Trails of
Encinal Canyon
Road to Corral Canyon Backbone Trail area, including Zuma Canyon
and Zuma Ridge
Two
riders coming up the Backbone Trail between Latigo Canyon
Rd and the Saddle.
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Trails of Encinal Canyon
Road to Corral Canyon Backbone Trail area, including Zuma Canyon
and Zuma Ridge |
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Most the trails in this area provide some great routes for intermediate to advanced hikers and bikers. There is a real diversity of conditions, but all of it it is challenging. The almost 9 miles of Backbone singletrack between Zuma Ridge and Corral Canyon descends into and climbs out of 4 canyons, while the Zuma Ridge Motorway provides some spectacular views of the Malibu coast and a great workout. For a climbing challenge, it's hard to beat the Zuma Canyon Edison Rd. The trails in lower Zuma Canyon are closed to mountain bikes. They are easily accessible from Malibu and are very popular amoung hikers and equestrians. Some of the trails in this area are not too long and have only a small amount of climbing so they can be enjoyed by hikers of any experience level.
a. Encinal Canyon Road, about 1.2 miles east of Decker Canyon Rd.
Map
and directions.
b. Encinal Canyon Road, south side. Map
and directions.
c. Encinal Canyon Road, west side, 0.2 miles south
of Zuma Ridge Motorway. Map
and directions.
d. Kanan Road, west side, immediately north of
Tunnel #1. Map
and directions.
e. Latigo Canyon Road, east side, about 3 miles
east of Kanan. Map
and directions.
f. Newton Motorway, just off of Latigo Canyon
Rd. Map
and directions.
g. North end of Corral Canyon Road. Map
and directions.
h. North end of Busch Drive. Map
and directions.
i. North end of Bonsall Drive. Map
and directions.
y. Locked
gates at private property
z. Waterfall
[1] The
Backbone Trail, Zuma Ridge to Corral Canyon T2.5
to T4
 (Watch the Video!) |
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The ride starts at Kanan with a very steep and usually rocky and loose climb or push up above the road and over the tunnel. From there it continues to climb, then descends to the first canyon. The climb up to Latigo Canyon Rd has a number of ruts and small steps that are really fun on the way back going downhill. After crossing Latigo the trail soon starts downhill. There is one short stretch shortly into the downhill that good riders can ride down and great riders can ride up on the way back. The climb up to the saddle has one loose, rocky section that almost everyone walks, so don't feel badly if you can't ride it. We normally take a break at the saddle to wait for everyone to catch up and maybe have a snack. As mentioned above, the last part to Corral Canyon road is really fun. At the Corral Canyon Rd parking area we turn around and ride back. Sometimes, for an extra challenge, at the end of the ride we'll continue past Kanan to Zuma Ridge. This is probably the easiest part of the Backbone in this area and is great for intermediate riders but will be a challenge in places for novices. The trail always seems to be in great shape, but it has a deceptive amount of climbing. And occasionally we start at Zuma Ridge and ride to Corral Canyon and back, but you have to be in really great shape for this. These trails are also great for hikers, of course. However, given the distance, it's best to plan a shuttle, keeping in mind that it's a very long drive from anywhere on the Backbone Trail to the Corral Canyon parking lot. A simpler option is to break the trail into a number of shorter out-and-back hikes. Technical Ratings |
Download the GPS track
to help you find your way.
|
Length (miles) |
8.8 total, 6.3 from Kanan-Dume to Corral Canyon |
|
Climb (feet) |
2500 total, west to east, 1950 from Kanan-Dume to Corral Canyon |
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Descent (feet) |
2000 total, west to east, 1450 from Kanan-Dume to Corral Canyon |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
| [2] Backbone
Trail, Encinal Canyon Rd to Zuma Ridge T2.5
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Description In early June 2016, the Backbone Trail was completed when two gaps were filled. One, often refered to as the Schwarzenegger-Wieder property, lying between Zuma Ridge Motorway and the Trancas Canyon Edison Road, was donated to the National Park Service. The existing trail that crossed it was widened and smoothed to officially become part of the Backbone Trail, filling an important gap that broke up this region of the Backbone route. The Trancas Canyon section of the Backbone singletrack starts across Encinal Canyon Road and a few hundred yards east of Clark Ranch Road. It drops into Trancas Canyon and comes back out at the Trancas Canyon Trail, an Edison Rd. The lower section of this trail goes though a lovely, shady oak forest. The climb out on the east side is moderately steep and often a little loose and dusty late in the year. In the springtime, a great place to see wildflowers is the western part of this trail where it descends into Trancas Canyon. A few dozen yards along the Trancas Canyon Trail (Edison Rd) brings you to the 0.5 mile trail across the formerly private land on the north side of the road. This singletrack is similar in character to the Trancas Canyon section except there is a short, steep and slightly loose climb to the apex, then a very steep and loose or rutted drop to Zuma Ridge Mtwy. From there, head downhill/north 0.1 miles to find the Zuma Ridge to Kanan Rd section. There are a few trails that cross the Backbone in the area of Encinal, both north and south of it. These were built by the crews of the nearby fire station who use them to practice their fire skills. The National Park Service, the local land manager, requests that the public stays on the Backbone Trail and off of these other trail. |
Download the GPS track
to help you find your way.
