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Best hikes in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

The 20 most loved trails in this park on Ranger, ranked by review activity, then length. Edited for first time visitors and returners both.

Park Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Hikes ranked 20
Ranger rank #1 of 44163 parks
Best months April, May, November

The 20 best hikes, in order

Ranked by reviews
  1. 01
    Backbone Trail
    11.6 mi
  2. 02
    Zuma Ridge Trail
    5.4 mi
  3. 03
    Mulholland Drive
    5.3 mi
  4. 04
    Zuma Edison Road
    4.9 mi
  5. 05
    Cheeseboro Ridge Trail
    4.6 mi
  6. 06
    Sullivan Canyon Trail
    4.2 mi
  7. 07
    Sullivan Fire Road
    3.5 mi
  8. 08
    Westridge Fire Road
    3.5 mi
  9. 09
    Bulldog Motorway
    3.4 mi
  10. 10
    New Millennium Loop Trail
    3.4 mi
  11. 11
    Edison Road
    3.3 mi
  12. 12
    Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Trail
    3.0 mi
  13. 13
    East Topanga Fire Road
    2.9 mi
  14. 14
    Yellow Hill Fire Road
    2.9 mi
  15. 15
    Garapito Canyon Trail
    2.9 mi
  16. 16
    Palo Comado Canyon Trail
    2.9 mi
  17. 17
    Sycamore Canyon Fire Road
    2.9 mi
  18. 18
    Staber Road
    2.8 mi
  19. 19
    Serrano Valley Trail
    2.6 mi
  20. 20
    Malibu Springs Trail
    2.5 mi
See all trails in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Plan a trip here

When to go. Best months to visit Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: April, May, November. Outside these windows, expect closures, weather, or thin crowds.