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    Zuma Canyon Trail

    4.2 (31 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

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    Dog walking

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    Ocean view
    Nicole L.

    This hike consists of mostly inclines and not a lot of shade. The trails are all clearly marked and easy to follow though. We ended up doing the Ocean and Canyon View Trails, but there are more trails that you can take. The foliage around the trail was dry from the California heat, which I find to be beautiful in its own way. The trail is a bit more inland than other Malibu trails, so the view of the ocean is definitely a little harder to see. It was kind of neat to be surrounded by the canyon mountain peaks all around. Horses are also able to use the trail, so be wary of horse droppings every now and then.

    Monica M.

    We got here very early and we had the trails all to ourselves. We started left on Zuma Loop trail, unfortunately there were too many horse dropping and it smelled very bad. When we were finally half way through the hike, the odor went away. So we looped around merge into Canyon View Trail and then into Ocean View Trail. It was a 4.5 mile loop around. We had the best views. When you start hiking on Canyon Trail it gets a little steep. Prepare yourself in going up and dealing with a few inclines. Overall a beautiful place to hike and you get to enjoy the ocean views.

    Where we started from
    Stephanie P.

    At the request of many of my fellow Yelp friends, this review is for you. :) [tune to "Over the River, and through the Woods] Over the boulders through the water the leader knows the way to shows through the canyon through the bushes and up the water fall. Over the river, and boulders through the water, up Zuma Canyon away! Disclaimer-This hike is not for beginners or most intermediate hikers, at least the way The Crew goes. We do not hike a trail, we make a trail by way of bush whacking through dense brush, tree limbs, and of course poison oak (PO). Requirements for this hike is both physical and psychological strength. Bouldering takes a lot of upper body strength, water crossings take balance, some rocks are covered in slipping moss and unstable rocks. Dredging through waste deep mucky and many times sticky water takes balance and excellent negotiating skills to avoid from taking a full body dip. Afraid of heights, yeah, don't even consider this hike, for every boulder you climb up, you have to climb down. This hike is not a mileage hike, instead a physical endurance hike, which typically goes hand in hand with ones mental state of mind. The Stats Distance: 5.3 miles, Elevation Gain: 1400 feet, Level: 9 out of 10, scenery factor: priceless, The Trail: Single track, rock & boulder hopping, scrambling, trailblazing and some bushwhacking. PO avoidance. Time: 5-7 hours This one way car shuttle hike where we start near PCH and end up about four miles north of PCH on Kanan Dume Road and hike through Lower Zuma Canyon, Upper Zuma Canyon, and Newton Canyon. There is PO everywhere in this canyon. This hike involves a lot of bushwhacking and mostly climbing over boulders. Good balance and rock climbing skills are necessary. Due to the recent rain, there was enough water to wade through for a good portion of the hike, several hikers even slipped on the moss covered rocks and took an unexpected dip. The hike begins around open fields, sycamore trees and laurel sumac bushes. The canyon then narrows and there are oaks and eucalyptus trees along a creek. We stop for a lunch about about 2/3 of the way into our route where Edison Rd intersects Zuma Creek. Although the hike is quite challenging up to this point, this is where the real fun begins. As we are that much closer to using a rope to scale a 10 foot shear rock wall, with a rope, of course. We are THAT crazy. This was one of my first hikes with The Crews years ago. I had such a bad experience; I didn't have the right clothing, essentials, or enough mental strength. I got through it, but not with, what I now call Honor Badges. Although I wore long sleeves and pants, I had some PO on my hands, arms, and legs. The back of the neck was covered in pea-sized welts. PO is so annoying. Three days after the hike or so, my arms and legs were pretty much covered in bruises and I had several abrasions on my legs, not to mention, my I had my first encounter with a Tick. Thankfully a girl friend was experienced with removing them, because all the gents jumped back when I showed them I had a Tick. Tisk tisk!!! I swore I'd never go back. After four years later and many begging me to go back, I finally caved. Due to the lack of rain in the area, there wasn't much water so it was mostly a bushwhacking, PO avoidance, hiking up a dry creek bed hike, with a twist. The twist was the climb out of the canyon. In past years the climb out was up a loose dirt hillside on hands and knees for about 350 feet. January we went left at the fork which led us to a 10 foot sheer rock wall. Fortunately there were three "mountain goats" among us who free climbed up the wall. Once they reached the top, one wrapped a rope around himself and was our anchor, another grabbed the hand of each climber as they got within arms length by scaling up the wall using their upper body strength and the rope. The third video taped and took pictures of us climbing. Perhaps I'll try to attach the video for visual stimulation purposes. This time around, thanks to the rain, we had water. What do you get when you cross a sheer wall with rain? A much more enjoyable challenge. Yes, we scaled the 10 foot sheer wall with a running waterfall...the makings of a wet t-shirt contest, only we always wear appropriate attire. We are smart and respectful that way. My second attempt, January 19, 2014, as well as my third attempt, today, March 9, 2014, was much more successful than my first time. I still came out with Honor Badges, bruises and abrasions, but January the PO outbreak wasn't nearly as bad and I didn't have any encounters with Ticks. So far, the result of today's hike is still forming, I do see some bruises and abrasions, but no Ticks. PO is still in question. Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

