Malibu Creek State Park Mountain Bike Map

Guide to the best mountain bike trails near Malibu Creek State Park
including the Backbone Trail

Malibu Creek State Park Area Summary
Location: Malibu/Calabasas
Best For: Advanced riders
Suitable For: All levels
Ground Cover: Brush-covered hillsides and riparian woodlands.
Seasons: Good year round.

Description:
Malibu Creek State Park lies in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains and encompasses a full range of Southern California terrain. Situated near the intersection of Mulholland Highway and Malibu Canyon Road, the park headquarters region is largely rolling, semi-open oak woodlands offering beginners to mountain biking great opportunities to learn.

However, once you start climbing to Castro Crest on the Bulldog Motorway, you'll understand that Malibu Creek isn't just for beginners. The Bulldog loop is a classic, featuring relentless climbs, stellar views and screaming downhills. For those craving fun technical single-track, a multi-use segment of the Backbone Trail runs just to the ocean side of Castro Crest and offers miles of uninterrupted single-track with lots of challenges.

Kudos to CORBA, the local mountain bike trail access organization, for their hard work in opening and maintaining jewels such as this for all mountain bikers to enjoy.

Malibu Creek State Park is just one of the huge variety of mountain biking spots that the Santa Monica Mountains has to offer. Discover more great rides.
The trail map tour below is a jpeg of the actual maps from our books and map-sets.

Malibu Creek State Park Bike Trails

Crags Road - Easy fire road through Malibu Creek State Park.

Bulldog Fire Road - Relentless hill climbs 2,000 feet from Malibu Creek to Castro Crest.

Mesa Peak Motorway - Rolling ridgetop fire road with great views.

Tapia Motorway - Steep fire road connector from Mesa Peak to Tapia Park.

Newton Motorway - Steep fire road.

Backbone Trail - Long, often technical stretch of single-track through scrub, riparian and oak woodlands. Best single-track in the Santa Monicas.

Directions to trailhead(s):

Malibu Creek State Park is located just west of the intersection of Mulholland Highway and Malibu Canyon Road near Calabasas. The Backbone Trail can be accessed from Kanan Road, 4 miles north from PCH (Hwy. 1), just past the first tunnel. There is additional access to the Backbone Trail from the top of Corral Canyon Road, 5 miles north from PCH.

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