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Santa Monica Mountains NRA

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Gems in Santa Monica Mountains NRA - 3

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gem Favorite Clouds begin to fill the sky looking north from Sandstone Peak.

Sandstone Peak

(6) Casa Co…, CA
gem Favorite Balanced rock, viewable from afar as well as up close like this. Very cool landmark.

Echo Cliffs and Balanced Rock

(4) Casa Co…, CA
gem Favorite Murphy Ranch

Murphy Ranch

(7) Santa M…, CA

Recommended Routes in Santa Monica Mountains NRA - 39

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RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Parker Mesa Overlook looking South.
Intermediate/Difficult

Parker Mesa Overlook

7.5 mi 12.1 km • 1,469' Up 447.84 m Up • 1,471' Down 448.44 m Down

Las Flores, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Balanced rock, viewable from afar as well as up close like this. Very cool landmark.
Intermediate/Difficult

Sandstone Peak Loop

6.1 mi 9.8 km • 1,144' Up 348.65 m Up • 1,144' Down 348.63 m Down

Thousan…, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite A gorgeous day and spectacular views make for a wonderful time on the Ray Miller / Backbone Trail!
Intermediate

Ray Miller at Pt. Mugu

5.5 mi 8.8 km • 964' Up 293.88 m Up • 963' Down 293.67 m Down

Camarillo, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Nice view from Crags Road.
Intermediate

M.A.S.H Out-and-Back

4.8 mi 7.7 km • 226' Up 68.94 m Up • 226' Down 68.98 m Down

Agoura, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Amazing view of Santa Monica, you can see Catalina Island on the left side of the photo
Intermediate/Difficult

Inspiration Point - Rustic Canyon Loop

5.1 mi 8.2 km • 906' Up 276.04 m Up • 907' Down 276.43 m Down

Santa M…, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Madonna Rock
Intermediate

Solstice Canyon Loop

2.9 mi 4.7 km • 676' Up 206.06 m Up • 664' Down 202.42 m Down

Malibu, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite A gorgeous day and spectacular views make for a wonderful time on the Ray Miller / Backbone Trail!
Difficult

Tough Mugu

16.0 mi 25.7 km • 2,297' Up 700.26 m Up • 2,308' Down 703.49 m Down

Camarillo, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Nice and shady. Lots of trees!
Intermediate

Sullivan Canyon Loop

10.9 mi 17.5 km • 1,518' Up 462.65 m Up • 1,488' Down 453.48 m Down

Santa M…, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Traversing the Canyon View Trail overlooking Malibu and the Pacific Ocean
Intermediate/Difficult

Zuma Ridge/Canyon Loop

11.1 mi 17.9 km • 2,696' Up 821.65 m Up • 2,718' Down 828.38 m Down

Malibu, CA

Santa Monica Mountains NRA Running

  • 594 Miles 956 Kilometers of Trail
  • 39 Recommended Routes
  • 3 Gems Gems
  • 67 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 125 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 31 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Areas Within Santa Monica Mountains NRA

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Trails in Santa Monica Mountains NRA - 184

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0.6 mi 0.9 km #1Los Liones Trail
Easy/Intermediate
Las Flores, CA
Easy/Intermediate
Las Flores, CA 2 
1.2 mi 1.9 km #2Grotto Trail
Difficult
Casa Conejo, CA
Difficult
Casa Conejo, CA 1 
0.7 mi 1.1 km #3Triunfo Lookout Access Trail
Intermediate
Casa Conejo, CA
Intermediate
Casa Conejo, CA 1 
1.1 mi 1.8 km #4Hidden Valley Overlook Trail
Difficult
Casa Conejo, CA
Difficult
Casa Conejo, CA 1 
4.5 mi 7.2 km #5Dearing Mountain Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
Universal City, CA
Intermediate/Difficult
Universal City, CA 5 
2.2 mi 3.6 km #6Rivas Canyon Trail
Intermediate
Santa Monica, CA
Intermediate
Santa Monica, CA 3 
68.8 mi 110.7 km #7Backbone Trail
Difficult
Camarillo, CA
Difficult
Camarillo, CA 6 
1.3 mi 2.1 km #8Los Liones Trail
Intermediate
Las Flores, CA
Intermediate
Las Flores, CA 5 
2.2 mi 3.5 km #9Santa Ynez Canyon Trail
Intermediate
Topanga, CA
Intermediate
Topanga, CA 5 
3.3 mi 5.3 km #10Nicholas Flat Trail
Intermediate
Malibu, CA
Intermediate
Malibu, CA 2 

Photos of Santa Monica Mountains NRA - 189

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Sunset at the Will Rogers trailhead
Sep 23, 2015 near Santa M…, CA
Balanced rock, viewable from afar as well as up close like this. Very cool landmark.
Apr 2, 2015 near Casa Co…, CA
Overlooking Lake Malibu
Feb 19, 2021 near Agoura, CA
Heading south on the Backbone Trail.
Jan 25, 2021 near Topanga, CA
Almost done - last short climb!
Feb 16, 2016 near Agoura, CA
Traversing the Canyon View Trail overlooking Malibu and the Pacific Ocean
Dec 5, 2016 near Malibu, CA
A gorgeous day and spectacular views make for a wonderful time on the Ray Miller / Backbone Trail!
Feb 1, 2017 near Camarillo, CA
Coastal Collisions.
Mar 31, 2020 near Casa Co…, CA