Verdant Victory

Hiking Upper Las Virgenes Canyon in Los Angeles County

03.16.2017
A woman looks out to the green hills at Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve in Los Angeles County

Browns and beiges are out of season in lush Woodland Hills, where Victory Trailhead launches you into a sea of rolling green on a spectacular 3.6-mile loop hike or bike ride in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve.

A woman is hiking a trail surrounded by greenery at Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve in Los Angeles County

From the parking lot, saunter along the main trail to the first fork, where you snake down a dirt pathway to stay on the main trail. The San Fernando Valley cityscape vanishes and you are engulfed by ever richer shades of green. Bear left at a trash can and scurry downhill where the main road continues straight. As you reach the next intersection, continue along the main trail, and as it steepens, remind yourself of that Guinness that awaits like a pot of gold at rainbow’s end. Hang a left and left again, swooping in a broad U, then keep right along the main trail, which becomes soft sand as you tread up the slight incline. Stay left at the next intersection, passing a field of blossoming cacti.

A mountain bike rider stops on a wide dirt trail to take in the green scenery at Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve in Los Angeles County

From this high point, you spy a view of the Santa Monica Mountains layered in a light green blanket of chaparral, violet blooms, and wild grasses. Descend the hill to the parking lot, and get ready for your libation reward.

GET YOUR GUINNESS: Numero Uno Tavern on the corner of Victory Boulevard and Valley Circle serves pints of draft Guinness and pretzels with cheddar beer cheese to die for!

To reach the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve Victory Trailhead, take US-101 to the Valley Circle exit. Continue on Valley Circle Blvd. to Victory Blvd., turn left, and proceed to the parking lot. Parking in the lot is $3, but street parking is available. If this is your first time hiking this trail, we recommend doing it with lots of daylight since cell service is limited, and you might find yourself spending time navigating the maze of trails. Gates close after sundown. Dog-friendly!

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