Eagle Rock Via East Topanga Fire Road is a 3.8 mile out and back trail located near Malibu, California that features a great forest setting and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and nature trips and is accessible year-round.
hiking
nature trips
trail running
walking
forest
views
no dogs
A nice hike with views of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and nearby mountains. Eagle Rock is about from Los Liones Rd off the PCH. The views during the hike include downtown LA, Santa Monica bay/beach, the mountains and Topanga Cyn Rd. The trail is mostly sunny, some parts are steeper than others, and some are shaded and cooler. One of the best views are sunsets.
PARKING: the gates to the parking lot opens at 8AM with a fee. I got there by 7AM and decided to park on the dirt road outside the park for free 99. limited spots on the dirt road, though, so if you're looking for that free adventure - go early, otherwise, support your state parks and pay the parking fee.
THE HIKE: the hike itself is well maintained. you know when you have automatic flushing toilets you got yourself a bougie hike. they even had rolls of toilet paper ready for you. this is probably the Marriot of hikes. LOL. anyway, the hike is pretty straight forward - be sure to follow the signs (not that hard). you'll be taking the fire road for the majority of the hike and its a gradual incline till you get to your destination.
bring insect repellent cause you'll be coming by a lot of flies and gnats. annoying buggers. ALSO - no cause for alarm but i saw a snake on the way back so definitely stay away from the edge of the trail. Try to stick close to the middle as possible. you'll also see a bunch of the local birds on the trail. also lizards. they creep me out. sometimes they look like twigs and i accidentally stepped on one until it started scurrying away. it had me afrightened. LOL.
TRAFFIC: human traffic is generally pretty low in the early mornings. you got a few bikers, runners, and fellow hikers. everyone didn't really carry much, which made me the weird one taking my day pack. meh, better prepared. got to the trail head around 7AM and didn't start till 7:15AM (took advantage of the boujie toilets). It wasn't till i was descending back that i started seeing more humans.
Overall, a pretty nice hike with gorgeous views. definitely would do it again.
Im a big fan of this hike and of Topanga State park! The whole area is neat, but Eagle rock is the crowned jewel with it's caves and panaramic views. I prefer taking the Fire road (best views) to eagle rock, but Musch trail is nice too, and a good change of scenery.
Beautiful views! And you can have lunch in the cave at the top!
Hiking & running
Great views from Eagle Rock
Eh
Love this place there are a lot of trails