![]() ![]() Endless views of the canyons, mountains and ocean.If there’s a trail that best defines the Santa Monica Mountains, it easily would have to be the Backbone Trail. A couple of hours of beautiful and varied scenery. Loop back down through Bonsall and have another car waiting there. Go west and meet up with the Zuma View trail off off Busch. Really fun- park at the lot just north of Tunnel 1 on Kanan. Dogs on leash are welcome but make sure you bring enough water for them in the summer time as it can get very hot and I have seen too many idiots who didn't think to bring their dogs anything. And know where you are going as there are miles and miles of trail. Start at Busch, Bonsall, Kanan, Will Rodgers, Mulholland….Bring plenty of water, a hat, and sunscreen. All of those tourists crowding a trail that isn't even that great- Winding Way, are seriously missing out on the really great trail- Backbone. Some of the best attributes of this trail are- the single track that seems to be well taken care of, the wildlife that you see I have seen coyotes, a bobcat, dear, owls, hawks (Snakes- rattlers- be careful in hot weather!) and the feeling that you are no where near Los Angeles. So many places to start your hike from and all so different from each other. I live in Malibu and am on this trail almost daily. Sighting of the Painted Lady Butterfly hatchings in early Spring. 3 short, steep hills there and back again, but so worth it. Best for bikers of at least high beginner level with some cardio fitness. Probably the best ocean and mountain views of the entire Backbone Trail, plus a visit to the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. Encinal/Backbone/Encinal Canyon to Sandstone Peak in Malibu: this out and back trail has it all: single track, multi-use, and fire road. The distance may be short, but the going is challenging after Latigo Canyon. Technical with exposure in some sections, elevation gain of 3,600 feet over 5 miles one way. Best for bikers with at least intermediate skills and good cardio. Magnificent ocean, mountain, and canyon views. Backbone/Kanan Rd/Newton Canyon in Malibu: out and back over the T1 tunnel and climb up to Latigo Canyon, down and up to Corral Canyon with 8 seasonal stream crossings. Fossil Trail/Hondo Canyon in Malibu: out and back with lots of fossils along the trail with spectacular ocean and canyon views. Munsch Trail/Topanga State Park: out and back with 26 different species of California wildflowers. ![]() If you're short on time, don't miss these parts of the Backbone Trail: ![]() I've not yet met anyone who has hiked/run/biked the entire length in one day, as the trail is very rugged and steep in some sections, with many major climbs and descents between the several different canyons from the PacPalisades to Malibu. ![]() In a few sections of the trail, mountain bikes are not allowed in most of the trails that travel from Topanga, CA to Malibu Cyn Rd/Las Virgenes Cyn Rd in Calabasas, CA. From Will Rogers, the trail begins as a steep fire road (bikeable) and traverses several picturesque canyons with magnificent ocean, canyon, and mountain views, and at times becomes a single track. I've hiked and biked the entire 65-mile length of the Backbone Trail from where it starts in Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades, CA to its terminus just outside of La Jolla State Park in Malibu along Pacific Coast Highway. ![]()
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