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A hiker looks north from Calabasas Peak
Calabasas Peak offers panoramic views of the Santa Monica Mountains, Red Rock Canyon, and a sliver of the Pacific Ocean. In the other direction, the peak looks down on the city of Calabasas and a wide stretch of the San Fernando Valley. The 3.6-mile round-trip hike to Calabasas Peak travels an easy-to-follow fire road. There is 1000 feet of elevation gain along the way, but that effort is rewarded by great views at every turn.
Click here to see more photos of Calabasas Peak
The wide dirt trail leaves Stunt Road and rises up to an early U-turn which looks down on Cold Creek Canyon. Views of this round valley improve as the trail turns north and levels out. At the half mile point comes the hike's one and only junction. To the right, Red Rock Mountainway descends into Red Rock Canyon Park. Feel free to have a rest here on the bench before continuing straight ahead toward Calabasas Peak.
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Cold Creek Canyon
Long ribs of porous sandstone run down the southeast side of the peak breaking up the lush green hillside.
The trail swings to the left before winding back in the other direction. The moderate ascent becomes more earnest, gaining 500 feet in the last mile. A group of sandstone formations beneath the true summit is a great place to stop and take in the immense views.
Sandstone formations beneath Calabasas Peak
The Calabasas Peak Mountainway crosses the summit and descends the north side of Calabasas Peak down to Old Topanga Road. No need to continue this way though. To get back to the trailhead, simply return the way you came.
The geography around Calabasas Peak makes this area an ideal candidate for bouldering. Those up for a bit of off-trail adventure can make their way across the sandstone slabs, carefully exploring their interesting outcroppings, along a more direct path from the summit down to the trail below.
Looking down on Calabasas Peak Trail
The trailhead also services Red Rock Canyon, which can be visited in conjunction with Calabasas Peak.
To get to the trailhead:
From the 101 freeway, exit Las Virgenes Road and head south toward Malibu. After 2.8 miles turn left, (east) on Mulholland Highway. After 4 miles, turn right on to Stunt Road and drive one mile. There is plentiful parking along the right side of the road (at the trailhead for Stunt High Trail). The trail to Calabasas Peak starts up the gated fire road on the opposite side of Stunt Road.
From the PCH, take Malibu Canyon Road until it becomes Las Virgenes Road. Turn right on to Mulholland Highway and take that to Stunt Road as described above.
Another option for those coming from the west side is to take the PCH north to Las Flores Road (Across from Duke's restaurant), drive 3.4 miles up this narrow twisting canyon and turn right onto Rambla Pacifico St. After 0.6 miles make a sharp right onto Schueren Rd. and descend the backside of the mountain for 5 miles to arrive at the parking for Calabasas Peak from the other direction. This scenic route offers a high view on Malibu and the Pacific.
Use the map below to create your own directions.
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