Calabasas Peak
in the Santa Monica Mountains
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Calabasas Peak offers panoramic views of the Santa Monica Mountains, Red Rock Canyon, and a sliver of the Pacific Ocean. In the other direction, the peak looks down on the city of Calabasas and a wide stretch of the San Fernando Valley. The 3.6-mile round-trip hike to Calabasas Peak travels an easy-to-follow fire road. There is 1000 feet of elevation gain along the way, but that effort is rewarded by great views at every turn.
Cold Creek Canyon
The wide dirt trail leaves Stunt Road and rises up to an early U-turn that looks down on Cold Creek Canyon. Views of this round valley improve as the trail turns north and levels out. At the half mile point comes the hike’s one and only junction. To the right, Red Rock Mountainway descends into Red Rock Canyon Park. Feel free to have a rest here on the bench before continuing straight ahead toward Calabasas Peak.
Long ribs of porous sandstone run down the southeast side of the peak breaking up the lush green hillside
The trail swings to the left before winding back in the other direction. The moderate ascent becomes more earnest, gaining 500 feet in the last mile. A group of sandstone formations just beneath the true summit offer immense views and make for a natural stopping point.
The Calabasas Peak Mountainway crosses the summit and descends the north side of Calabasas Peak down to Old Topanga Road. No need to continue this way though. To get back to the trailhead, simply return the way you came.
The geography around Calabasas Peak makes this area an ideal candidate for bouldering. Those up for a bit of off-trail adventure can make their way across the sandstone slabs, carefully exploring their interesting outcroppings, along a more direct path from the summit down to the trail below.
To get to the trailhead: From the 101 freeway, exit Las Virgenes Road and head south toward Malibu. After 2.8 miles turn left, (east) on Mulholland Highway. After 4 miles, turn right on to Stunt Road and drive one mile. There is plentiful parking along the right side of the road at the trailhead for Stunt High Trail. The trail to Calabasas Peak starts up the gated fire road on the opposite side of Stunt Road.
From the PCH, take Malibu Canyon Road until it becomes Las Virgenes Road. Turn right on to Mulholland Highway and take that to Stunt Road as described above.
Another option for those coming from the west side is to take the PCH north to Las Flores Road (Across from Duke’s restaurant), drive 3.4 miles up this narrow twisting canyon and turn right onto Rambla Pacifico St. After 0.6 miles make a sharp right onto Schueren Rd. and descend the backside of the mountain for 5 miles to arrive at the parking for Calabasas Peak from the other direction. This scenic route offers a high view on Malibu and the Pacific.
Use the map below to create your own directions.
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Nearby Trails
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Stunt High Trail to Saddle Peak This 8.2-mile hike combines Stunt High Trail and a section of the Backbone Trail to visit the 6th tallest summit in the Santa Monica Mountains. |
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The trails in the beautifully sculpted Red Rock Canyon are 2.5 and 5.2 miles in length. |
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This 2-mile visits the site of an old fire tower that still offers great views of the surrounding mountains. |
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This 2-mile hike approaches Saddle Peak from the east. |
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This adventure hike explores the C-shaped gorge between Rock Pool and Century Lake in Malibu Creek State Park. |
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More trails in the Santa Monica Mountains Explore other destinations in the range. |
Similar Trails
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This 6-mile loop summits the tallest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains. |
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This 2.6-mile loop offers a variety of scenery and decent exercise, despite its relative brevity. |
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This wide dirt service road which weaves northwest up the back of the ridge west of Zuma Canyon offering access to several trails in the area. |
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