Even short trails can be worthwhile excursions, and the path to McWay Falls is one of the prime examples of must-do trips along Highway 1. The trail is located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and provides both southern and northern coastal views, making it a unique and exciting trail to explore. The majestic 80-foot …
Big Sur Hikes
Hike Facts: • Length: 4.5 miles• Type: Loop• Difficulty: Easy to hard• Path: Good to tricky• Elev. Gain: 1,600 feet• Parking Fee: Yes• Restrooms: Yes Introduction The wonderful thing about the Ewoldsen trail is that it offers a highly scenic sampling of what you find with most Big Sur trails east of Highway 1. You’ve …
Introduction When you visit Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, this is the first trail staff usually suggests, and rightly so. A perfect, though slightly challenging hike for both kids and older folks, you get to walk among the giant redwoods and visit a rocky waterfall. Those looking for a bit more of a workout can …
An exceptional and fairly level hike through towering redwoods along several lush creeks, with both a waterfall and the historic limekilns among the sights. The Limekiln Trails are well-maintained and short with modest elevation gain and a series of creek crossings to keep things interesting. As a bonus, you can then take a short walk …
If you’ve got at least half a day, here is another great hike that will take you through a wide variety of Big Sur environments. The Tanbark Trail starts off in a redwood forest along Partington Creek, then lifts you 1,600 feet through the oaks and eventually drops down on the abandoned Tin House. You …
Though there are some small redwood and oak groves along the upper part of this route, this longish loop of trails is notable for spectacular coastal bluff views, and access to several remote beaches. This is our favorite bluff walk above the shore, and also tops out with southern views into the populated Big Sur …
Note: this Mill Creek Trail is not to be confused with another trail by the same name at the northern edge of Big Sur. Hike Facts: • Length: 3.2 miles• Type: Out & Back• Difficulty: Moderate• Path: Varies, tricky• Elev. Gain: 600 feet• Parking Fee: No• Restrooms: No This is one of those trails that …
One of the southernmost popular Big Sur trails, Salmon Creek offers a nice steady workout in addition to some of the most expansive views westward toward the coast. This is also a trail that you can hike as long as you like, turning back when you run out of steam, or stopping at either the …
Great mountain, ocean and creek views, along with a wide variety of tree and plant life. This trail has it all. After an initial set of switchbacks, the Cruickshank Trail is a fairly straight run along the canyon above Villa Creek, eventually winding down towards Villa Creek Camp and it’s gorgeous redwood setting near several …
The most scenic short coastal trail in our estimation, and one you won’t want to miss even if you only have time for a few stops along the highway. The Pacific Valley Bluff Trail is a simple flat path that crosses a large grass field to some breathtaking rocky cliffs high above the ocean. Hike …