Big Sur easily qualifies as one of America’s most iconic road trips, but to truly appreciate this impossibly dramatic juxtaposition of land and sea, you need to get out of the car and onto the trails. It’s a good thing that there are so many of them, allowing hikers to access deep canyons, dense forests, and mountain meadows that can’t be seen from the road.
If you’ve ever dreamed of driving California’s most famous coastal highway, the views are even better on foot. One important thing to note, however, is that most trails to the east of Highway 1 are now off-limits due to damage and erosion from wildfires, most recently the devastating Dolan fire in August 2020. Check the California State Parks website for trail closure notices and other information on the status of hiking to avoid disappointment.
This doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of great options for hiking around Big Sur. Here are the best Big Sur hikes, from north to south.
Soberanes Canyon Trail and Garrapata Coastal Trail, Garrapata State Park
Best hike for whale-watchers
2.8 miles each way (1.8-mile loop for the Garrapata Coastal Trail); moderate
Just 7 miles south of Carmel Valley, Garrapata State Park is where locals enjoy nearly 3,000 acres of pristine hillside meadows and a secluded stretch of shoreline that is usually missed by those rushing south to Bixby Bridge. Soothed by coastal fog, these former ranch lands are lush with wildflowers in spring and provide some of the coast’s most directly west-facing views, resulting in amazing sunsets.
For a mid-length out-and-back trip, the Soberanes Canyon Trail follows Soberanes Creek through ferns and redwoods before ascending the hill for spectacular coastal views. The short loop around Soberanes Point and Whale Peak, accessed via the Coastal Bluff Trail, is a top choice for spotting gray and humpback whales during their winter and spring migrations.
Beach Trail, Creamery Trail, and Ridge Trail, Andrew Molera State Park
Best hike to a secret beach
2.3-mile loop to the beach; 8.7-mile loop along the ridge; easy to moderate
Many people come to Andrew Molera State Park solely to visit the protected beach at the mouth of the Big Sur River, but hikers know that this is only one of the park’s hidden treasures. The best option for a looping hike to the beach is to go out via the Beach Trail and return via the Creamery Meadows Trail, which traverses lush grasslands once grazed by the cows of a local dairy.
You’ll see much more varied terrain if you walk the 8.7-mile loop created by combining the Panorama Trail, Bluffs Trail, and Ridge Trail, where stunning ocean views alternate with peaceful, shady patches of woodland. On this longer circuit, don’t miss the Spring Trail spur, which descends to the park’s extremely secluded southern beach.
Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Best hike for families
2.4 miles in total; Pfeiffer Falls Trail is easy; Valley View is moderate
Closed for over a decade for repairs, the Pfeiffer Falls Trail reopened in summer 2021 with a new boardwalk spanning the creek to protect this fragile ecosystem. Stairs and railings make the climb to the base of this pretty waterfall easier and safer, benefiting younger and older hikers, and eloquent new signage provides colorful explanations of the area’s geology, ecology, and history.
Starting from Big Sur Lodge, the trail splits into two, with the falls trail off to the right and the Valley View trail continuing up the hill. Together, these two routes create a satisfying 2.4-mile out-and-back trek, with the Valley View track terminating at a perfectly placed bench, seemingly suspended over the canyon below.
Buzzards Roost, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Best hike for wildflowers
4.8-mile loop; moderate
Prepare to climb on this one: the Buzzards Roost trail switchbacks up Sycamore Canyon to a high ridge with 360-degree views over the Santa Lucia mountains. The full loop involves 810 feet of elevation gain, but you may not notice the effort as you soak up the scenery, with areas of coastal redwood forest and wildflowers lining the trail well into summer. Early morning fog can hide the views; therefore, it’s best to leave this hike until late morning, or do it in the late afternoon or early evening when the ‘golden hour’ lights up the hills.
Pine Ridge Trail, Big Sur Station, Los Padres National Forest
Best hike for overnighters
12 miles each way; difficult
Few California trails generate quite the buzz that surrounds the Pine Ridge Trail to Sykes Hot Springs and the Redwood Camp from Big Sur Station. Once a historic post road connecting Big Sur Station to Tassajara Road in the Carmel Valley, the trail reopened in spring 2021 after being closed for almost five years due to damage from the 2016 Soberanes fire and subsequent storm erosion.
Nature wasn’t the only challenge – over the years, the springs were dammed and channeled into man-made pools and tubs, damaging the surrounding environment. Fortunately, the Ventana Wilderness Alliance and the National Forest Service collaborated to restore the springs and actively discourage further damage.
It’s a 10-mile trek to the hot springs and another two and a half to Redwood Camp, with possible overnight stops at the Terrace Creek and Barlow Flat hike-in campgrounds along the way. Continuing east will take you all the way to China Camp on Tassajara Road, traversing a large swath of the rugged Ventana Wilderness.
Tip: Since this trail traverses the Los Padres National Forest, it is subject to periodic closures to prevent wildfires; check the website for trail status reports before heading out.
Salmon Creek Trail and Silver Peak Wilderness
Best hike to a hidden waterfall
Hike to falls ¼ mile; Silver Peak Wilderness 15 miles; difficult
Think of this hike as a bit of a treasure hunt, with spectacular Salmon Creek Falls just a quarter-mile in, but extremely difficult to find due to limited access through the steep, dense forest. Once you locate the creek, a chain of rock-lined pools leads up to the ribbon-like falls, though it requires some boulder hopping to get an unobstructed view.
The trail climbs above the falls to a rocky outcrop with a breathtaking view of the canyon dropping to the sea, and then continues its steep climb into the Silver Peak Wilderness area of the Santa Lucia Range. Ambitious hikers can combine the Salmon Creek, Cruikshank, and Buckeye trails to create a 15-mile circuit through redwood groves, meadows, oak woodland, and chaparral.
Tip: As this trail lies within the Los Padres National Forest, it is subject to seasonal closures to prevent wildfires; check the website for trail status reports before you head out.
Boucher Trail, Piedras Blancas
Best hike for wildlife viewing
1.9 miles each way; easy
If viewing the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas is on your California coast itinerary, enhance the experience by hiking the Boucher Trail. This gentle meander along the bluffs passes just below the historic Piedras Blancas lighthouse. Starting from the northern end of the elephant seal parking lot, this out-and-back trail continues for 1.9 miles along the cliff top, while a second unmarked parking area by the highway at the north end allows you to reverse the hike.
The lighthouse isn’t the only photo op on this cliff-top stroll. Two overlooks offer excellent views of the elephant seals below without fellow wildlife enthusiasts crowding around you. While you’re here, consider taking a guided tour of the Piedras Blancas Light Station; at 100 feet (30m), it was one of the tallest lighthouses on the West Coast when constructed in 1875, before earthquakes forced the removal of the upper levels.
