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Big Sur Hiking
The Big Sur Backcountry provides a bounty of hiking trails for those seeking a true wilderness experience on
California's Central Coast.
The Ventana Wilderness encompasses 167,323 acres straddling the Santa Lucia Mountains within the two million
acres of the Los Padres National Forest. Los Padres National Forest maps.The Wilderness offers 237 miles of
trails and 55 designated trail camps.
California's Central Coast.
The Ventana Wilderness encompasses 167,323 acres straddling the Santa Lucia Mountains within the two million
acres of the Los Padres National Forest. Los Padres National Forest maps.The Wilderness offers 237 miles of
trails and 55 designated trail camps.
The Ventana Wilderness is characterized by steep-sided, sharp-crested ridges separating V-shaped valleys.
Elevations range from 600 feet at Pfeiffer Big Sur to 5,750 feet at the boundary circumventing Junipero Serra Peak.
Elevations range from 600 feet at Pfeiffer Big Sur to 5,750 feet at the boundary circumventing Junipero Serra Peak.
Streams fall to bedrock through steep vertical canyons, forming waterfalls, deep pools and thermal pools along the
major streams.
major streams.
Much of the Ventana Wilderness is covered by chaparral, contrasting with grass meadows and stands of pine. The
deep canyons are host to virgin stands of Coastal Redwood. The rare Santa Lucia Fir is found at the higher
elevations.
deep canyons are host to virgin stands of Coastal Redwood. The rare Santa Lucia Fir is found at the higher
elevations.
The Pine Ridge Trail (USFS Trail # 3E06) is one of the most popular routes into the Ventana Wilderness.
The trailhead at the Big Sur Station has excellent parking, potable water, and clean restrooms. The nearby Nature
Station Store provides maps and other literature about the natural history of the Big Sur region. Parking is also
available at China Camp.
Junctions: Ventana Camp Trail, Terrace Creek Trail, Big Sur Trail, Black Cone Trail,
Bear Basin Trail, Carmel River Trail, Church Creek Trail
Connects: Big Sur Station with Tassajara Road at China Camp
Camps: Terrace Creek, Barlow Flat, Sykes, Redwood, Pine Ridge, Divide Camps.
Information on Sykes Hot Springs.
The trailhead at the Big Sur Station has excellent parking, potable water, and clean restrooms. The nearby Nature
Station Store provides maps and other literature about the natural history of the Big Sur region. Parking is also
available at China Camp.
Junctions: Ventana Camp Trail, Terrace Creek Trail, Big Sur Trail, Black Cone Trail,
Bear Basin Trail, Carmel River Trail, Church Creek Trail
Connects: Big Sur Station with Tassajara Road at China Camp
Camps: Terrace Creek, Barlow Flat, Sykes, Redwood, Pine Ridge, Divide Camps.
Information on Sykes Hot Springs.
When hiking backcountry trails, keep your impact to a minimum. Pack out your trash. Be extremely careful with fire
and boil all stream water before drinking it.
and boil all stream water before drinking it.
For local Big Sur information and backcountry permits, call (831) 667-2315.
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Popular Hiking Trails at Pfeiffer
Pfeiffer Falls: This trail in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is just 1.4 miles roundtrip and takes you along a scenic route
following the Pfeiffer Redwood Creek. It passes through some of the area's finest redwood groves and ends at a
60-foot waterfall.
Valley View: Also in Pfeiffer Big Sur, this trail is two miles roundtrip and leads to an observation area where you can
see the coastline and valley below.
Oak Grove Trail: This Pfeiffer Big Sur trail is 3.2 miles roundtrip from the Big Sur Lodge and intersects the Pfeiffer
Falls Trail. This passes through a variety of ecosystems including redwood groves, open oak woodlands and dry
chaparral.
Mt. Manuel Trail: Also located in Pfeiffer Big Sur, this is a strenuous 8-mile trail that gives you an overview of the
Ventana Wilderness from 3,379-foot Mt. Manuel Peak.
McWay Waterfall Trail: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park features an easy one-mile hike to an overlook facing McWay
Falls, a spectacular 80-foot waterfall that drops into the Pacific Ocean.
