Lykken Good!

Hiking to brunch in Palm Springs

A hike followed by brunch? Always a good idea! Palm Springs’ go-to hike for gaining wild views and getting back to the city in time for brunch is North Lykken Trail. The path traces high above Palm Canyon Drive. Using two trailheads, you can link together a hike on North Lykken with a stroll down Palm Springs’ main drag. All in, it’s 4.8 miles (round-trip). Start at the end of Ramon Road, then hike north and uphill on Lykken Trail. As you climb, your perspective widens to a 180-degree cityscape studded with thousands of signature green palm trees. At 1.6 miles, turn right at an obvious fork marked by a four-foot-high rock pile. Pause at a high overlook with a few weather-beaten picnic tables, then start your descent on Museum Trail.

The path drops a merciless 1,000 feet in 1.2 miles, then bottoms out at the Palm Springs Art Museum parking lot. Stop in for a little culture, or walk one block east to Palm Canyon Drive, then turn right to saunter back to Ramon Road, where you’ll find all kinds of options for food and drink.

Drive south on South Palm Canyon Dr. and turn right on Ramon Rd. Drive 0.6 mile to its end and park along the road. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Hiker overlooking Bear Gulch Reservoir at Pinnacles National Park near Monterey

    Pinnacles of Spring

    Why hike at Pinnacles National Park? Spring's a beautiful time of year here. And you might spy the magnificent California condor soaring while you gain soaring views from the High Peaks Trail.

    View
  2. Swing into Spring

    Swing into this 7.1-mile hike in the hills of Half Moon Bay! It’s got gorgeous views, fields of spring wildflowers, and a hidden rustic tree swing.

    View
  3. Talk of the Town

    We're spilling the tea on this bountiful 5.5-mile loop to Gossip Rock in Hayward’s Garin Regional Park (currently whispering all the right springtime notes).

    View
  4. woman hiking the Mendocino Headlands State Park

    Heads Up, Headlands!

    There’s one thing that’s pretty much mandatory when you visit Mendocino and that’s a hike along the famous bluffs. The trail system at Mendocino Headlands State Park is vast, surrounding the village and meandering for miles, with sweeping sea panoramas.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. The Beauty of Bainbridge Island

    You know a place is special when locals head to it for their in-state vacations. Follow the lead of Seattleites and venture to beautiful Bainbridge Island in the heart of Puget Sound on the Kitsap Peninsula. Hike the Grand Forest here, meet Pia the Peacekeeper, and enjoy tasty food and drinks.

    View
  2. Caves in Mojave

    No one expects to see caves when they visit the desert, and that’s part of what makes Mitchell Caverns in the Mojave Desert such an interesting place. Go on a two-hour guided adventure tour through Mitchell Caverns in Providence Mountains State Recreation Area.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Spring Up to These Amazing Events

    Shake it up, shake it all the way up to this sunniest city in the state for the most unique and fun-fueled events. Redding is true Northern California, surrounded by famous mountains, nearby national parks and recreation areas, and the sparkling Sacramento River.

    View
  4. Dume in Bloom

    During wildflower season, nature puts on a spectacular show, and one the best places to see it is at Point Dume Natural Preserve in Malibu. 

    View