Amir’s Garden Loop Trail

The Amir’ Garden Loop Trail is 4.5 miles long and includes Vista Del Valle Drive and The Bill Eckart Trail. An elevation gain of 600′ and two long sets of stairs pushes the difficulty up to 7/10. Views of Burbank and Glendale are not especially interesting however Amir’s Garden is a funky spot to get lost in for a little while.

The Parking – Dozens of roadside spots. (34.144528, -118.292889) If you take Griffith Park Drive towards the center of the park towards the Wilson Harding Golf course you will drive past the driving range nets that are right along the road. Where the nets end, park along the road.

The Best Thing – The web of little trails at the top of Amir’s Garden. So many Jade plants and other unusual succulents along with many hidden benches and picnic tables.

The Route – We start up the set of stairs across from the back fence of the driving range. These are wild, homemade steps so don’t bring grandma. At the top scramble about until you reach the main road and then head back down the North Trail to the Mineral Wells area and turn right to run along the road on the Mineral Wells Trail.  When you reach the golf course parking area look up to your right and you will find more stairs. Head up once again!

Obviously this extra loop in unnecessary but we are taking the full tour today. Again at the top check out some trails and when you are done, get over to the main North Trail and head uphill this time. You will see Toyon Canyon where you will turn left, uphill, around Toyon Canyon, and up and up and finally, crumbly, asphalt Vista Del Valle Drive. Turn left and then pretty quickly you will see Bill Eckart Trail to your left.

Back down hill on big Bill Eckart Trail. Wide and gentle this is a nice mellow downhill. At the bottom you have a variety of trail options but today we are turning left on the Mineral Wells Trail. This parallels Griffith Park Drive back to the golf course and then your car. 4.5 miles. Boom.