Inspiration Point Trail

After parking at the visitor center just up the road, you'll find the trailhead for the Inspiration Point Trail around the back of the Park Operations Center on King Gillette Ranch. Follow the trail straight in front of you that takes the steep route over the upcoming hill. After winding up the steep path, you'll reach a small turn off that will very briefly take you to Inspiration Point, which is the highlight of the trail. From here, there are amazing views of Malibu Gorge, Gillette Mansion, and the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains. Once you've had your fill of views from Inspiration Point, return to the Inspiration Point Trail. After heading south for a short amount of time, you'll come across a fork in the path with the Ridge Trail leading to the south. Stay to the left to avoid the Ridge Trail and follow the Inspiration Point Trail as it gradually winds its way down the hill through patches of oak forest. Once the path starts to flatten out at the bottom of the hill, the Inspiration Point Trail comes to its end. You can either return along the route you followed to this point or link up with the King Gillette Ranch Loop to see some other portions of the ranch. Thanks to John McKinney, The Trailmaster, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about trails in California, check out his guides at The Trailmaster Store.