|
Length (miles) |
2.2 |
|
Climb (feet) |
700 (West to east) |
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Descent (feet) |
300 |
Technical Rating T2.5
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Description This trail gives access to a beautiful waterfall
on Zuma Canyon Creek that is very close to the Kanan Road trailhead for the
Backbone Trail. It starts about 550 yards from Kanan, just before the Backbone
Trail starts to climb again. A few yards along the Waterfall Trail is a spur
that leads to an overlook, but you get a better view if you climb down to the
the stream. The trail down starts about 100 yards from the Backbone trail and
is quite steep but not very long (HO
;
T4
).
The trip down is well worth it!
Download the GPS track
to help you find your way.
Technical Rating HO
;
T2.5
;
T4
|
Length (miles) |
0.15 |
|
Climb (feet) |
120 (East to west) |
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Descent (feet) |
20 |
[4] Trancas Canyon Trail T1
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Description This is a well-maintained Edison road that is accessible from Encinal Canyon Rd, where there is some parking along the side of the road near the entrance, and from the Backbone Trail. It's a fairly easy climb and descent, but keep in mind that the only way out is back the way you came. Near the bottom, at a fork, the road becomes completely overgrown to the left but has a bit of a trail hacked through it. This road used to connect to Zuma Ridge Motorway, but a landslide many years ago wiped out a section of the road in the middle, making it completely impassible. The road continues down as far as the next Edison tower. Although this is a fireroad and is probably prohivitively hot and dead in the summer, it's really pretty in the spring when all the blooms are out; it's fun to ride on several soft grassy sections. The section just about the highest point has a great view west towards Sandstone peak. Further down you can see the ocean from places. |
Download the GPS track
to help you find your way.
|
Length (miles) |
2.2 |
|
Climb (feet) |
670 (North to south) |
|
Descent (feet) |
870 |
Technical Rating T1
Trail Profile Back to the Top
[5] Zuma
Ridge Motorway T3
 |
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Even though it's a fireroad, this trail is rated
T3
One note of caution. With all the climbing on this trail, it's best to avoid it when it's hot out, so this is really a route for the fall, winter and spring. If you think this trail is steep, see how it compares to other steep trails. |
Download the GPS track
to help you find your way.
|
Length (miles) |
5.9 |
|
Climb (feet) |
1100 (Encinal Canyon Rd to Malibu) |
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Descent (feet) |
2400 |
Technical Rating T3
Trail Profile Back to the Top
| [6] Zuma
Edison Rd T1
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Once you get down to Kanan-Dume road, it's a fairly easy ride uphill on Kanan and through the tunnel to get to the Backbone Trail parking area. This trail is for very strong riders only! If you think this trail is steep, see how it compares to other steep trails. |
Download the GPS track
to help you find your way.
|
Length (miles) |
4.8 |
|
Climb (feet) |
1500, approximately (West to east) |
|
Descent (feet) |
2000, approximately |
Technical Rating T1
Trail Profile Back to the Top
| [7] Dume Canyon Mtwy, Ramera
Mtwy and Newton Mtwy T1
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Description From the map, it looks like one could use these roads to connect from Kanan Road to the Backbone Trail where it crosses Newton Motorway. Unfortunately the north half of Ramera Mtwy and the south half of Newton Mtwy are on private property and are not open for public access (purple and orange dotted line in the map above). |
[8]
Zuma Canyon Connector Trail T2
Description This singletrack connects the Zuma Edison Rd at the top to the Kanan-Edison Rd at the bottom. It is moderatly steep, but not so steep that a strong rider would have to walk any of it. It's well-travelled and overall in pretty good shape, except a few short steeper sections are a little loose. This is a fun trail to ride down and the fun continues all the way to Kanan Road on the Kanan-Edison Road.
Download the GPS track
to help you find your way.
Technical Rating T2
|
Length (miles) |
0.75 |
|
Climb (feet) |
50 (North to south) |
|
Descent (feet) |
390 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
[9] Kanan-Edison
Road T1
- T2.5
Description This road can be broken into three segments.
The northern-most 0.8 miles is a moderate climb up from Kanan Rd and is well-maintained.
The next 500 yards is somewhat overgrown but easy to travel and fairly level.
These first two segments have a rating of T1
.
The rest, from where it meets the Zuma Canyon Connector Trail singletrack, has
narrowed to a singletrack. This section is mostly downhill and rates T2.5
.
