Best Nature Trips Trails in Malibu Creek State Park

Definitely go clockwise, there’s about a mile stretch of scramble (about 1.5 miles in) that I’d rate more towards hard, but the rest is pretty moderate to easy. Very fun, I would recommend proper trail/hiking shoes since it can be a little technical. Clocked in at around 8miles total but I did get lost a couple of times. Namely, when reaching the water tank, take the paved road around its left side til you see the trail continue to dirt in front of you. Good amount of shade if you start early and keep good pace. I started at sunrise and sun was blocked much of the time.

Stay to the left the lake trail is a waste unless you’re just looking to get into the rock pool. The real work out is on the century lake trail it loops but you can really get your heart pumping! We looped it and came back to the cool off in the water at rock pool

VERY hot on the day we went, definitely could have used a little more water on the way back up. (All downhill to start so the end is a good trek up, otherwise pretty flat for big chunks) Water is pretty stagnant at this point but a lovely loop with some nice views and varied terrain. We didn’t go in the water but probably would at another point when it’s moving more. Very busy section, too many people to feel like a real hike.

Did this counter clockwise with start and end in the Malibu creek state park parking lot. It was about 85 degrees when we left. Not much shade through the trail except for some patches the last 3ish miles on the descent. Bring your water and sunblock! Great views throughout! Completed in 6:10. I didn't find the overgrown parts or the water crossings to be too bad. September 5 2019

Take lots of water. We hiked during the heat of the day. Recommend early or later in the day. Not marked very well. We went an extra section and had to back track. River is dry.

Parking isn’t ideal but the view at the top of this hike is one of the nicest in the Santa Monica mountains. A 360 view of the valley and the beaches. The trail is overgrown and buggy but calm and lightly trafficked. Will recommend for a late afternoon or early morning hike. When the sun is at its highest the most beneficial thing would be to stay around the boulders and enjoy the color changes on the rocks.

Typical trail for this area: straight up a fire road with nice views of the mountains and beaches dotted with million dollar homes. Good exercise trail for sure but not much of a nature walk; you can hear the road most of the time. We were lucky and went up while it was overcast but in full sun I can see how this would be super hot. Also, you have to pay to park at the trailhead.

Beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean

Awesome views. Some shade at the beginning but quickly becomes a fire road that's wide and clear with little to protect you from the sun. Went on a late morning on a Sunday in August, and it was both slightly warm (not too hot) and not too crowded (passed no more than a dozen people the whole time). The "peak" is basically a picnic bench with views of the ocean, but there's a lot more trail to keep going on along a ridge in two extra directions.

Super easy path to walk and run on. Once you get deeper into the lake path (as opposed to the pool path), a portion of the path becomes sandy...almost like running on a beach. I tool the trail up to Reagan Ranch expecting to see at least one building but like all the trails in this park, I found out they just dead end into nothing. That said, it is a good easy workout for trail runners. Just be aware there are a lot of people that come to this park especially to the rock pool with their kids. Also, it costs $3.00 an hour or $12.00 per day to park inside. If you can find parking outside the park and don’t mind walking a bit, I’d recommend doing that.

Great trail, lots of poison Oak though. Bring plenty of water!

This trail was great. I did it mid day in August with 2 liters of water. I did fine but I wish I had another liter. After the first mile, it’s 1.5mi of scrambles and direct sun no matter what time of the day you’re there. My recording was a little longer than the 7.6mi. Once you bare right just before the water tower it begins to get easier - the hardest part is certainly behind you. I also suggest going clockwise

Hiked the first four miles westward on a hot August morning; (90 degrees at 10 a.m.). Beautiful views, well worth the nearly constant uphill climb. Started at 6:45 a.m. with one else in the parking lot. By the time I got back at 10:30 there were four other cars. I only saw 4 people on the trail the whole time I was on it. First part of trail partially shaded in spots, higher elevations had little or no shade. For me, southern Californian transplanted to Minnesota, this is the quintessential socal hiking trail experience close to LA.

This was tough hike for me. Over 90° and had to ration my water. good climb definitely a bit challenging.