Zuma Canyon Narrows – Zuma Ridge Loop
in the Santa Monica Mountains
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This demanding 8-mile loop includes two miles off-trail, trekking through a lush untamed canyon. Begin the loop on Zuma Canyon Trail. The sandy single track traverses a brushy open space, crossing and following a stony creek bed. After 1.4 miles, Zuma Canyon narrows and the trail dissolves. The true challenge begins!
From the end of Zuma Canyon Trail, it is two miles to the next maintained path, an Edison Fire Road. In between lies an arduous, two to three hour crossing. There is thick brush to push through, boulders to climb over, and pools of water to navigate around (or wade through in the wet season). The canyon floor is a mere hundred feet across for much of the duration, leaving few options when plotting a course. Occasionally there is a thin deer trail to follow, but for the most part, hiker-explorers must make their own way. Tall cattails, ferns, and other shrubs add to the challenge, while well-watered willows, oaks, bays, and sycamores stretch skyward, further entrapping hikers and limiting views.
Zuma Canyon Narrows
Plot ahead up the overgrown canyon as it twists and turns, remaining on the look out for deep mud and poison oak. Standing in the dense vegetation, breathing in the canyon-trapped humidity, can make a hiker wish they had a machete. Progress is slow going and judging distances traveled is difficult.
The sandstone boulders increase in mass and the canyon levels out and approaches the Edison Fire Road. The intersection is impossible to miss, and will come as a relief after such a long struggle.
Those eager to spend more time in the thick of things can venture up Zuma Canyon as far as the 25-foot tall Newton Canyon Falls beneath Kanan Dune Road.
To return, turn left on the road toward Zuma Ridge. Free from the jungle in the Canyon, the 1,000-foot climb up the wide dirt road may not seem so bad. The sun-exposed Edison Road snakes its way up the ridge offering expending views over Zuma Canyon.
At the top, turn left on Zuma Ridge Road. It is all down hill from here, so enjoy the ocean views over this 2.7-mile descent. At the bottom, take the marked Ridge-Canyon Access Trail for 0.6 miles to return to Bonsall Trailhead.
To get to the trailhead: Take PCH to Malibu and make a right on Bonsall Drive, one mile west of Kanan Dune Road (If you pass Zuma Beach, you have gone too far). Drive north on Bonsall Drive for one more mile to the dirt parking lot at the end of the road. The trail leaves from the northwest corner of the lot.
Use the map below to create your own directions:
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Photos
Zuma Canyon Trail
Zuma Canyon Narrows
Edison Fire Road
Zuma Ridge Trail
Nearby Trails
 | Zuma Canyon Trail This 2.8-mile hike leaves a coastal Malibu neighborhood to explore rustic Zuma Canyon. |
 | Zuma Ridge Trail 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. |
 | Ocean View Trail – Canyon View Trail Loop This 3-mile loop demands more effort than the Zuma Canyon Trail and provides great ocean and canyon views. |
 | More trails in the Santa Monica Mountains Explore other destinations in the range. |
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Could this be an okay hike for a German Shepherd, or are the boulders too big?
Generally, I would not recommend this hike for dogs. Then again, your German shepherd might have an easier time than you. The canyon is very overgrown and challenging to pass through.
Hmm, okay. 2 more questions: (1) Are dogs allowed (legally)? I know some parks do not allow them. (2) Are there any boulders to climb over (6 feet or higher) — my dog can get through a cluttered path but cannot climb huge rocks. Thanks!