    Beginning of hike up Zuma Canyon Creek bed.
    Marianne S.

    This is not your average "run of the mill", lollygagging around kind of hike. Well at least the route we took, so let's start with that. We parked our car on Bonsall Rd. If you get there early enough you'll parking. We got there around 8:30am yesteryday (Sunday) and only found 1 vehicle and a lady walking her dog. Our hike up Zuma Canyon trail was not bad at all. it was actually a cakewalk. We got the chance to enjoy the scenery and the dirt was soft enough that it will not put a lot of impact on your feet and knees. Just mind the horse poop because they are everywhere. Zuma Canyon Trail ends abruptly once you hit the creek. So this is where THIS review begins. It's dry enough so we decided to go north on Zuma Canyon Creek. I suggest that if you decide to hike up the creek bed (please DO NOT do this during the winter, spring or during/after rain) that you are somewhat in shape because it is a strenuous hike. Much boulder hopping through stagnant pools of water requires a lot of balance and very very good hiking boots. Falling in the water is 1) potential hypothermia 2) wet socks=blisters=pain...you get the idea. Depending on your stamina and speed it could take you a few hours to get through Zuma Creek. Not only that but a lot of bushwhacking is involved too. REMEMBER to bring insect repellants: ticks, ants, beetles, dragonflies and some winged creatures i've never even seen LIVE here. Even though it's hot, I suggest you wear sleeve/long sleeved shirts and spray the openings of your shirt and where bottom of your pants meet the boots with deet/insect repellants. You will do a lot of bushwhacking and in the summer, it can get so hot and humid that you WILL feel muggy. All of those inhibitions go out the window as you trek through the boulders and the thick brush where your mentality is "f**ck it" I am going to get through this. No raising the pinky for girls here! - You will end up touching bird poop in exchange of balance - You might have to crawl through a couple of huge tight boulders to get further up - You will itch - You will feel uncomfortable BUT..... You WILL HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE CAN DO WHAT YOU JUST DID! (Or at least have the guts to) HAPPY TRAILS!

    Me...Frustrated going UPHILL!!
    Ryan M.

