August 25, 2003

The Path Less Beaten

Localhikes.com

Is there no limit to the pleasure of a good hike?

Fresh air. Physical challenge. Spectacular vistas. Running into your dog walker, the bouncer at last night’s bar, and that awful blind date you never intended to call back.

Maybe it’s time to give Runyon a rest.

But where to start? Localhikes.com can help you break new ground. With reviews of 116 hiking trails in the Los Angeles area, they’ll provide you with all the necessary information to find the perfect trails for your interests and skill level. Each hike is described in detail with highlights (bodies of water, notable flora and fauna), timed, ranked according to difficulty, rated for the quality of its views, and mapped for easy findability. Dog owners can check to see which trails permit pooches. A recent foray to a recommended locale in Malibu yielded what you might call a blissful hike: lovely views, a moderate workout, a breathtaking waterfall …

And not one familiar face.

For more information, go to localhikes.com.