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Malibu, California

Looking for the best hiking in Malibu? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Malibu. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Malibu

  • Los Angeles County, California

    Big Tujunga Canyon Lookouts

    1.22 mi / 453 ft gain
    Park at the Condor Peak Trailhead, please note that this trail head is unmarked so keep your eyes peeled on the right side of the turnout for a small single track trail. The trail gradually climbs along the side of the canyon until reaching a 4 way intersection. To your left and to your right wil...
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  • Avalon, California

    Camp at Parsons Landing

    5.0
    7 mi / 0 ft gain
    The distance can vary depending on where you start. It is a 2.5 mile hike from Emerald Bay or 7 mile hike from Two Harbors or you can kayak in. There are 8 primitive campsites (6 people/ site) which means there is no running water, no supplies...you must pack in everything. The campsites are spre...
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  • Ojai, California

    Couch Rock

    3.5
    1.3 mi / 627 ft gain
    Driving up Gridley Road away from Ojai you’ll come upon a small parking lot on your left and a gate barring the way to a dirt road. Park here, as close to the mountainside as possible and head onto the trail.  Follow the trail until you see pass a bench, and start heading downhill. Keep your eye...
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  • Ojai, California

    Rock Climb at Foothill Crag

    2 mi
    From downtown Ojai, head north on N Signal Street. Head up the hill and turn left onto a gravel road next to a chainlink fence once you get to the top.(There should be a sign that points to "Pratt/Foothill Trailhead.") Continue past a water tank on the right to a trailhead parking area.  I've gon...
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  • Altadena, California

    Millard Falls

    3.0
    1.27 mi / 289 ft gain
    To get to the trail, park at the Millard Campground Trailhead parking lot, where you'll find plenty of parking. Follow the trail that leads away from the lot and past the Millard Campground. If necessary, you'll find bathrooms at the campground. Follow signs for Millard Falls as the trail veers r...
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  • Altadena, California

    San Gabriel via Sam Merrill and Mount Lowe Trails

    17.55 mi / 5614 ft gain
    San Gabriel via Sam Merrill and Mount Lowe Trails is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Altadena, California.
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  • Altadena, California

    Echo Mountain and Inspiration Point Loop

    4.1
    10.16 mi / 3369 ft gain
    The trail switchbacks up the mountain before reaching the first historic marker, in 3 miles. These are the remains of the Mount Lowe Railroad, which brought customers to Echo Mountain Resort, also in ruins, nearby. Explore the historic sites, then head up Castle Canyon Trail. A steep climb will ...
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  • Santa Clarita, California

    Hike to Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument

    3.2 mi / 153 ft gain
    The Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument, established in 2019, memorializes the site where the Saint Francis Dam, built by famed engineer William Mulholland, collapsed in 1929, tragically killing more than 400 people in the middle of the night as a 150+ foot wave of water crashed through ...
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  • Altadena, California

    Thalehaha Falls

    1.71 mi / 679 ft gain
    The trails starts in a foothill neighborhood of Altadena CA at the corner of Pleasantridge Dr. and Rubio Vista Rd. This is one of the better entries into the Angeles National Forest because it is one of the lesser known. Find a place to park on the street and head out on the trail into Rubio Cany...
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  • Los Angeles County, California

    Switzer Falls

    3.4
    3.66 mi / 728 ft gain
    Just off the Angeles Crest highway, you’ll find one of LA’s best waterfalls, Switzer Falls. There is a parking lot just next to the trailhead. If you go on the weekend and run into a crowd, there’s parking near the highway, adding a little distance to your trek. Once you’ve walked through the Sw...
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  • Los Angeles County, California

    Bear Canyon via Switzer Falls Trailhead

    6.67 mi / 1273 ft gain
    Parking: Parking is available at the Switzer Falls Picnic Area, or in the two overflow lots on the hill. You will need an Adventure Pass to leave your car parked here. Make sure to follow posted signs - there are some parking spots that do not allow overnight parking. Amenities: Bear Canyon has...
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  • Altadena, California

    Gabrieleno Trail: Switzer Falls to Hahamonga Watershed

    5.0
    10.14 mi / 814 ft gain
    Gabrieleno Trail: Switzer Falls to Hahamonga Watershed is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a waterfall located near La Canada Flintridge, California.
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  • Ojai, California

    Rose Valley Falls

    5.0
    0.68 mi / 256 ft gain
    ...It's not often that you come across 100 ft waterfalls. This moderate to easy hike to Rose Valley Falls leads you to one of the tallest waterfalls in the Los Padres National Forest. The hike begins at Rose Valley Campground. If you're not staying at a campsite, park outside the entrance of the ...
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  • Castaic, California

    Hiking the Piru Creek Gorge Trail

    Take the I-5 exit North of Castaic, CA at Templin Hwy. Turn onto Golden State Hwy heading the only direction it goes from the exit, North. When it dead-ends in a few miles at the National Forest Gate, you are at Frenchman's Flat.You can camp here, or hang with the day hikers. Heading North along ...
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  • Altadena, California

    Eaton Canyon to Idlehour Trail Camp

    4.5
    10.99 mi / 3291 ft gain
    Idlehour is nestled deep in the Angeles National Forest, so it feels like you're in the heart of some untapped wilderness instead of six miles away from a bustling metropolis. The trail camp is accessible by foot through a variety of locations, but the most popular route is through Eaton Canyon, ...
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  • Pasadena, California

    Eaton Canyon Falls via Eaton Canyon Trailhead

    4.2
    3.54 mi / 528 ft gain
    The hidden forty-foot-tall Eaton Canyon Falls fills an amphitheater at the top of Eaton Canyon Trail, tumbling into a wide pool that you can rest alongside or wade in. Normally the water is waist deep, but during this recent trip, we found the water only to stop at our ankles as it tends to fluct...
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