The last 150 yards, where the trail turns north-east to reach Kanan Road, is
a little more rutted and technical.
Download the GPS track
to help you find your way.
Technical Rating T1
(From Kanan to the Zuma Cyn Connector Trail);
|
Length (miles) |
2.8 |
|
Climb (feet) |
350 (North to south) |
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Descent (feet) |
1050 |
[10]
Zuma Canyon Trail T2.5
Description This trail starts at the parking area at the north end of Bonsall Drive and runs along the bottom of Zuma Canyon, crossing the creek in several places. This is a popular trail and on weekends you can expect to see several groups of hikers and equestrians. The trail surface is mostly a little soft and sandy. It ends after about a mile and a half, but you can continue by making your way up the creekbed if you like hopping between rocks and climbing boulders.
Download the GPS track
to help you find your way.
Technical Rating T2.5
|
Length (miles) |
1.4 |
|
Climb (feet) |
300 (South to north) |
|
Descent (feet) |
100 |
Description This is a short loop trail that connects to the Zuma Canyon Trail on both ends. It is almost level but is somewhat loose and trenched from horse traffic.
Download the GPS track
to help you find your way.
|
Length (miles) |
0.2 |
|
Climb (feet) |
30 |
|
Descent (feet) |
15 |
[12]
Canyon View Trail NB
;
T3
Description This broad singletrack climbs from the bottom of the canyon up to the Kanan-Edison Rd on the ridge to the east. It's moderately steep and loose from horse traffic with a mild trench going down the middle. From this trail you'll have good views of the canyon and Zuma Ridge to the west. With the Ocean View Trail and Zuma Canyon Trail, it provides a popular route for hikers and equestrians.
Download the GPS track
to help you find your way.
|
Length (miles) |
1.4 |
|
Climb (feet) |
750 |
|
Descent (feet) |
155 |
[13]
Ocean View Trail NB
;
T3.5
Description With the Canyon View Trail and Zuma Canyon Trail, this trail provides a popular route for hikers and equestrians. It is a broad singletrack and mostly quite firm, except for the top third where it is steeper, very loose and deeply trenched. The best views are to the north of the Canyon View Trail, and to the west of Zuma Ridge. There's a stream crossing at the bottom so if there's a lot of water in Zuma Creek, it may be best to plan not to hike on this trail.
Download the GPS track
to help you find your way.
|
Length (miles) |
1.1 |
|
Climb (feet) |
630 |
|
Descent (feet) |
30 |
Description This trail climbs up the west side of the canyon towards Zuma Ridge and back down again, starting and ending at the Zuma Canyon Trail. In the steeper parts it becomes somewhat rocky and loose which is where its T3 rating comes from. When it descends back into the canyon at the north end it goes through a shaded, heavily treed area.
Download the GPS track
to help you find your way.
|
Length (miles) |
1.1 |
|
Climb (feet) |
390 (South to north) |
|
Descent (feet) |
350 |
[15]
Ridge-Canyon Access Trail NB
;
T2.5
Description This well-used trail links the Zuma Ridge Motorway trailhead with the Zuma Canyon Trails via the Zuma Loop Trail.
Download the GPS track
to help you find your way.
|
Length (miles) |
0.45 |
|
Climb (feet) |
250 (Zuma Canyon to Zuma Ridge) |
|
Descent (feet) |
20 |
This page last updated on November 16, 2021
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Thanks for looking at Steve's guide to trails in Ventura County, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) and other locations. |
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Printable map (1.4 MB
Description There
are two sections of the Backbone trail that experienced riders love.
This is one and the other is 
Description The
Zuma Ridge Motorway is a fireroad that starts at Encinal Canyon
Rd, climbs about 1000 feet to the crest before dropping down two
and a half thousand feet into Malibu. Even though it's a fireroad,
it has three real advantages over the fantastic Backbone Trail singletrack
that intersects it. First, it has tremendous views of the coast
and, when it's really clear, the Channel Islands. Second, when it's
wet, the Backbone Trail quickly becomes a quagmire of super sticky,
rubber-clinging mud, but Zuma Ridge is made up mostly of sand and
broken sandstone so it sheds water quite well, similar to 
Description This
fireroad connects Zuma Ridge Motorway to Kanan Road. On the west
end, it starts a little over
a third of the way down Zuma Ridge from Buzzard's Roost (the intersection is
just a hundred yards or so beachside of the power lines you go under);
the road starts with a fairly steep drop into Zuma Canyon, crosses
the sandy, when dry, or rushing Zuma Creek, then climbs over the
next ridge and down to Kanan. In the picture to the right, the descent
can be seen in the foreground and the climb out is in the distance.
The road is in good shape, fairly smooth and firm, but the climb
out is the real challenge. It is generally considered to be harder
than