Dante’s View

A Garden Built by Hand

Walk the stone-lined paths at Dante’s View and you’re following trails laid by hand in 1964. Dante Orgolini, a Brazilian immigrant who settled in Los Angeles, discovered this spot on the Mount Hollywood Trail and saw potential where others saw bare hillside. He spent 14 years terracing the slope, hauling rocks, and planting trees. Fellow hikers and park rangers pitched in. The result was a folk garden—a rest stop built by volunteers rather than city planners.

The original pines, palms, and pepper trees burned in fires that swept through Griffith Park in 1990 and 2007. What remains tells a different story: winding stone paths, low retaining walls, and rock planters that have weathered decades. A memorial plaque reads “From the many friends of Dante Orgolini, 1905-1978, honoring the memory of the man who created this garden for you and me.”

The Trail Stop Experience

Dante’s View sits roughly midway along several routes to Mount Hollywood’s summit. Most hikers reach it from Griffith Observatory via the Charlie Turner Trail, a moderately challenging 3.5-mile round trip with 700 feet of elevation gain. The garden appears after about 45 minutes of climbing—a welcome sight when your water bottle is getting light.

Benches and picnic tables dot the terraced area. A water fountain provides refills (check current status before relying on it). The shade here contrasts sharply with the exposed fire roads most hikers have just climbed. Palm trees and newer plantings provide some cover, though nothing like the original forest Orgolini cultivated.

The views justify the climb. Downtown Los Angeles spreads south and east. The Griffith Observatory’s white dome sits visible below. On clear days, the Pacific Ocean glints in the distance, and Catalina Island becomes a faint outline on the horizon. Mornings offer the best visibility before afternoon haze settles over the basin.

Getting There

Multiple trailheads lead to Dante’s View. The shortest route starts at Griffith Observatory’s north parking lot, following the Charlie Turner Trail uphill. Arrive before 9:30 a.m. on weekends to secure parking, or use the Greek Theatre lot and catch the DASH Observatory shuttle for 50 cents.

Alternatively, start from the Glendale Peak Trailhead off Vermont Canyon Road for a longer loop that passes through Berlin Forest. This route adds distance but delivers more varied scenery. Expect minimal shade on all approaches—bring sun protection and more water than you think you need.

The trails themselves are well-maintained fire roads and single-track paths. Steep sections get slippery after rain. Rattlesnakes live in Griffith Park, though encounters on busy trails remain rare. Dogs can join you on leash.

Plan for 1.5 to 2 hours round trip from the Observatory, longer if you continue to Mount Hollywood’s summit. Early morning and late afternoon provide cooler temperatures and softer light for photos. Weekday mornings see fewer crowds than weekend afternoons.

Griffith Park’s gates close at 10 p.m., so time any sunset hikes accordingly if someone is picking you up. Cell service gets spotty on the trails—download maps beforehand.