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Lisa goes hiking in the Hollywood Hills for a bird's eye view over Los Angeles - and for a workout along the way.

by Lisa Francesca Nand

Two minutes into my first hike in the Hollywood hills and I’ve just strutted past Joely Richardson.

Decked head to toe in slimming black (it’s not as if she needs it) and not even breaking a sweat she sauntered past me at impressive speed.

If that isn’t a sign I am on the right track for celeb-style fitness I don’t know what else is.

I’ve come to Runyon Canyon and donned fitness gear at an unfeasibly early hour of the morning (okay, 9am, but hey I have jet lag) on the advice of just about every celebrity fitness interview I’ve ever read.

‘Oh I eat whatever I want but I go hiking....’ (or words to that effect) Lindsay, Cameron, Jennifer et al have all been known to exclaim.

Gossip magazines will then suggest to us that they don’t really eat whatever they like, unless what they really get a kick out of is a macrobiotic lettuce leaf sandwich, hold the bread, but hiking always seems to be listed as one Hollywood’s finest’s favourite fitness pursuits.

As far as I’m concerned hiking is what you do in a wax jacket, somewhere in the Lake District with nothing but an ordnance survey map and a flask of strong tea to aid survival.

But no, hiking it seems is something infinitely more glamorous.

Well it is if you’re in LA, which I am. It is to that end that I nipped off to the nearest mall yesterday to invest in something that wasn’t washed-grey and baggy, showered and put on full make-up and set out towards Runyon Canyon to ascend a few hills.

Hollywood Hills: Home to that famous sign

→ Next Page: Was that Ewan McGregor??

Yoga with your yoghurt

Despite rumours to the contrary they’re a trusting bunch these Hollywood types; at the entrance of the park there’s a trust-based snack shop– cold bottled water, cereal bars, fruit and doggy treats all laid out on a table next to a price list and a money box.

I resisted the urge to indulge in a portable breakfast as I have a hot date with a pancake house lined up for later but decided water was probably a good idea being that even at this time of year it can get pretty hot.

To add to the general feeling of goodwill there’s a notice just inside the Fuller Avenue entrance that lists the times of the daily free yoga session offered on a cornered off lawn.

This state-owned park stretches over 160 acres and offers several hiking routes.

I chose to go anti-clockwise and up a steep hill as, being that this trial only takes about 45 minutes, I figure I should be able to handle it.

As well as Joely Richardson I am pretty sure I saw Ewan McGregor and a couple of people from House and ER but I can’t be sure, everyone has a peaked cap on and huge sunglasses.

Was it him? Lisa's sure she saw Ewan McGregor!

There are some seriously fit people carrying weighted packs and showing off their rippling muscles, but it’s not nearly as intimidating as I thought it might be and it’s all very relaxed.

Well, as relaxed as you can get when trekking up a small mountain.

Fitness wise, I can see how this would be helpful.

With far-reaching views of LA curving up towards the Hollywood sign at the top this walk is truly exhilarating.

There are plenty of other routes to take so you wouldn’t get bored and you can take it at whatever pace you need to.

With the wind blowing back my hair and the warming sun on my face it certainly beats being locked up inside a sweaty gym.

Of course it must help when you have a driver to drop you off at the gate and you don’t have an office to go to afterwards however if I had this type of outdoor playground on my doorstep I would probably be doing it every day too.

Now, if I could just afford that personal trainer...

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