The Kanan-Zuma Backbone Area, including Trancas Canyon

Two riders coming up the Backbone Trail between  Latigo Canyon Rd and the Saddle.

All the trails in this area provide some great rides for intermediate to advanced riders. There is a real diversity of conditions, but all of it it is challenging. The almost 9 miles of Backbone singletrack between Zuma Ridge and Corral Canyon descends into and climbs out of 4 canyons, while the Zuma Ridge Motorway provides some spectacular views of the Malibu coast and a great workout. For a climbing challenge, nothing compares to the Zuma Canyon Edison Rd, part of the Upper Zuma Loop ride, with over 6000 feet of climbing in about 18 miles.

• The one we use most is on Kanan Dume Rd, immediately north of the closest tunnel to the ocean (third one from the 101), on the west side. This is next to the Backbone trail.
• For access to the Zuma Ridge Motorway, there is plenty of parking a few hundred yards west of the trailhead on Encinal Canyon Rd, on both sides of the road.
• There is more parking at the south end of Zuma Ridge Motorway in Malibu, at the north end of Busch Dr where it intersects Cuthbert Rd.
• For access to the middle of the Backbone Trail, you can park on Newton Motorway where it meets Latigo Canyon Rd.
• The Corral Canyon parking lot lies at the east end of the Backbone singletrack at the north end of Corral Canyon Rd for access from Malibu. Unfortunately this is a twisy, windy, slow road so it does not provide quick access from the Pacific Coast Highway.
• Finally, not shown on the map, there is parking on Mulholland Rd in both places where it intersects Decker Canyon Rd. This is just beyond the north-west corner of the map below.

 

Map Key Backbone Singletrack Backbone (Decker to Zuma Ridge) Zuma Ridge Mtwy Zuma Canyon Edison Rd Dume Cyn Mtwy Ramera-Newton Mtw Edison Rd

Suggested Rides

Advanced

• Backbone Trail, Kanan to Corral Canyon  and back: Starting at the Backbone trailhead on Kanan, ride east on the Backbone singletrack, cross Latigo Canyon Rd, cross Newton Motorway at the Saddle, continuing to the parking area at the end of Corral Canyon Rd. Then return the way you came. (12.6 miles; 3400' elevation gain). If you still have energy to burn when you get back to the parking area on Kanan, ride the Backbone singletrack west to Zuma Ridge, then return (17.6 miles; 4500' elevation gain altogether)
• Upper Zuma Loop: Starting at the Backbone trailhead on Kanan, ride west on the Backbone singletrack, turn left on Zuma Ridge Motorway and ride to the top, past Buzzard's Roost, and down about 1.5 miles. Turn left (down) onto the Zuma Canyon Edison Rd, ride to the bottom of Zuma Canyon and them up, up, up over the ridge and down to Kanan-Dume Rd. Turn right on Kanan and ride down for about a half mile, turn left onto Dume Canyon Motorway (paved), turn left onto Ramera Motorway (paved), continue straight and up when it turns to dirt, cross Latigo Canyon Rd, continue up on Newton Motorway (dirt) and down to the Saddle. Turn left onto the Backbone Trail singletrack, cross back over Latigo Canyon Rd and continue on the singletrack back to the start. (18.0 miles; 5500' elevation gain). For those who are overwhelmed, you can turn back after 10 miles by turning left on Kanan and taking an easy ride back to the parking lot. Or, you can continue to Latigo Canyon Rd (almost 14 miles), turn left onto it (instead of crossing) and ride the quarter mile and turn left onto the Backbone singletrack where it crosses back over the road, riding the 2.25 miles back to the parking area on Kanan.