    My buddy and I have been hiking a lot in less than two weeks. That is definitely a record in my books. Since my Dodgers were out of town, I wanted to enjoy another hike around the Malibu area. After Solstice Canyon, my friend found a place in Malibu near Zuma Beach called, Zuma Canyon Trail. Zuma Canyon Trail is near the entrance of Zuma Beach. You'll driving through expensive homes on Bonsall Drive and eventually get to a small narrow road. If you see a horse trailer there, you have found the right spot. I am not sure of the name of the company/group (Malibu Riders) that provides the horseback riding, but the lady is very friendly from the beginning, middle, and end of our hike. Our hike began around 1pm. The initial part of our hike led us to the other parking lot. I really thought our hike ended. My friend kept relying on the map and we kept going the wrong way. In my previous hikes, there have been no maps and I am still here today....For Now Anyways. Eventually, the hike started getting warmer as we were getting away from the ocean. Definitely bring water. I had already gone through my first bottle and it was only 1/4 of the hike. The shade definitely helps you cool. Throughout the hike, I had to pace because of the steep parts of the hill. To keep my mind off the heat and the frustration, I brought a baseball. If you find a baseball somewhere along the trail, that my mark that I have been there. While hiking, you may encounter the horseback riders. Definitely make way for the horses since they are big creatures. The view is not as great as Charmlee, but you do get a view of the ocean and the SMOG. Like my other hikes, there is usually a tower of some kind: Water and/or Electrical Tower. We did find one, but it was at the other parking lot. Not at the top of the mountain or anywhere on Canyon and Ocean View Trail. Whew...My lifespan is extended for awhile. The one thing you have to make sure you don't do during the hike....STEP ON HORSE DROPPINGS. My friend did at the end of the hike. Its all over the place, but my friend had to step on it. No one gets on my truck with feces. I am sure my friend is reading this. No Map...No Stepping on Feces. Overall, its a good hike. Some would say its not for first time beginners. I'd say its for second time beginners. I believe our hike took us three hours to complete and it was definitely worth it. My feet hurt from the constant stopping by my buddy. I keep losing momentum to move forward. Gosh.....Onwards to the next hike without stopping. Yelp is My Review, My Story, and My Life. Its time to share it.

    Jessica B.

    This is a beautiful hike. I found it through naturedogs.com because I was looking for a location that allowed dogs and also had a low or no entrance/parking fee. The website implied that this trail was easy with no really steep climbs. We started out on the Zuma Canyon trail and then hooked up to the Canyon View Loop and ended on the Ocean View Trail. The literature I read before the hike said it was about 2.8 miles but this definitely ended up being closer to 3 or 3.5. The view was worth it. The signs said to keep dogs leashed and we kept my lab on the leash for about 20 minutes. But since it was 3 in the afternoon on a Wednesday and we hadn't met anyone else on the trail and there were no other cars in the parking lot, I let him roam free. Had there been more people there we would have kept him on the leash. There was no parking or entrance fee. I will definitely go back soon!

    Amm G.

    Although I didn't get to finish all the hike, the sceneries is breath taking. Massive amount of green and fresh air. It was definitely not a trail for beginners but the work out was great! Ps: there's a lot of horse shit so watch your step!

    Maruko X.

    It's good for horse riding, but not a good place for hiking, too much dust and horse shit, though the view is quite open.

    Just girls having fun

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    Where's the trail head? Come on Yelp, have a GPS link to the trail head(s)!

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    Ask the Community - Zuma Canyon Trail

    Review Highlights - Zuma Canyon Trail

    We started out on the Zuma Canyon trail and then hooked up to the Canyon View Loop and ended on the Ocean View Trail.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

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    My husband surprised me with our first-ever horseback riding experience here last week, and I…read moregenuinely could not have imagined a better introduction. From the moment we arrived, everything felt calm and welcoming. Our guide, Sienna, was incredibly thorough in walking us through the basics and made sure we felt comfortable before heading out. As total beginners, safety was my biggest concern; but she has such a steady, reassuring energy that we felt confident the entire ride. The trail itself was breathtaking. Rolling Malibu mountains, wide open skies, and those views that make you stop mid-sentence. Sienna even paused at the most scenic spots to help us take photos, which I really appreciated. The horses had different personalities, I got a very calm horse and my husband's horse kept stopping along the way to snack on the bushes :) It was funny but I'm glad Sienna chose an easier one for me. Overall the whole experience felt thoughtfully run from start to finish. Small tip: You'll lose cell reception on the drive in and out of the mountains, so make sure you have your next destination's address saved or mapped ahead of time. If you're considering trying horseback riding, especially for the first time, this is such a special place to do it. We're already planning our return!

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    Zuma Canyon Trail - horsebackriding - Updated May 2026

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