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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

(7) 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 - 33

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RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Heading south on the Backbone Trail.
Intermediate

Backbone Trail - The Hub to Will Rogers State Park

6.9 mi 11.1 km • 376' Up 114.57 m Up • 1,654' Down 504.27 m Down

Topanga, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Almost done - last short climb!
Intermediate

Talepop Loop

4.2 mi 6.8 km • 426' Up 129.94 m Up • 426' Down 129.96 m Down

Agoura, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Rest area at the hub. Amazing views there!
Intermediate/Difficult

Topanga Creek Outpost Loop

10.7 mi 17.2 km • 1,366' Up 416.33 m Up • 1,366' Down 416.42 m Down

Topanga, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Eagle Rock.
Intermediate

Eagle Rock Loop

6.6 mi 10.6 km • 1,062' Up 323.7 m Up • 1,073' Down 326.95 m Down

Topanga, 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 Nice view from Crags Road.
Intermediate/Difficult

Grand Tour

14.8 mi 23.8 km • 2,781' Up 847.79 m Up • 2,784' Down 848.55 m Down

Agoura, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Owl's Clover...
Intermediate

Reagan Ranch Loop

3.9 mi 6.3 km • 650' Up 198.08 m Up • 650' Down 198.1 m Down

Agoura, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite The Topanga Microwave Tower.
Intermediate/Difficult

Hondo Canyon

4.1 mi 6.6 km • 121' Up 36.9 m Up • 1,703' Down 519.07 m Down

Topanga, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Owl's Clover: Found some nice patches along the trail.
Intermediate/Difficult

Saddle Peak

9.0 mi 14.4 km • 2,125' Up 647.58 m Up • 2,125' Down 647.59 m Down

Malibu…, CA

Santa Monica Mountains NRA Running

  • 338 Miles 544 Kilometers of Trail
  • 33 Recommended Routes
  • 3 Gems Gems
  • 94 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 136 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 34 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Areas Within Santa Monica Mountains NRA

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Trails in Santa Monica Mountains NRA - 231

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3.7 mi 6.0 km #1Talepop Trail
Intermediate
Agoura, CA
Intermediate
Agoura, CA 3 
0.4 mi 0.7 km #2Las Virgenes Trail
Intermediate
Agoura, CA
Intermediate
Agoura, CA 0 
3.2 mi 5.1 km #3Crags Road
Intermediate
Agoura, CA
Intermediate
Agoura, CA 4 
3.5 mi 5.6 km #4Bulldog Motorway
Difficult
Agoura, CA
Difficult
Agoura, CA 1 
1.0 mi 1.7 km #5Tapia Spur Trail
Intermediate
Malibu Beach, CA
Intermediate
Malibu Beach, CA 1 
1.2 mi 1.9 km #6Castro Peak Motorway
Intermediate
Agoura Hills, CA
Intermediate
Agoura Hills, CA 1 
0.8 mi 1.3 km #7Deer Leg Trail
Intermediate
Agoura, CA
Intermediate
Agoura, CA 1 
0.9 mi 1.5 km #8Lookout Trail
Intermediate
Agoura, CA
Intermediate
Agoura, CA 1 
0.3 mi 0.5 km #9Cage Canyon Trail
Intermediate
Agoura, CA
Intermediate
Agoura, CA 1 
11.4 mi 18.4 km #10New Millennium Trail
Difficult
Agoura, CA
Difficult
Agoura, CA 5 

Photos of Santa Monica Mountains NRA - 196

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Photos

Balanced rock, viewable from afar as well as up close like this. Very cool landmark.
Apr 2, 2015 near Casa Co…, CA
Sunset at the Will Rogers trailhead
Sep 23, 2015 near Santa M…, 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
Heading south on the Backbone Trail.
Jan 25, 2021 near Topanga, CA
Overlooking Lake Malibu
Feb 19, 2021 near Agoura, CA
Puerco Canyon Motorway looking back towards the ocean from above the switchbacks.
Nov 1, 2021 near Malibu…, CA