Up and Over Zuma Ridge- and Back!

Elyse has stitched together a handful of trails through the popular Zuma Canyon area to create a loop featuring airy ascents, steep descents, lofty ocean views, and one of the deepest gorges in the Santa Monica Mountains. Zuma is derived from the Chumash Indian word for abundance, and you'll get both an abundance of beauty and workout on this hike.

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Our 10 miles hike will include a 1500' ascent, then 1500' descent into the canyon, followed by another 1500' climb out and onto Zuma Ridge Motorway before a- you guessed it- 1500' descent back to the trailhead. For you math wizards, that's 3000' of elevation gain and loss on this one. The trail is a combination of fireroad and single track. If you're partial to trekking poles, don't forget them on this one- lot's of elevation gain and loss, and the path is loose in short sections.

Many of us have hiked the northern sections of this trail system, off Kanan Dume Rd., but this is an opportunity to see what the southern sections, below Buzzard's Roost, look like. I'll give you a hint- it looks like a lot of amazing ocean views. ;)

Didja know?- Frederick and May Rindge bought the area we'll be hiking in back in 1892, calling it Rancho Malibu (Zuma Ridge was named after them by an illiterate mapmaker). They blocked development and through roads for years, until the US Supreme Court forced them to allow PCH to be built on their property. That led to some development, but the dearth of buildings and through roads in the area is a vestige of their influence, a century later.

(just kidding about the Zuma Ridge bit)

Directions:

Take PCH to Malibu and head north on Bonsall Drive, one mile west of Kanan Dune Road (If you pass Zuma Beach, you have gone too far). Drive north on Bonsall Drive for one more mile to the dirt parking lot at the end of the road.