Nicholas Flat Trail

Nicholas Flat Trail is a three-mile long ‘ocean to mountains’ trail beginning within Leo Carrillo State Park, just across PCH from a famous beach at the west end of Malibu. The single-track trail travels up a coastal ridge past two vista points (and lots of other ocean views) to reach Nicholas Flat, where grassy meadows are rimmed by oak trees. A small network of trails offer different routes through Nicholas Flat Natural Preserve. Meadows Trail and Pond Trail can be used to create a loop off the end of Nicholas Flat Trail that reaches a small man-made pond. The hike up Nicholas Flat Trail to the pond and back is 7 miles round trip with 1,685 feet of elevation change. A couple more loops can be added to this hike, along with the two overlook spurs, to stretch the outing to 7.6 miles round trip with 1,745 feet of elevation change. If you prefer something shorter, consider Nicholas Flat Trail – Willow Creek Trail Loop, which cuts the climb off at the first ocean vista for a 2.05-mile outing.