United StatesCalifornia Old Topanga Canyon Road
Old Topanga Canyon Road Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

3.2
PDI
4.1 mi
DISTANCE
779 ft
GAINED
3.5 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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INTRO

This climb is not as scenic or popular as many of the other Santa Monica Mountains climbs.  The first 3.8 miles are through a canyon along very busy South Topanga Canyon Boulevard (Highway 27).  Traffic eases when we bend left onto Old Topanga Canyon Road at mile 4.1.
Average grade is 3.4% (3.7% climb only).  71% of the climb is at 0-5% and 26% at 5-10%. The steepest quarter-mile is 9.3%. 

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Roadway:  Two lane road in good shape without a shoulder.

Traffic:  Horrendous during commute hours and moderate on off hours.  Traffic lightens dramatically after turning onto Old Topanga Canyon Road at mile 4.1.

Parking:  On the side of the road just up Topanga from PCH (Map; Street View).


Provisions:  None on the climb although there is a gas station with food mart at the start. 
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ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Moderate
3.5
Road
3
Traffic
3
Scenery

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United States (CA)
28 ROUTES
35 POIs
ROUTE STATS (TOTAL)
359.9
mi
DISTANCE
45,284
ft
ELEV. GAIN
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38 ROUTES
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ROUTE STATS (TOTAL)
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DISTANCE
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ELEV. GAIN

NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY

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Mar 2, 2023
difficulty: Moderate
scenery: 4
traffic: 4
road: 3
Mar 2, 2023
scenery: 4
traffic: 4
road: 3
Very pretty.
Apr 17, 2021
difficulty: Easy
scenery: 2
traffic: 2
road: 4
Apr 17, 2021
scenery: 2
traffic: 2
road: 4
A good way to do some riding outside of the LA city area. There are places to park at both ends of the road.
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Topanga and Old Topanga Roads

Ride 8.2 miles gaining 1,501’ at 3.4% average grade.

Topanga Canyon starts at the busy Pacific Coast Highway. The start of the climb is just across the street from Topanga Beach, a famous surf beach in Malibu. There’s ample parking along the side of the road at the intersection, but since it is such a busy surf area, the spots tend to fill up during peak surfing hours!

The first 3.8 miles is along a fairly busy road, often with minimal shoulder.  For those traffic averse, consider beginning the climb in Topanga.

Unlike most other climbs in the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga winds through a steep and forested canyon, so there is little to no view for most of the ride. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell that you’re ascending, since you're surrounded by trees. This is one of the only rides in the Santa Monica Mountains that is shaded for a large portion.

3.8 miles at 3.6% average grade to the community of Topanga

Topanga comes from the Tongva tribe and means “where the mountain meets the sea”

Right at the intersection where you turn on to Old Topanga Road, there’s a little cluster of shops, among which is the Waterlily Cafe. Here I stopped and grabbed my daily afternoon macchiato, as well as an incredible Tuna salad sandwich.

We leave the main Highway 27 at the junction of Topanga and Old Topanga Roads.

Traffic is lighter on for the last 4.1 miles at 3.6% on Old Topanga Road.

Lisa Irizarry on Old Topanga Road