The short trail through Ferndell in Griffith Park is an out-of-the-ordinary walking path for Los Angeles, bordering a stream that nourishes tropical plants under the shade of sycamores. Even when other parts of Griffith Park dry out and turn brown, Ferndell stays lush and green, thanks to the recycled water it receives from Griffith Observatory. The relaxing quarter-mile long trail glides through what is called Ferndell Nature Museum (it doesn’t look much like a museum), located along Fern Dell Drive in Griffith Park’s Western Canyon, a block from the park entrance.

Walking down into the canyon feels like stepping into a pocket of the Pacific Northwest transplanted into Los Angeles. The trail is wide and easy to navigate, even with a dog on leash, and the shade from the canopy keeps things cool on warm days. You’ll hear the water moving along the streambed, which creates a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere given that you’re still within the city limits. The dense vegetation and rocky outcrops give the whole area a hidden quality—most LA visitors never find this spot.

At the top of the Ferndell Trail, you can walk a short distance further to The Trails Cafe and relax with a coffee or tea at a quiet park retreat. This is a good spot to catch your breath before deciding whether to head back or keep exploring. Without much extra effort, the hike can be extended up the bottom of Western Canyon to get more Griffith Park views, taking the outing from half a mile round trip with 65 feet of elevation change to 1.75 miles round trip with 260 feet of elevation change. If your dog is still eager, you can continue all the way up toward Griffith Observatory, which adds significantly more distance and elevation gain. The trail can get muddy after rain, so watch your footing and bring water for your dog.