Ewoldsen Trail: Also in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, this is a moderate 5.7-mile roundtrip hike that offers great
views of the coastline from hillsides covered in wildflowers and oaks.
Beach and Creamery Meadow Trail: A few miles north of the Big Sur Lodge is Andrew Molera State Park, which offers
this 1.8-mile roundtrip hike. The trail follows the Big Sur River and features many different plant species as well as
redwood trees.
Pfeiffer Falls: This trail in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is just 1.4 miles roundtrip and takes you along a scenic route
following the Pfeiffer Redwood Creek. It passes through some of the area's finest redwood groves and ends at a
60-foot waterfall.
Valley View: Also in Pfeiffer Big Sur, this trail is two miles roundtrip and leads to an observation area where you can
see the coastline and valley below.
Oak Grove Trail: This Pfeiffer Big Sur trail is 3.2 miles roundtrip from the Big Sur Lodge and intersects the Pfeiffer
Falls Trail. This passes through a variety of ecosystems including redwood groves, open oak woodlands and dry
chaparral.
Mt. Manuel Trail: Also located in Pfeiffer Big Sur, this is a strenuous 8-mile trail that gives you an overview of the
Ventana Wilderness from 3,379-foot Mt. Manuel Peak.
McWay Waterfall Trail: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park features an easy one-mile hike to an overlook facing McWay
Falls, a spectacular 80-foot waterfall that drops into the Pacific Ocean.
Ewoldsen Trail: Also in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, this is a moderate 5.7-mile roundtrip hike that offers great
views of the coastline from hillsides covered in wildflowers and oaks.
Beach and Creamery Meadow Trail: A few miles north of the Big Sur Lodge is Andrew Molera State Park, which offers
this 1.8-mile roundtrip hike. The trail follows the Big Sur River and features many different plant species as well as
redwood trees.
Trail Reports. The Ventana Wilderness Alliance sponsors and maintains a website that reports the most
recent backcountry reports available. You can find out the trail conditions before you set out on your trip. You can also
submit a trail report upon your return.
recent backcountry reports available. You can find out the trail conditions before you set out on your trip. You can also
submit a trail report upon your return.
| More Trails Around Big Sur Great Hiking Links: Hiking in Big Sur |
Cone Peak Trail (Ventana Wilderness)
This 2.3-mile trail leads hikers to Cone Peak, which is one of the highest points in the Ventana Wilderness. Upon
reaching the summit, hikers will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Big Sur coastline and Salinas Valley. On
clear days the Sierra Nevada can also be seen. Difficulty:Hard.
Directions:From Carmel head south on Highway 1 to Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. Turn left and drive 8 miles. Turn left
again onto a dirt road and drive 5.5 miles to Cone Peak trailhead.
This 2.3-mile trail leads hikers to Cone Peak, which is one of the highest points in the Ventana Wilderness. Upon
reaching the summit, hikers will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Big Sur coastline and Salinas Valley. On
clear days the Sierra Nevada can also be seen. Difficulty:Hard.
Directions:From Carmel head south on Highway 1 to Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. Turn left and drive 8 miles. Turn left
again onto a dirt road and drive 5.5 miles to Cone Peak trailhead.
Salmon Creek Trail
This 3-mile trail, one of the best-known trails in Big Sur, features a thundering waterfall in the winter and lush
vegetation in the spring. Difficulty:Hard
Directions:From Carmel head south on Highway 1 until nearly reaching the San Luis Obispo County line. You will
enter a deep canyon with an old forest service station across the canyon. The trail starts at the end of the horseshoe
canyon on the right side of Salmon Creek.
This 3-mile trail, one of the best-known trails in Big Sur, features a thundering waterfall in the winter and lush
vegetation in the spring. Difficulty:Hard
Directions:From Carmel head south on Highway 1 until nearly reaching the San Luis Obispo County line. You will
enter a deep canyon with an old forest service station across the canyon. The trail starts at the end of the horseshoe
canyon on the right side of Salmon Creek.
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