Willow Creek Trail to Nicholas Flat Loop is a 6.9 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Malibu, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options.
backpacking
hiking
nature trips
walking
bird watching
running
beach
forest
lake
views
wild flowers
wildlife
no dogs
Please note: parking area is reportedly closed due to COVID-19. Beautiful trail in Leo Carillo State Park that takes you from the beach to the mountains. Nothing too steep or technical, and you'll be rewarded with amazing views. Be sure to check out the wildflowers here when they are in bloom.
Parking lots closed because of COVID19. Difficult to find alternative spaces. Hike itself was OK, not my favorite. Very exposed and hot even though it was only in the 70s when I went. Also very overgrown and views were just OK.
Needs maintenance, definitely wear something to cover your legs as the thorns might really agitate you at parts. Also, I recommend going both loops clockwise for the best views and potentially more shade at the end of the hike.
Good workout but not maintained well. I guess CalParks said “well, we can’t really keep you from going out here, but we can make it as annoying as possible.” AllTrails recommends counter clockwise for the loops but try clockwise, would probably be better.
Stunning views but definitely overgrown dress appropriately! For COVID reasons parking lot currently closed but you can walk from across the street Will come back!
This was an awesome, challenging, beautiful hike! There are wild flowers, including poppy’s, lining the trail at the beginning 1/3 of the route. It’s a bit steep, but worthwhile.
Quick ascent up the hill going clockwise from the first trail head. Great ocean views as you turn to look back at the ground you’ve covered. Not sure how this trail would be after rain given loose small rocks and clay surface. Trail going back down into the canyon has a handful of switchbacks with steep views over the edge into the canyon. Parking lot seems to accommodate a lot of people. It was nice to drive out to this point then make additional stops down the PCH driving back from Malibu to LA.
Madison Livingston recorded Nicholas Flat Trail
This trail will make you sore—some steep uphill and downhill portions! Didn’t see a single other hiker, had the trail to ourselves. Pack a picnic for the flat part at the top with incredible views! This trail has it all: great workout, amazing views, low traffic. 10/10
I enjoyed the trail. The first half was borderline hard for me. Nice to see the vegetation coming back after the fires. Around the pound a lot of blackened trees with green leaves. I thought it was pretty cool.
We didn’t go the whole way because there is no shade and it’s very hot in the summer. Also, while I can’t speak to the rest of the trial, the first loop is fairly unremarkable scrub that is now just growing back from the Woosley Fire. Nice ocean views but the landscape is meh.
It connects all way to the pond from the beach. No shade. Snakes. Mtn lion scat. Great workout. Views excellent.
Alex Upchurch recorded Nicholas Flat Trail
Fun trail into some dry Malibu wilderness. There’s a cool old rusty bridge to cross and a weird scum pond. The section just before and just after this first fork is really steep. Once you’re passed there it’s easy. Really overgrown toward the end and the quails in the bushes all sound like rattlesnakes. Didn’t see any snakes luckily just a couple suspicious fallen branches.
awesome
I hiked most of the trail yesterday. Had to turn back about 3.5 miles (per my Fitbit) in because I scared a rattlesnake into rattling. There is a bit of overgrowth and I didn’t see it until I heard it rattling. It scared the heck out of me. However, it was nice to see all the growth after the fire. The beauty of this hike is that after the hike, you can take a plunge in the Ocean.
