Zuma Ridge Trail | Malibu

Zuma Ridge Trail
in the Santa Monica Mountains

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Zuma Ridge Trail

The Zuma Ridge Trail is a wide dirt service road, which weaves northwest up the back of the ridge west of Zuma Canyon. The hike starts at the base of the flood plane, but quickly leaves the shrubby canyon for grassy mountain slopes. The views improve as the trail climbs, offering several great lookouts over Zuma Beach, Point Dune, Malibu High School, and the ocean beyond.

Zuma Ridge Road swings north providing long views west of Trancas Canyon. After 2.7 miles (and 1500 feet of elevation gain), the trail comes to a marked intersection with Edison Road. Enjoy this perched view of Upper Zuma Canyon and evaluate the options.

Option 1, the obvious one, is to turn around, for a 5.4-mile out-and-back.
Option 2 is to continue straight ahead, dropping 1,000 feet over an additional 3.2 miles to Encinal Canyon Road for a possible car port.
Option 3 is to turn right on Edison Road and take the long way home, dropping down into Zuma Canyon and climbing up the opposite ridge. To complete this 10.6-mile loop, hike the Edison Road for 3.9 miles and turn right on the Zuma Canyon Connection Trail, Take this to Ocean View Trail and descend to the Bonsall Trailhead. To return to the Busch Trailhead at the base of Zuma Ridge Trail, take the 0.6-mile Ridge-Canyon Access Trail (off the Zuma Loop Trail).
Option 4, typically completed in the opposite direction, involves an off-trail trek through the Zuma Canyon narrows to get back to Zuma Canyon Trail for an 8-mile round-trip loop.

Zuma Ridge Trail

The Zuma Ridge Trail leads to less-traveled corners of the Santa Monica Mountains. Parking at the trailhead and the views of the Pacific are free, so get out and enjoy!

To get to the trailhead: Follow PCH to Malibu and make a right on Busch Drive (about a mile west of Kanan Dune Road and just before Zuma Beach). Drive north on Busch Drive, turning right at the second intersection to remain on Busch Drive. The trailhead starts at the dirt parking lot at the end of the road.

The Zuma Ridge Trail is also reachable from the adjacent Bonsall Road Trailhead, which also services Zuma Canyon. Those starting from Bonsall Road should take the Zuma Loop Trail, which connects to the Zuma Ridge Trail after 0.4 miles.

Use the map below to create your own directions:

View Los Angeles Hikes in a larger map

	Zuma Canyon Trail This 2.8-mile hike leaves a coastal Malibu neighborhood to explore rustic Zuma Canyon.
	Zuma Canyon Narrows – Zuma Ridge Loop This off-trail trek crosses the narrow canyon between Zuma Canyon Trail and Edison Road. Hikers may return along the Zuma Ridge Trail to form a challenging 8-mile loop.
	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.

Similar Trails

	Calabasas Peak This 3.6-mile hike travels an easy-to-follow fire road, climbing 1000 feet to panoramic views of the Santa Monica Mountains and San Fernando Valley.
	Parker Mesa Overlook This steep out-and-back hike rewards the effort with excellent views of the Pacific Ocean.
	Sandstone Peak This 6.25-mile loop summits the tallest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains.
	La Jolla Canyon Loop This 11.75-mile hike explores Point Mugu State Park on the west end of the Santa Monica Mountains, offering extraordinary ocean views.