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Print Friendly MapEnjoy the 15.7-mile trek across various Los Angeles neighborhoods on a former Southern Pacific Railroad corridor by exploring the Orange Line Bike Path.
This rail trail traverses dense neighborhoods, heavily trafficked roads, and light industrial areas. What it lacks in beauty, it makes up for in functionality. There are many heavily trafficked at-grade road crossings that will take some patience to cross, but they are all signalized.
The path provides residents of the San Fernando Valley with a dedicated environment for cycling and walking while connecting to rapid transit. Steps from its eastern terminus is the North Hollywood Metro Station, while near its western end is the Chatsworth Station, which services Metrolink and Amtrak.
Although its purpose is utilitarian, the trail is not without its charms. Native plants line the pathway, as well as public art. The trail also runs adjacent to Anthony C. Beilenson Park, which features Lake Balboa, a playground, picnic tables, a sports complex, and other recreational amenities.
About the Route
The Orange Line Bike Path follows the G Line (formerly Orange Line) rapid bus route’s dedicated corridor, meaning LA traffic is not a concern here. With bus stations and bike lockers along the entire trail, traveling by a combination of bike and bus is a breeze. The buses all have bike racks, so trail users can bike the entire route, or put their bike on the bus, and take it back to where their original starting point.
The path starts in the north in the Chatsworth neighborhood and heads south along the bus corridor. In the Woodland Hills neighborhood, the trail swings east but continues along the same corridor.
The path then leads trail users east to the sprawling Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, which includes a lake, boat, and bike rentals, a Japanese garden, an archery range, a model aircraft field, a golf course, sports fields, parking, and restrooms.
Continuing east from the park is a wide, tree-lined segment, followed by a unique portion where the trail weaves beneath the elevated infrastructure of I-405. The route then takes you away from the street for some much-needed peace and quiet.
The trail reaches its southeastern end at Chandler Boulevard and Leghorn Avenue.
Connections
At the trail's northern endpoint, it connects to the Brown's Creek Bike Path.
At the Sepulveda Basin, the trail connects to the Los Angeles River Trail.
The Orange Line Bike Path runs between Lassen St. (Chatsworth) and Chandler Blvd. (Los Angeles).
Parking is available at:
The Los Angeles Metro provides access to the trail at multiple points.
Parking is available at the Sepulveda Basin Sports Complex (6301 Balboa Blvd, 6201 Balboa Blvd, Los Angeles)
Please see TrailLink map for all parking options and detailed directions.
I use this bike path quite often to "save legs" on my bicycle rides when heading to Santa Monica Mountains or the Valley Circle loop. Since it's mostly flat.
It's good but not perfect, for families with kids riding recreational it's great, for road cyclists not much, the asphalt have some big cracks on some areas specially near the beginning at Chandler all the way to Sepulveda Blvd area.
Some areas like the Burbank Blvd where there is the Valley Community College crossing can be annoying due to the really slow traffic lights (and traffic lights are a constant and take really long times to change).
Between Van Nuys Blvd and Lake Balboa you have some areas that I personally would avoid in less busy hours with many homeless on the surrounds and some really desert spots (it was worst in the middle of the pandemic, today is a bit better but still I would not ride too late or after sun is down around that area).
Not Water stations thru the path but many Gas Stations and Liquor Stores you can buy water on the way...
Tip: After Canoga the Bike Path goes up the Valley so if you plan to go West towards Calabasas, I recommend not going the Victory Blvd (specially on the Westfield area the asphalt is terrible, drivers don't respect and the sidewalk is completely destroyed, go South on Canoga to Ventura Blvd and use it's bike lane... Not ideal but much better and relatively safer.
It's a great family trail very easy
Only downside is the amount of stopping at lights for major streets. You can add some quick mileage if you do the Balboa Park loop once or twice (about 7 miles each loop). Water is scarce on the trail itself but Balboa Park is a good pit stop. I like to park at Canoga Station and leave from there
I rode this path today and really enjoyed it. Smooth, paved path. Downside is getting there Toluca Lake. You have to ride a few miles in traffic, which is stressful. And there are a lot of stop lights along the trail. But otherwise, I really enjoyed it. Pretty flat and easy ride.
Great bike trail that connects to Balboa Park
this path is a fun and easy way to enjoy a day of riding. And a way to comute with lockup bike racks for commuters.
It's safe and the ride though Balboa Park is very nice. from woodland Hills to N Hollywood ride stop for a bite to eat and head for home on a path that is wide and safe. Enjoy.
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