National Recreation Area · California

Trails in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

593 named trails · 656 miles · 154 trailheads · 5 with the Park Service's own write-up. The lines, trailheads and points are the Park Service's; the write-ups are the Service's own words; the climbing is read from USGS elevation along each line.

Open on the parks mapEvery park with trailsPark on nps.gov

593 trails, A to Z.

92 Trail

0.2 mi one way · about 20 ft of climbing · 1,129 ft–1,165 ft

1,135 ft 1,151 ft · 0.1 mi high 1,151 ft

Trailhead 92 Trail at Entrada Rd 1,160 ft Drive there

Baller Motorway

0.7 mi one way · about 30 ft of climbing · 250 ft of descent · 1,654 ft–1,927 ft

1,920 ft 1,654 ft · 0.4 mi high 1,920 ft

Trailhead Corral Cyn Rd/Baller Mtwy 1,898 ft Drive there

Calabasas Connector Trail

5.0 mi one way · about 650 ft of climbing · 1,400 ft of descent · 780 ft–1,540 ft · asphalt surface

1,540 ft 995 ft · 1.5 mi high 1,540 ft

Trailheads Juan Bautista de Anza Trailhead East 948 ft Drive there · Juan Bautista de Anza Trailhead West 798 ft Drive there

Chaparral Trail

0.7 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 350 ft of descent · 514 ft–1,119 ft

Visitor centers

529 ft 514 ft · 0.4 mi high 693 ft

Along the way Malibu Creek State Park

Mishe Mokwa Trail to Split Rock the Park Service's write-up

1-3 Hours · dogs allowed

Start Mishe Mokwa Trail to Split Rock

A rock balanced on the side of a mountain.
Mishe Mokwa Trail Photo: NPS

Moderate, 3.5 miles round trip

Traversing riparian, coastal sage scrub, and chaparral, this trail offers wonderful views of Carlisle Canyon and Balanced Rock. Split Rock’s oak grove offers a shaded spot for picnicking.

Accessibility Gravel parking lots are located on each side of the road at the trailhead. This trail includes a large, wooden step at the entrance, and has various grades of uneven trail throughout the hike. The trail is narrow in some sections as it weaves around the mountainside.

This hike on nps.gov

Cistern Trail

0.2 mi one way · about 20 ft of climbing · 80 ft of descent · 955 ft–1,034 ft

1,012 ft 955 ft · 0.2 mi high 1,034 ft

Trailhead Malibu Ck St Pk/Cistern Trail 1,027 ft Drive there

Crags Road

2.9 mi one way · about 30 ft of climbing · 250 ft of descent · 497 ft–767 ft

683 ft 669 ft · 0.6 mi high 683 ft

Trailhead Malibu Ck St Pk/Crags Dr 773 ft Drive there

Dorothy Drive

0.7 mi one way · about 80 ft of climbing · 463 ft–517 ft · asphalt surface

483 ft 513 ft · 0.4 mi high 517 ft

Trailhead Malibu Ck St Pk/Tapia Park 474 ft Drive there

Glen Trail

0.2 mi one way · about 10 ft of climbing · 851 ft–873 ft

870 ft 864 ft · 0.2 mi high 873 ft

Trailhead BBT - Dead Horse Trail Trailhead 852 ft Drive there

Lake Eleanor Trail

0.4 mi one way · 10 ft of descent · 913 ft–1,010 ft · asphalt surface

1,003 ft 990 ft · 0.2 mi high 1,003 ft

Trailhead White Horse Canyon Trail / Los Robles Trail 915 ft Drive there

Lookout Road

0.8 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 250 ft of descent · 1,050 ft–1,266 ft

1,199 ft 1,168 ft · 0.5 mi high 1,266 ft

Trailhead Malibu Ck St Pk/Lookout Rd 1,034 ft Drive there

Mishe Mokwa Trail

2.3 mi one way · about 550 ft of climbing · 2,236 ft–2,729 ft

2,378 ft 2,677 ft · 1.0 mi high 2,677 ft

Mishe Mokwa Trail to Split Rock the Park Service's write-up

1-3 Hours · dogs allowed

Start Mishe Mokwa Trail to Split Rock

A rock balanced on the side of a mountain.
Mishe Mokwa Trail Photo: NPS

Moderate, 3.5 miles round trip

Traversing riparian, coastal sage scrub, and chaparral, this trail offers wonderful views of Carlisle Canyon and Balanced Rock. Split Rock’s oak grove offers a shaded spot for picnicking.

Accessibility Gravel parking lots are located on each side of the road at the trailhead. This trail includes a large, wooden step at the entrance, and has various grades of uneven trail throughout the hike. The trail is narrow in some sections as it weaves around the mountainside.

