Hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains

Stretching through Malibu toward downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains are a beautiful coastal range packed with enticing trails. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area spans 40 miles west to east across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties from Point Mugu to Griffith Park. A network of federal, state, and city parks protect over 150,000 acres of the Santa Monica Mountains, offering miles and miles of hiking trails. ... Read more.
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Los Angeles

Talepop Loop
in Malibu Creek State Park

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Talepop Loop in Malibu Creek State Park
Talepop Loop explores the north end of Malibu Creek State Park through a region long inhabited by Chumash Indians who had a village here named Talepop. Hikers today are exposed to signs of modern humanity like ranches and electric lines, but despite being suspiciously close to two major roadways, Talepop Trail escapes the man-made world to explore a beautiful patch of the Santa Monica Mountains. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Agoura Hills · California State Parks · Free Trails · Malibu · Malibu Creek State Park · Mountain Biking Trails · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 4.75 miles · Elevation change: 500 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: December 28, 2010 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Los Angeles

Grassland Trail to Crags Road and Rock Pool
in Malibu Creek State Park

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Grassland Trail to Crags Road and Rock Pool in Malibu Creek State Park
South Grassland Trail enters Malibu Creek State Park from Mulholland Highway, providing a scenic stroll over rolling hills. The trail ends at Crags Road, the major hiking artery through the park. If you are familiar with hiking out of the main parking lot, starting on the Grassland Trail adds about 0.9 miles to those hikes. By entering on Grassland Trail, visitors also avoid driving into the park and paying the vehicle entry fee. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Agoura Hills · California State Parks · Creeks · Free Trails · Malibu · Malibu Creek State Park · Mountain Biking Trails · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 3 miles · Elevation change: 125 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: December 26, 2010 Last updated: April 10, 2026
Los Angeles

Santa Ynez Canyon Trail to Eagle Rock
in the Santa Monica Mountains

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Santa Ynez Canyon Trail to Eagle Rock in the Santa Monica Mountains
The craggy sandstone summit of Eagle Rock rises over Topanga State Park, delivering panoramic views of the Santa Monica Mountains. The shortest trail to awesome prominence is a four-mile hike from Trippet Ranch to Eagle Rock. For a more challenging trek, explore this 7.4-mile round trip hike ascending 1,400 feet from Santa Ynez Canyon to the 1,957-foot summit of Eagle Rock. ...Read more.
Tagged with · California State Parks · Creeks · Free Trails · Pacific Palisades · Summits · Topanga · Santa Monica Mountains · Topanga State Park
Distance: 7.4 miles · Elevation change: 1400 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: November 14, 2010 Last updated: April 18, 2026
Los Angeles

Castro Crest from Corral Canyon Road through Upper Solstice Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Castro Crest from Corral Canyon Road through Upper Solstice Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains
Between Corral Canyon Road and Castro Crest, the Backbone Trail passes though a remote segment of the Santa Monica Mountains know as Upper Solstice Canyon. While it is possible to feel quite removed at the bottom of this trail, the high ridges on both ends provide such sweeping views as to immediately restore your sense of place. From Corral Canyon Road to Castro Crest is 5. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Agoura Hills · Backbone Trail · Free Trails · Malibu · Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area · Dog-Friendly Trails · Mountain Biking Trails · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 5.5 miles · Elevation change: 540 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: November 12, 2010 Last updated: December 7, 2025
Los Angeles

Castro Crest from Latigo Canyon Road
in the Santa Monica Mountains

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Castro Crest from Latigo Canyon Road in the Santa Monica Mountains
Castro Crest is located 1.4 miles from Latigo Canyon Road up a pleasant section of the Backbone Trail. The crest offers excellent views over Malibu's Santa Monica Mountains, with the option to continue another half-mile up Castro Peak. The summit may not be reached however, as it is privately owned and extremely closed to the public. Another popular extension is to continue on the Backbone Trail for another 2. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Backbone Trail · Free Trails · Malibu · Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area · Dog-Friendly Trails · Mountain Biking Trails · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 3.8 miles · Elevation change: 650 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: November 11, 2010 Last updated: December 9, 2025
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