Charmlee Wilderness Park

Charmlee Wilderness Park is located up Encinal Canyon on the northern end of Malibu. There are public restrooms, shaded seating areas, water fountains and a parking lot ($4). The 590-acre park has many trails that add up to around 8 miles. We recommend grabbing a map at the trailhead, if they are available, or bringing your own copy from home (they are often out).

Charmlee has trails for all ages and physical capabilities that range in difficulty from very flat and easy to significant inclines and declines. You can pick one trail and stay for an hour, or explore the entire park and spend the whole day. One of the must see trails takes you to the “Ocean Overlook Area”. Here you can enjoy beautiful ocean views up and down the coast. Another awesome feature of this hike are the Ranch house ruins. Consult the map at the main trailhead to find both the Ocean Overlook and the ruins.

If we could use one word to describe hiking at Charmlee Wilderness Park it would be variety. There is such a diverse mixture of scenery on each of the different trails. One minute you are surrounded by tall trees, the next you feel like you have been transported to the flat lands of an African Safari, followed by incredible ocean views.

Charmlee also includes a nature learning center—check their website for times it is open to the public.