Best Nature Trips Trails in Malibu Creek State Park

Great hike for good views and a decent work out. Went up to the picnic table about 2.5 miles in. Have to come back and take the Backbone Trail even further! Good incline not strenuous.

You can stay on the main path, or veer off for little challenges. Great spot

Beautiful trail

Lots of elevation gain initially, rocky trail. Nice foliage, greener than other trails in the area like Los Liones and Temescal. Great views and picnic table about 2 miles up.

Absolutely gorgeous hike. I was concerned the fire road would be a bummer, but it never took away from the incredible views and stunning variation in landscape. So much green! I live in the desert and do 99% of my hiking in the desert, so if this review seems a tad hyperbolic, that’s why. Minus one star for being forced to walk along Las Virgenes.

It a good starter hike. Mostly fire roads and little shade.

If you start inside Malibu Creek SP, it’ll be an easy 2.5 miles in til you reach the start of Bulldog. That’s when the fun begins.. over 4 miles of incline to the peak. Don’t do this run/hike when it’s hot because you will hardly get any shade. View is great, you get to explore the caves (if it’s open to the public).

Be very careful on the descent. If you stick to the wide trails, you will end up on a parking lot off Las Virgenes, which will be 2 miles away from where you started. You’ll be hiking on a very busy road where the sidewalk disappears sometimes.

Definitely not for beginners. If you want the view and the challenge of Bulldog, or if you just want the elevation gain, I suggest you go out and back. Don’t do the full loop unless you pack a lot of water. It’s going to be a long day for you.

This is a great park. $12 day parking but the hikes are worth it. Beautiful and the MASH site was awesome! Most of the terrain was pretty flat.

Inclines are not too difficult but trails are long! Beautiful views to your east and west as you ascend.

Lovely hike on a cool morning. First 2 miles or so is steady ascent (nearly all of the elevation gain). Highlights: oak trees cluster during ascent, views from the crest (both north and south), rock formations & wind caves near the end.
Note: the map shows leaving from a locked gate, actually the Puima trailhead is the right spot, 100 yards or so south.

One day trailed running and hiked! Completed the Backbone Trail: Tapia to Kanan-Dume, in 4 1/2hrs, over 11.6 miles in/out, a total of 23.2 miles, at 2,936ft. Rated: Moderate/Hard. Nice overcast (February 2018). Good to build your endurance!

The trail is primary used for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running and it is accessible year-around. In addition, be mindful of mountain bikers and dogs need to be on a leash. It was an amazing workout! My legs were on fire: burning nonstop. Also, if you’re planning on parking on Malibu Creek Road, the cost for parking all day is $8.00.

On that note, if you're looking to get into shape, lose weight, or tone up. I recommend, incorporated some kind of physical activities. That was a lovely hiked and trailed running. "Mind over matter." ❤️

Great hike. A bit of a climb so make sure you are ready for the elevation change and the length. Also beware of the trail skips on the southern part of the loop before you get to the Mesa overlook trail shown on the current map. It’s doable you just have to forge your own path, find a different trail or use the road.

Very crowded on a Saturday. Spent too much time standing to the side for people who are unaware of trail etiquette.

Nice hike. We passed through the Mash site. Pretty neat, good photo ops. There is also a camera holder so that you can take pictures. It's where the 2nd truck is at. Just keep going past the first truck you see. However, the end of the trail just ends abruptly with some fences. So that was odd. The Century lake is beatiful!

Ran this trail yesterday and it was absolutely beautiful. I'll be making it a regular!

This was an easy, short hike. The fall colors were in full bloom when I went, and the temperature was nice. Would definitely do again. Note: this is in the Malibu Creek State Park and there is a $12 entrance/vehicle fee to take this trail. Also, the trail starts off on Crags Road (or a name like that). Happy hiking!

Takes you to the top of mountains over looking the road down below

This was the best hike in the area and we've done a lot of hikes in Malibu. Great views, good amount of difficulty and activity. Fall is definitely a good time for this trail.

Not moderate hike at all. Very easy and fun for the whole family!

The current map will first take you to Century Lake and then the mash site followed by the bed around the other side of the lake. If you climb up on the rocks you can get a good view of the lake, dam and landscape. Plus there's a small cave up at the top!

On the way back you'll follow the trail to the rock pools. Fun place to rock climb!

Beautiful. Nice little lake. Quiet. Easy hike. Good for when you have a couple hours.

Very nice hike. It would be an awesome view in the spring.

Pretty basic hike, kind of short. Rock pool is cool but SUPER crowded right now during summer. Also, make sure you have enough water it gets extremely hot out there. It was 95 plus out today.

Nice little hike. Very easy except for one grade that is still moderate. Watch climbers a bit off the main trail before the grade.

This is my new favourite hike. Parked on mulholland for free (or its $12 at the parking lot) and hiked in on the grassland trail. Lots of shady places to rest and the hike itself up to the Mash set is pretty straight forward. Beautiful trees and a lush setting. Quite a few people on the lower part of hike but once I got past the pool trail I only saw a few people. Highly recommend.

Beautiful hike. Nice paths, wonderful flowers. Many bees. Many alternate trails to explore. Overhead coverage is refreshing. Lake area is nice. Traffic was light.

Love Malibu Creek State Park. Beautiful views and I loved swimming in the rock pools. Definitely recommend for a fun weekend with your friends/family

Beautiful scenery

Perfect hike for a family with an early reward, the Rock Pool. Trails are wide making it easy for littles. Lots of great shady nooks along the way to rest/have a picnic.

6.8 miles. Great weather... the hike was easy... would have been better without so many people... but I guess that's what is to be expected on Memorial Day. It is worth it to go to the Mash site, the lake, and the rock pools. saw a fee dogs, on leashes...

My new favorite hike just before I moved out of cali!!! The lake is sooooo beautiful! Such a good hike. I relaxes the whole way and just cleared my head.