Solstice Canyon, Malibu CA

• 5-star hike
• 2 to 6 mile options
• Easy & Moderate | Gain 310 to 1,800 feet
• Malibu CA | Los Angeles Region
.

The image shows a group of people hiking on a dirt trail through a lush, green valley. The trail winds between two hills covered in vegetation, leading towards a distant view of the ocean under a clear blue sky with a few scattered clouds. The scene is serene and picturesque, capturing the beauty of nature and the joy of outdoor activities. The hikers are equipped with backpacks and are walking in a line, suggesting a group outing or adventure.

Hikers taking in the scenic coastal canyon from Rising Sun Trail.

Located just off the Pacific Coast Highway on the shimmering Malibu coastline, Solstice Canyon is a wildly popular hiking route that has something to offer for all levels of fitness and interests.

Enjoy the partly shady, wide and flat Solstice Canyon Road which remains within earshot of the nearby creek as you make your way to the back of the canyon to a small waterfall. Extend your walk with a return trip up and down Rising Sun Trail as you marvel in the canyon vistas and distant ocean views. Or double your trail length on the Deer Valley Trail which loops around the hills on the Western canyon flanks, affording even more great scenery.

Trail Options Expand KMZ · Google Earth ·

⬤ 5★ Canyon Loop & Deer Valley 6.1 mi loop, moderate, gain 1,800 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?

⬤ 5★ Canyon Loop 2.8 mi loop, moderate, gain 660 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions

⬤ 4★ Canyon Out & Back 2.5 mi out & back, easy, gain 310 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions

P Free parking

The shells of several homes remain in the canyon as reminders that in California wildfires have always been a threat. Half way up Solstice Canyon Road you'll find the Keller house - defiantly rebuilt in stone in 1903 after the first dwelling succumbed to fire after only two years. Further back in the canyon are the foundations of the ruined sprawling Roberts' house built next to a small waterfall. Another fire took the house in 1982, but the waterfall remains for hikers to discover.

When the trailhead parking lot fills up early due to the trail's popularity, some folk choose to find parking close to Route 1 and walk up the road to the trailhead, adding an extra half-mile each way. If you have the option to arrive early you can avoid this. The park's posted opening time is 8 am, but on the day I visited it was open much earlier.

The image shows the ruins of an old stone building surrounded by dense greenery and tall trees. The structure appears to be abandoned, with no roof and missing windows and doors. The stone walls are still standing, and the sunlight filters through the trees, casting shadows on the building. The scene is serene and evokes a sense of history and nature reclaiming the space.

The image shows the ruins of an old stone building surrounded by dense greenery and tall trees. The structure appears to be abandoned, with no roof and missing windows and doors. The stone walls are still standing, and the sunlight filters through the trees, casting shadows on the building. The scene is serene and evokes a sense of history and nature reclaiming the space.

A house of stone, built to withstand inevitable wildfires.

The image shows a scenic hiking trail surrounded by lush greenery and trees. The trail is a dirt path that winds through a mountainous area with a clear blue sky overhead. The landscape features a variety of vegetation, including shrubs and trees, with a prominent tree leaning towards the path. In the background, there are hills or mountains covered in green foliage.

The image shows a scenic hiking trail surrounded by lush greenery and trees. The trail is a dirt path that winds through a mountainous area with a clear blue sky overhead. The landscape features a variety of vegetation, including shrubs and trees, with a prominent tree leaning towards the path. In the background, there are hills or mountains covered in green foliage.

The flat and wide Solstice Canyon Road.

External links:
Solstice Canyon at National Park Service

Trailspotting nearby:
5★ Malibu Creek State Park (2-6 mi)
5★ Hollywood Sign (3-6 mi)
4★ Montecito Hot Springs (3 mi)
Show Area Map

Trailspotting free offline maps:
MAP PACK Los Angeles Region

California Coastlines
California coastal hikes and beaches to check out.

LA's Best Trails
Explore the natural side of Los Angeles with Trailspotting's Best Trails feature.

Trailspotting the Southwest (Horseshoe Bend)

Trailspotting the Southwest
See our growing collection of hikes from the Southwestern US states.