Cave of Munits

The perfect day trip from Los Angeles, Cave of Munits in West Hills ca offers a unique experience for the adventurous and outdoor enthusiast alike. This is a popular hiking & rock-climbing locale with a series of caves and elevated sunset views!

The trail starts at the El Escorpion Trailhead in West Hills, just off Vanowen Street. It's a short but continuous hike, with lots of places to stop and take in the scenery.

You can continue on to Castle Peak, but this hike is slightly longer and more strenuous than the route that connects from the Cave of Munits.

Starting from the trailhead, you'll follow a well-worn single track as it heads up through a series of oak trees. The shade isn't as plentiful along this route, so you'll need to pack some sunscreen and water if it's hot.

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After about a mile, you'll pass by a 3-way junction. If you want to explore the Cave of Munits, turn right and climb through a small opening on the left side of the trail. Once inside, you'll find a large, picturesque chimney cave with natural skylights that illuminate the nooks and crevices of the interior.

Once in the cave, it's a steep climb to get out, so bring good sneakers and plenty of strength for a challenging but fun walk. Once out, you can either turn around and go back to the start or try to scramble up the mountain behind it to Castle Peak (see picture below).

From the top of the ridge, the path goes straight up the hill, with a few boulders blocking the way. As you work your way up, look down toward Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve to the west and the Santa Monica Mountains in the distance.

To make your way up the rocky slope, use your feet and hands to carefully pull yourself up over the rocks. If you're not comfortable with that, there is a wide rocky ramp below the left side of the cave where you can climb to the top and explore more of the cave.

The cave is also a great place to hear the cooing of pigeons that are currently residing there. The pigeons' cooing is very interesting and adds an eerie element to the area.

There is a lot of broken glass on the way to the cave so be careful and wear shoes that have good traction.

It's a good idea to have your camera with you, as you can get some great shots of the cave and the surrounding area. You can also head to the viewpoint that looks over the entire canyon on your way out of the Cave of Munits.

The Cave of Munits is a beautiful little cave with a very unique history. According to legend, it was once home to a mythical Chumash Shaman named Munits who killed the son of a Chumash chief.