Hike Mugu Peak Trail

3 miles - Moderate Effort
2 Hours (Total)
1,270 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 1,266 feet
No Dogs Allowed

Don't let the short distance fool you; the hike up to Mugu Peak is challenging, climbing 1200 feet in about a mile. But with great effort comes a great reward, and the views from the summit of Mugu Peak are spectacular, from the high peaks of the Santa Monica Mountains to the Channel Islands. And while you're suffering on the climb, let your mind wander by thinking about the trail you are on, used by the native Chumash peoples for over 7,000 years. The Mugu Peak Trail is a fun adventure that's worth the effort.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions to Hike the Mugu Peak Trail
Where to Park for the Mugu Peak Trail
Insider Tips & Recommendations

Quick Links:
Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Apr 2024 Gear

Where is Mugu Peak?

The trailhead for Mugu Peak, up the Chumash Trail, is right off the Pacific Coast Highway in Point Mugu State Park. The trailhead doesn't have any official parking area or park signage, so you have to keep your eyes open for it. Use these GPS addresses:
Chumash Trailhead, Malibu, CA 90265 or 34.09171787401509, -119.06571593445499

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 3 — Look for the dirt parking area on the side of the road.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 2 — The lot is a decent size and is across from the old Navy Seabee gunnery range (with the tower across the street).

There is no parking pass needed here.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 1 — The trailhead is at the end of the parking lot.

This hike is best done at sunrise or sunset when the crowds and temps are not too bad.

Gear For the Hike

This isn't a long hike, and you are best served with light hiking gear or fitness clothes. You're going to want good footwear for the dirt and rocks, and trekking poles will be helpful on the steep slopes. The coastal weather is often variable, it can be foggy or clear depending on the winds and season.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.

HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Mugu Peak Trail Maps

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Elevation Profile

Hike Mugu Peak Trail Elevation — Not many climbs in SoCal do 1200 feet of climbing in 1 mile, but the Mugu Peak Trail does. On the way back down, we'll take a gentler slope so that we can enjoy the ocean views.

3D Map

Hike Brief

Chumash Village — Point Mugu and the valleys above it were originally Chumash lands. The Chumash would hunt and fish along the coast, and then bring it up to villages in the valleys behind Mugu Peak. Image Museum of Ventura County

The trail we'll take up the climb is called the Chumash Trail, named after the native peoples who originally lived here. It is believed that the Chumash used this trail as early as 7,000 years ago. It is the only (open and accessible) native trail in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Mugu is named after the Chumash village Muwu, oncelocated by the trailhead. It was the largest coastal settlement in the area and is even noted by the Spanish explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in his 1542 journal. By the early 1800s the village was gone, a victim of western encroachment and expansion.
It's not uncommon to see Naval aircraft flying in the area. North of the trail is Naval Base Ventura County, originally the major staging base for the Navy Seabees construction force during World War 2.
The 1943 movie "The Fighting Seabees," starring John Wayne, had some scenes shot here. Mugu Peak is in the background in this photo. Photo US Navy Seabee Museum.

Mugu Peak Hike Directions

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 4 — Start at the unmarked trailhead at the end of the parking lot.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 5 — Right from the gun it's a steep uphill. This is the Chumash Trail.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 6 — Avoid the small trails heading off the main trail. Keep heading uphill on the wide trail.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 7 — You'll be able to see the trail winding up in front of you.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 8 — Take breaks and turn around to admire the view. In the distance are the Channel Islands of Anacapa and Santa Cruz (the big one).

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 9 — There are some trail posts along the way, but they're pretty random.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 10 — The trail is rocky and can be loose. Look for the sections that don't have gravel, which is easier to ascend.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 11 — As you ascend you'll start to see the saddle. We're hiking to the saddle, and then up toward Mugu Peak on the right.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 12 — After about 0.3 miles the grade eases up for a second.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 13 — And you can see it get steeper again shortly.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 14 — Keep hiking up the steep section.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 15 — And when you get to the t-junction, make the hard left.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 16 — You'll wind around to the saddle and see the trail going up the slope to the right.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 17 — The section ahead is steep.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 18 — Before you ascend you'll get nice views of the La Jolla Valley and La Jolla Peak in the distance. The valley here was a popular place for Chumash settlements.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 19 — Okay, grind your teeth and head up the last real steep section.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 20 — Look behind you to see the Navy satellite tracking station on Laguna Peak, the westernmost peak in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 21 — And off to your right is the spectacular Boney Mountains range by Sandstone Peak. These are the tallest peaks in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 22 — One last little section of uphill to Mugu Peak.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 23 — And soon you'll see the flag in the distance.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 24 — Here you are at Mugu Peak! The flag was placed here by the Chief Petty Officers Association after 9/11.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 25 — To the north is the Naval Air Station and Mugu Lagoon.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 26 — To the south is Sandy Dune, formed by the winds off the ocean blowing sand up the mountain.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail San Nicolas — And on a clear day you can see San Nicolas Island, the most remote of all the Channel Islands. It is the site inhabited by the famous *"Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island"* and now serves as a Navy munitions testing base. It was also a candidate for detonating the world's first atomic bomb during the Manhattan Project (which ended up happening in New Mexico).

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 27 — When you're done at the summit, continue down the other side. you'll see the trail unfold in front of you.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 28 — And if you look down, you'll see the loop trail that you'll return on.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 29 — When you see the large trail off to your right, make the turn.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 30 — Now you have a gentle descent down an old dirt road along the ridge. Enjoy the views.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 31 — The views of Santa Cruz Island are great from here.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 32 — You'll round a bend and see the Chumash Trail that you came up on below.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 33 — When you get to the t-junction where you came up, make the left and continue downhill.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 34 — The downhill is steep so watch your step.

Hike Mugu Peak Trail 35 — And in about 3 miles you're back where you started!

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.