One of my favorite parts about hiking is admiring Mother Nature and all of her cool creations. It is pretty amazing that LA is home to some really gorgeous mountains, canyons, vibrantly green grassy fields, caves and waterfalls. If you are going to physically exert yourself on a hike, you might as well let your eyes rest easy on some picture perfect scenic views. Why not snap some brag worthy photos while you’re at it! If you want to one up your Instagram game, then let me introduce you to a trail with a uniquely carved out hidden cave, ideal for a dramatic Instagram picture.
Eagle Rock, located in the Topanga State Park, boasts a concealed inlet on the underside of the rock to sit and look out at the Santa Monica Mountains and Pacific Ocean. The trail to get to this picturesque vantage point is called the Topanga Fire Road to Eagle Rock Trail. This hike is relatively easy with a gentle, steady incline that definitely doesn’t make you feel like you have gained 939 feet of elevation! It is an out and back hike with Eagle Rock marking the turn around point. This giant sandstone slab of rock is even more impressive in person. Let me tell you, when you stand towards the edge and look 100 feet down, you may experience some vertigo. So, don’t get crazy by the edge! Seriously, this rock is fun to climb up and even better, the hidden cave underneath the rock, is exactly where you want to snap your epic pictures.
The trail signs on the Topanga Fire Road to Eagle Rock Trail are well marked making it super easy to navigate. All you have to do is follow the signs that say, “Eagle Rock.” If only all trails didn’t bring about that “Shit I am lost and I am going to be stuck here forever” gut wrenching feeling that all hikers have experienced at one point or another. So, rest easy because this hike is a breeze.
When I completed this trail, it was a cool winter day with 55-degree weather and very gusty winds from a recent storm. However, if you are hiking this trail during the hot months, just a fair warning, there is no shade along this path, so I suggest packing lots of water to stay hydrated. Parking is $10 for the day, a little steep in price, but there are restrooms on site which is always a bonus.
Topanga Fire Road to Eagle Rock Trail is 3.85 miles long and there are plenty of look out points and photo opps along the way to the hidden cave. The path is quiet and serene with large open grassy fields and dipping mountains that give way to a peak-a-boo view of the ocean.
Address:Â 20801 Entrada Rd, Malibu, CA 90265 or click AllTrails link
Directions to hike:
Drive down to the lower parking lot. You will see the restrooms on the left and a trail sign a short distance from the front of the bathrooms. There is another trail here that merges with the fire road trail however, this is not the trailhead I am referring to. If you are standing at this sign you will want to go to the right, in the back of the parking lot and up the trail here to the right. As I mentioned, the hike is very clearly marked, so no further instructions needed. Just follow the signs that say, “Eagle Rock” and on your way back, as you get closer to the beginning, you will see a sign that says, “parking lot.”
Once you get to this giant rock you will want to climb straight up the middle and underneath is a little cave you can go into for a stunning look out point of the Santa Monica Mountains and of course you can snap an Instagram worthy picture!
We luckily got a clear blue sky, big puffy clouds and bright green grass from all the recent rain on our hike to the hidden cave under Eagle Rock. A fun tip: wear a bright colored top to make for captivating and eye catching photos!
Jill E. Gallien / March 2, 2019
