griffith park off to the left.

More views of Griffith Park and Burbank.  That patch of green is Forest Lawn.

If you want to extend your hike, you can keep going another half mile up to the radio towers.