Backbone Trail
Backbone Trail
4.5
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Spectacular scenery over three ridges in the Santa Monica Mountains.
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4.5
29 reviews
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backbone310
Malibu1 contribution
Dec 2013 • Friends
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. 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. 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. 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.
If you're short on time, don't miss these parts of the Backbone Trail:
- Munsch Trail/Topanga State Park: out and back with 26 different species of California wildflowers. No bikes. Best time to hike is Spring.
- Fossil Trail/Hondo Canyon in Malibu: out and back with lots of fossils along the trail with spectacular ocean and canyon views. No bikes.
- 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. Magnificent ocean, mountain, and canyon views. Nearly 100% single track. Best for bikers with at least intermediate skills and good cardio. Technical with exposure in some sections, elevation gain of 3,600 feet over 5 miles one way. The distance may be short, but the going is challenging after Latigo Canyon.
- Encinal/Backbone/Encinal Canyon to Sandstone Peak in Malibu: this out and back trail has it all: single track, multi-use, and fire road. Probably the best ocean and mountain views of the entire Backbone Trail, plus a visit to the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. Forever views of the valley. Best for bikers of at least high beginner level with some cardio fitness. 3 short, steep hills there and back again, but so worth it. Sighting of the Painted Lady Butterfly hatchings in early Spring.
If you're short on time, don't miss these parts of the Backbone Trail:
- Munsch Trail/Topanga State Park: out and back with 26 different species of California wildflowers. No bikes. Best time to hike is Spring.
- Fossil Trail/Hondo Canyon in Malibu: out and back with lots of fossils along the trail with spectacular ocean and canyon views. No bikes.
- 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. Magnificent ocean, mountain, and canyon views. Nearly 100% single track. Best for bikers with at least intermediate skills and good cardio. Technical with exposure in some sections, elevation gain of 3,600 feet over 5 miles one way. The distance may be short, but the going is challenging after Latigo Canyon.
- Encinal/Backbone/Encinal Canyon to Sandstone Peak in Malibu: this out and back trail has it all: single track, multi-use, and fire road. Probably the best ocean and mountain views of the entire Backbone Trail, plus a visit to the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. Forever views of the valley. Best for bikers of at least high beginner level with some cardio fitness. 3 short, steep hills there and back again, but so worth it. Sighting of the Painted Lady Butterfly hatchings in early Spring.
Written December 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BuLife
Healdsburg, CA113 contributions
The backbone trail is about 60 miles in all. It can new traversed from Will Rogers park in Santa Monica to Point Mugu in Malibu.
Rent a mt.bike from Topanga Creek bicycles and have a blast. It's a great way to see the trail.
Rent a mt.bike from Topanga Creek bicycles and have a blast. It's a great way to see the trail.
Written November 8, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dianette
Los Angeles, CA145 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
I live in Malibu and am on this trail almost daily. So many places to start your hike from and all so different from each other. 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. 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. Start at Busch, Bonsall, Kanan, Will Rodgers, Mulholland…..Bring plenty of water, a hat, and sunscreen. And know where you are going as there are miles and miles of trail. 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. - Really fun- park at the lot just north of Tunnel 1 on Kanan. Go west and meet up with the Zuma View trail off off Busch. Loop back down through Bonsall and have another car waiting there. A couple of hours of beautiful and varied scenery. Endless views of the canyons, mountains and ocean.
Written May 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
19022013
Prescott, AZ68 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
You need to be prepared for the challenges of a variety of levels and uneven terrain. Also a good guide makes it more interesting.
Written July 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelArtGolf
Lafayette, IN1,470 contributions
This trail is not for novices. Now that I read other reviews, I see potential here; but we did not get that. We ended up leaving after about 20 minutes. The signs leave a lot to question.
We got a nice view of a modern water treatment plant. Research the location and appropriate entrance before you go.
Fortunately, the officer was at our car when we got back. He gave us a warning only. Many others were getting tickets......
We got a nice view of a modern water treatment plant. Research the location and appropriate entrance before you go.
Fortunately, the officer was at our car when we got back. He gave us a warning only. Many others were getting tickets......
Written May 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gobluestl
Saint Louis, MO60 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
If you like to hike you have to do this trail. It goes up, up up into the Santa Monica Preserve. The weather was great and we had a cool breeze so it made it easier. We did not go all the way to the top but went up for over an hour and a half. Gorgeous views! Small parking fee, port-a-potty available.
Written July 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrandMrsAdventure
Los Angeles, California, United States469 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
This is pretty much our favorite hike in SoCal, there's nothing like the views from the top and even the drive there and back through Malibu is stunning! Be sure to bring water as there is no where to fill up along the trail. It's dog friendly too!
Check out our post with more hiking tips and some awesome photos:
http://mrandmrsadventure.com/2014/06/19/our-favorite-socal-hike-sandstone-peak/
Check out our post with more hiking tips and some awesome photos:
http://mrandmrsadventure.com/2014/06/19/our-favorite-socal-hike-sandstone-peak/
Written June 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ragdias
Los Angeles, CA67 contributions
I went hiking there last week. It is a mix of hills and plateaus but overall a good hike.
Only advise here regards to snakes. On my hiking we had one right in the middle of the path. Be aware and be careful.
We had two guys pulling her over and later called the authority responsible for animal control.
Only advise here regards to snakes. On my hiking we had one right in the middle of the path. Be aware and be careful.
We had two guys pulling her over and later called the authority responsible for animal control.
Written October 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bdkLosAngeles
Los Angeles131 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
I've done sections of this trail many times and the whole thing in 1 week as well. The western sections are perhaps more scenic but all of it is lovely. Lots of ups and downs of course, but very doable. Good to do it with others and arrange a car shuttle so you don't have to back track.
Written January 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MalibuSteele
Malibu, CA12 contributions
Sep 2019
Some of the most incredible mountain and ocean views that you will ever see are on this trail. It can be technical in parts, but is suitable for most. Bring your hiking shoes and your camera and pick a trailhead to experience this one - at nearly 70 miles long, you can come back again and again.
Written October 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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