01
Best overall pick
Solstice Canyon
Malibu - Solstice Canyon • Shaded Canyon Trail With Historic Ruins • Best All-Around Pick
A close-to-campus canyon hike that blends gentle grades, creekside shade, and a dose of Malibu history.
Solstice Canyon is one of the easiest places to reach from Pepperdine, yet it feels surprisingly tucked away once you are in the trees. A mellow trail follows the creek past oaks and sycamores toward old homestead ruins and small cascades, making it a friendly choice for mixed hiking abilities. Go early on weekends if you want quieter paths and better parking options.
02
Waterfall favorite
Escondido Falls Trail
Malibu - Escondido Canyon • Popular Waterfall Out-And-Back • Most Popular Waterfall Hike
A classic Malibu canyon walk that rewards a bit of mud and rock-hopping with one of the area's best-known waterfalls.
Starting near Pacific Coast Highway, this trail winds through a lush canyon that feels far more remote than its coastal address suggests. In a good rain year the lower falls create a cool, misty grotto that draws both students and weekend hikers. Expect crowds on prime spring days and be prepared for a few stream crossings and muddy sections after storms.
03
Ridgetop views
Corral Canyon Loop
Malibu - Corral Canyon • Rugged Loop With Broad Ocean Panoramas • Best For Sunset Vistas
A rocky loop that climbs quickly to open ridges with sweeping views over Pepperdine's campus and the Malibu coastline.
Corral Canyon is where many locals go when they want big views without an all-day commitment. The loop winds past sandstone outcrops and scrubby hillsides, with long stretches where the Pacific fills your entire field of vision. It is exposed almost the entire way, so bring a hat and aim for golden hour if you want cooler temperatures and dramatic light over the water.
04
Summit challenge
Sandstone Peak via Mishe Mokwa Trail
Santa Monica Mountains North Of Malibu • High-Country Summit Circuit • Best For Strong Hikers
A longer loop to the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, with big-sky vistas that make the drive from campus worthwhile.
This route has a true mountain feel, trading the coastal haze for cool breezes and sweeping views in every direction. The Mishe Mokwa loop rolls through rocky highlands and past dramatic formations before climbing to the Sandstone Peak summit plaque. It is a solid workout with sustained climbs, so it is best tackled by reasonably fit hikers with a few hours to spare.
05
Peaceful canyon walk
Zuma Canyon Trail
Malibu - Zuma Canyon • Wide Canyon Path With Side Gullies And Ridges • Quiet Canyon Escape
A broad, gently climbing canyon route that trades oceanfront bustle for wide skies, chaparral, and the sound of wind in the brush.
Tucked inland from Zuma Beach, this trail follows an old fire road into a spacious canyon framed by rugged walls. It is a good option when coastal parking is packed but you still want to stay on the west side of Malibu. Side paths and steeper use trails peel off toward higher viewpoints, so you can keep things easy or add elevation depending on your mood.