Vital Link Trail

From I-5, take the Burbank Blvd exit. Drive north on Burbank Blvd. and take a right on N 3rd. Left on E Harvard. Right on Wildwood Canyon after 1.5 miles.

There are a few ways you can begin your hike: from the parking lot, the entrance will be to the left past the gate. Here you were have a steep climb for a half mile that will then connect to the Vital Link Trail. Another is driving through the gate on Wildwood Canyon Road where you can park and start the hike with a wide service road.

The Vital Link Trail at Wildwood Canyon Park is an athletic one. In a mile and a half, you will have ascended 1,275ft. For this reason, it may not be exactly the go-to spot for families, but it is perfect for a nature-seeker who also wants to get a workout in. Roundtrip the hike can be completed in 2 hours. During this hike you will be treated to panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley, with downtown Los Angeles peaking out in the distance. Be prepared for a no-shade hike with plenty of water and sunblock, perhaps a hat. The only seating I found was midway up. There is a picnic table and beautiful views. Suggestion: bring a book, sit here and soak it all in.

There is no permit needed, and no payment to park, which is great and it's a steep trail, so do some stretches before hand.