At Play on Rocky Peak

Hiking to Rocky Peak Above Simi Valley

11.16.2017

Big views, big boulders, and a great hike are all good reasons to rock out on the Rocky Peak Trail in Simi Valley. This hike takes you on a gradual ascent (about 1,000 feet in gain) for nearly five miles to (surprise!) a rocky peak whose 2,715-foot summit straddles the border between Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

A paved path charges immediately uphill and becomes a dirt-and-bedrock trail the rest of the way, always offering epic views of the Simi Valley to the west. At 0.75-mile, a sandstone wind cave is your first opportunity for rock play, plus a chance to duck out of the sun on this mostly exposed hike. Continue on and stay right at the junction, pausing for a breather a bit farther up for some incredible vistas to the east. All the while, you’ll encounter plenty of boulders that are a blast to scramble on to reach more views.

At about the 1.5-mile mark, the trail descends a bit and your 1.75-mile marker is a giant gnarled dead oak, a rather ominous perch for local crows and turkey vultures. The final ascent is a grueling one that rewards you with even more rock-framed panoramas. When the trail plateaus at an unmarked junction, take a sharp right and continue your ascent. Three prominent rocky peaks come into view. Your destination is the tallest one, also the farthest east. Maneuver around the first rocky outcropping and as the track narrows, stay right around the second set of giant boulders. Finally, with the peak directly in front of you, get ready to use your hands for some steep scrambling up the summit of Rocky Peak.

At the top, boulder-hop toward the easternmost point for some truly amazing 360-degree views of the surrounding Santa Susana Mountains and the Simi and San Fernando Valleys. Be sure to register your accomplishment in the guest book before rocking back the way you came.

To get to Rocky Peak, take CA-118 to the Rocky Peak Rd. exit. The small parking lot is just north of the freeway. Additional parking is south of the bridge over the 118. Dog-friendly!

Story and photos by Matt Pawlik, @mattitudehikes

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Perles Beach Angel Island San Francisco Bay

    Secret Beach

    A hidden beach and a killer view? Those are hard to come by, but that’s exactly what you’ll get at Perles Beach on Angel Island. Bike or hike to this beautiful pocket cove.

    View

  2. Cinematic Sonoma

    Longer days. Golden light. Wildflowers in bloom. It’s the perfect moment to plan your spring escape to Sonoma for the Sonoma International Film Festival, March 25–29. No fuss. No sprawl. Just films, friends, fresh air, and that unmistakable Sonoma glow.

    View
  3. Hike Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Mellow in the Marsh

    Beach, birds, ice plant popping purple flowers: That’s a hiking slam dunk! Hike about 2 miles at Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve using their easy to navigate (well-signed) Sequoia Audubon Trail.

    View
  4. A man is looking through his binoculars at sunrise at the Bayland Nature Preserve in Palo Alto

    Baylands Bird & Art Loop

    Combine an outdoor art walk and wildlife sightings at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. This 5-mile loop through Byxbee Park and the Emily Renzel Wetlands features striking installations by artists Peter Richards and Michael Oppenheimer—where the landscape itself becomes part of the canvas.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Tree Town

    Home to an estimated 21,000 trees and 100 acres of parkland, South Pasadena has earned its nickname: the City of Trees. This 2.5-mile neighborhood walk lets you experience its leafy canopy up close, winding through charming streets and three of the city’s beloved parks.

    View

  2. A Better Way to Baldwin

    The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City is one of West L.A.’s most popular hiking spots, but most visitors miss the bigger picture. This 3.5-mile out-and-back along a section of the Park to Playa Trail offers a fuller experience of this gorgeous nature park with sweeping urban views and a few artistic surprises along the way.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

    View
  4. A woman standing at the pond's edge at Ernest B Debs Regional Park in Los Angeles. Trees are making reflections on the pond.

    Urban Oasis Loop

    Home to the city’s Audubon Center, Ernest E. Debs' 282-acre park features a robust network of hiking trails and surprising wildlife diversity. More than 140 bird species have been spotted here. Birdwatcher or not, this 2.5-mile route makes for a gorgeous outing.

    View