Lykken Good!

Hiking to brunch in Palm Springs

02.02.2017

A hike followed by brunch? Always a good idea! Palm Springs’ go-to hike for gaining wild views and getting back to the city in time for brunch is North Lykken Trail. The path traces high above Palm Canyon Drive. Using two trailheads, you can link together a hike on North Lykken with a stroll down Palm Springs’ main drag. All in, it’s 4.8 miles (round-trip). Start at the end of Ramon Road, then hike north and uphill on Lykken Trail. As you climb, your perspective widens to a 180-degree cityscape studded with thousands of signature green palm trees. At 1.6 miles, turn right at an obvious fork marked by a four-foot-high rock pile. Pause at a high overlook with a few weather-beaten picnic tables, then start your descent on Museum Trail.

The path drops a merciless 1,000 feet in 1.2 miles, then bottoms out at the Palm Springs Art Museum parking lot. Stop in for a little culture, or walk one block east to Palm Canyon Drive, then turn right to saunter back to Ramon Road, where you’ll find all kinds of options for food and drink.

Drive south on South Palm Canyon Dr. and turn right on Ramon Rd. Drive 0.6 mile to its end and park along the road. Dog-friendly!

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