The hottest new hiking destination

California is known for a lot of things, from film stars to relaxing beaches. But on our last trip out there, we discovered the best places to take a hike.

The great thing about hiking is that it’s suitable for all fitness levels. Whether you’re out for a casual stroll with your dog or you’ve loaded up the backpack, slapped the sunscreen on and laced up in the highest tech boots to take on the altitude, you’ll be able to get something out of it. And California’s a state that can offer hikes that are perfect for beginners or adventure-seekers. We took on three different hikes and here’s the lowdown.

Runyon Canyon

Difficulty level: Easy

Forget the Walk of Fame – this is the best way to experience Hollywood in all its glory. You can hit the clearly marked trails in your regular trainers with a bottle of water in tow, or even throw on a weighted backpack and take the park on at a speed. Because of its urban LA location, you’ll find all sorts of people here, from serious runners to walkers. The one thing they all have in common is friendliness – so it’s the perfect place to master being in the zone while socialising with a wave or two to fellow hikers. And you never know who your fellow hikers might be – the park is known for its celeb sightings. But if you don’t manage to spot stars from the silver screen, you can revel in the breath-taking views of the Hollywood Hills and its extravagant properties, as well as the world-famous Hollywood sign.

Mission Peak

Difficulty level: Moderate

In northern California’s city of Fremont, plenty of locals hit the trails of Mission Peak – not far from Silicon Valley. In fact, the hike itself has some of the best views of the famous area. While you might not be celeb-spotting on this hike, you’ll definitely be getting a dose of nature in an otherwise busy part of California. The meditative hike features incredible views of rolling hills, wildlife and the Mission Peeker summit pole at the very top – a prime Instagram opportunity if ever we’ve seen one. While most of the trails are fairly manageable for all levels, there are some steeper bits that are perfect to push the pace. Rest stops are dotted throughout the paths and you’ll often find hikers, runners and bikers all making good use of them.

Yosemite National Park

Difficulty level: Hard

Yosemite is home to some of the most famous peaks in the States, from the Half Dome to El Capitan. Although the peaks have varying degrees of difficulty, they’re all fairly challenging and are ideal ways to combine your workout with your experience of nature in one of America’s most iconic sites. Your workout is going to be intense, and packing energy foods and drinks is paramount. The terrain varies from rocky formations to dusty trails – so be prepared when choosing footwear. The views you can expect are completely unrivalled – imagine panoramic picturesque landscapes that genuinely could not be improved by any amount of photoshopping, filters or editing. And these will be on show throughout your entire hike. And if wildlife’s your thing, you’ll find badgers, moles and maybe even a black bear or two! Heading out for the day during daylight isn’t uncommon, but more hardcore hikers set up camp to get the full experience.