I've been hiking these trails for 13+ years and send my clients on them regularly for outdoor cardio. Here are the 7 best hikes in Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village—from easy family walks to challenging summit climbs. All with parking info, difficulty ratings, and insider tips.
Hiking is the perfect complement to strength training:
Location: Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks
Distance: 2.2 miles loop
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Time: 45-60 minutes
Parking: Free parking lot (gets full on weekends by 9 AM)
Why it's great: Perfect beginner hike. Wide, well-maintained trails. Gorgeous oak trees provide shade. Multiple trails connect if you want to extend the hike.
Trainer tip: This is my go-to recommendation for clients just starting outdoor cardio. Flat enough to maintain a conversation but still burns 250-300 calories.
Best time: Early morning (7-8 AM) or sunset (6-7 PM) to avoid crowds and heat.
Location: Lynn Road, Thousand Oaks
Distance: 4.5 miles out-and-back
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Time: 1.5-2 hours
Parking: Street parking on Lynn Road (plenty available)
Why it's great: Beautiful canyon views. Less crowded than Wildwood. Wildflowers in spring (March-April). Connects to other Conejo Valley trails.
Trainer tip: Great for building endurance. The steady incline is perfect for heart rate training. I use this with clients training for events.
Watch out for: Exposed sections = bring sunscreen and water. Can get hot in summer.
Location: Cornell Road, Agoura Hills (10 min from Westlake)
Distance: 3.5 miles loop
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Time: 1-1.5 hours
Parking: Large free lot
Why it's great: Historic Western Town film set on the trail. Kids love it. Shaded sections. Dog-friendly.
Trainer tip: Perfect active recovery hike. Not too challenging but still gets you moving for 90 minutes.
Bonus: Check out the old Western movie sets along the way. Great photo ops.
Location: Yerba Buena Road, Malibu (20 min from Westlake)
Distance: 6 miles out-and-back
Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet
Time: 2.5-3.5 hours
Parking: Roadside parking (limited)
Why it's great: Highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains (3,111 feet). INCREDIBLE 360° views. Ocean views on clear days. Challenging workout.
Trainer tip: This is a REAL hike. Come prepared: 2+ liters of water, snacks, sunscreen. Your glutes and quads will be SORE tomorrow. Burns 600+ calories.
Best time: Fall/winter/spring. Summer is brutal (exposed, no shade).
Location: Wendy Drive, Newbury Park
Distance: 5 miles loop
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Time: 1.5-2 hours
Parking: Free parking area
Why it's great: Rolling hills. Beautiful grasslands. Wildlife sightings (deer, hawks, occasionally bobcats). Less crowded weekdays.
Trainer tip: The varied terrain (hills + flats) makes this great for interval training. Walk the flats, push hard on the hills.
Trail conditions: Can be muddy after rain. Stick to main trail.
Location: Flanagan Drive, Simi Valley (15 min from Thousand Oaks)
Distance: 5.5 miles out-and-back
Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet
Time: 2-3 hours
Parking: Street parking
Why it's great: Steep climb = serious workout. Summit views of entire valley. Less crowded than other popular trails.
Trainer tip: This is my "test" hike for clients who think they're in good shape. If you can complete this without stopping, you're fit. Burns 500+ calories.
Challenge: The first mile is STEEP. Pace yourself. No shame in taking breaks.
Location: Erbes Road, Thousand Oaks
Distance: 6 miles loop
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Time: 2-2.5 hours
Parking: Trailhead parking lot
Why it's great: Long, steady hike. Great for building endurance. Shaded sections. Connects to multiple other trails.
Trainer tip: Perfect for zone 2 cardio training. Keep your heart rate at conversation pace for the full 2 hours. Burns 450-550 calories.
Bonus: Rarely crowded. You'll have sections to yourself even on weekends.
For fat loss: Hike 2-3x/week for 60-90 minutes. Keep heart rate elevated (can talk but slightly breathless).
For endurance: One long hike/week (2-3 hours) at a steady pace.
For active recovery: Easy hike (Wildwood, Paramount) the day after heavy leg training.
Combine with strength: Lift weights 3-4x/week, hike 1-2x/week = optimal body composition.
Best for beginners: Wildwood Park, Paramount Ranch
Best for a workout: Sandstone Peak, Simi Peak
Best for families: Wildwood Park, Paramount Ranch
Best for solitude: Hill Canyon, China Flat
Best views: Sandstone Peak
All of these trails are within 20 minutes of Westlake Village. No excuses. Get outside and move.
I'll design a program that combines strength training with outdoor cardio (including these hikes). Westlake Village based, in-person or online.
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