This hike on nps.gov

Musch Trail

2.1 mi one way · about 600 ft of climbing · 1,175 ft–1,670 ft · asphalt surface

Campgrounds

1,297 ft 1,665 ft · 0.8 mi high 1,665 ft

Along the way Musch Ranch Hike-In

Trailhead BBT - Topanga State Park Main Entrance 1,192 ft Drive there

Phantom Trail

2.5 mi one way · about 450 ft of climbing · 750 ft of descent · 704 ft–1,443 ft

1,137 ft 720 ft · 0.8 mi high 1,137 ft

Trailhead Malibu Ck St Pk/Phantom Trail 1,024 ft Drive there

Red Rock Road

2.0 mi one way · about 500 ft of climbing · 987 ft–1,543 ft · asphalt surface

1,176 ft 1,478 ft · 0.6 mi high 1,478 ft

Trailhead Red Rock Cyn Entrance 1,086 ft Drive there

Runyon Canyon

0.9 mi one way · about 500 ft of climbing · 553 ft–1,057 ft

736 ft 1,057 ft · 0.5 mi high 1,057 ft

Trailhead Runyon Cyn Trailhead - N Fuller Ave 556 ft Drive there

Saddle Peak Trail

5.0 mi one way · about 2,000 ft of climbing · 723 ft–2,711 ft · asphalt surface

1,990 ft 2,711 ft · 1.1 mi high 2,711 ft

Trailheads BBT - Lois Ewen Overlook 2,369 ft Drive there · BBT - Piuma Rd Hairpin Trailhead 736 ft Drive there

Sage Trail

0.7 mi one way · 350 ft of descent · 299 ft–659 ft

659 ft 500 ft · 0.3 mi high 659 ft

Mishe Mokwa Trail to Split Rock the Park Service's write-up

1-3 Hours · dogs allowed

Start Mishe Mokwa Trail to Split Rock

A rock balanced on the side of a mountain.
Mishe Mokwa Trail Photo: NPS

Moderate, 3.5 miles round trip

Traversing riparian, coastal sage scrub, and chaparral, this trail offers wonderful views of Carlisle Canyon and Balanced Rock. Split Rock’s oak grove offers a shaded spot for picnicking.

Accessibility Gravel parking lots are located on each side of the road at the trailhead. This trail includes a large, wooden step at the entrance, and has various grades of uneven trail throughout the hike. The trail is narrow in some sections as it weaves around the mountainside.

This hike on nps.gov

Satwiwa Loop Trail

1.6 mi one way · about 200 ft of climbing · 820 ft–1,085 ft

1,085 ft 985 ft · 0.3 mi high 1,085 ft

Satwiwa Loop Trail the Park Service's write-up

1-2 Hours · dogs allowed

Start Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa, Satwiwa Loop Trail

Boney Mountain at sunset with rock and cactus in foreground.
Boney Mountain at sunset with rock and cactus in foreground. Photo: NPS

Satwiwa Loop Trail

Easy, 1.5 miles (round-trip)

Stroll through grasslands and chaparral with opportunities to see wildlife. This trail provides great vistas of Sycamore canyon and Boney Mountain. This area was set aside for the preservation and celebration of Native American cultures.

Accessibility With just under 500 feet of elevation gain, this trail has minimal grade changes. It is wide enough for hikers to pass each other comfortably, and the ground is even in most parts. There is a small set of uneven stone steps, as well as a wide, wooden bridge to cross.

This hike on nps.gov

Serrano Road

1.4 mi one way · about 60 ft of climbing · 400 ft of descent · 676 ft–995 ft

995 ft 677 ft · 1.2 mi high 995 ft

Trailhead Serrano Rd Terminus 997 ft Drive there

Solar Drive

1.0 mi one way · about 650 ft of climbing · 628 ft–1,247 ft

628 ft 1,227 ft · 0.8 mi high 1,227 ft

Trailhead Runyon Cyn Rd Trailhead South 598 ft Drive there

Solstice Canyon Trail

1.5 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 250 ft of descent · 61 ft–390 ft · asphalt surface

Picnic areas

245 ft 194 ft · 0.3 mi high 250 ft

Along the way Solstice Canyon

Solstice Canyon Trail the Park Service's write-up

2-3 Hours · dogs allowed

Start Solstice Canyon

Pink sunset over the ocean from a view within Solstice Canyon.
Pink sunset over the ocean from a view within Solstice Canyon. Photo: NPS

Solstice Canyon Trail

Easy to Moderate 2.1 miles, round-trip.

Travel through a beautiful, shaded riparian environment on the Solstice Canyon Trail alongside a year-round creek. Along your hike you’ll discover the historic ruins of an old stone hunting cabin. At the end of the trail, you will come across more ruins with the remains of the Roberts Ranch house, originally constructed by renowned architect, Paul Revere Williams. Follow the path a little further to find the waterfall. For the return hike, climb the switchbacks of the Rising Sun Trail from the ruins to take yourself to the top of Solstice Canyon and hike back with a grand view of the Pacific Ocean.

Accessibility Solstice Canyon offers a variety of trail types including wide, paved fire roads and moderately uneven trails. In some sections, the trails narrow and there are small creek crossings. Several trails offer s shaded areas, as well as benches and picnic tables along the way.

This hike on nps.gov

TRW Loop Trail

1.0 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 250 ft of descent · 133 ft–286 ft · asphalt surface

ViewsPicnic areas

282 ft 155 ft · 0.4 mi high 286 ft

Along the way Solstice Canyon Solstice Canyon - TRW overlook

Unnamed Trail

0.6 mi one way · about 70 ft of climbing · 150 ft of descent · 805 ft–1,208 ft

1,139 ft 1,208 ft · 0.2 mi high 1,208 ft

Trailhead BBT - Topanga State Park Main Entrance 1,192 ft Drive there

Unnamed Wilacre

1.3 mi one way · about 50 ft of climbing · 550 ft of descent · 741 ft–1,189 ft

1,184 ft 992 ft · 0.4 mi high 1,184 ft

Trailhead U-VANU Trail – Shady Oak Rd 739 ft Drive there

4 more mapped segments without a name are on the map, not in the list.

About these trails

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-14 and simplified for the map. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do", unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.