The hike kicked our ass, a lot to adventure and see. I think in total we had almost 15,000 steps and climbed about 109 stairs. read more

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Come here if you want to feel like katniss, the part before she volunteered as a tribute and spent most of her days hunting in the woods. This hike is no joke. Beware of bringing noobs on this hike because Ewoldsen will work you so hard and so good. In addition to being steep as hell, the trail is also narrow af. You have to basically hug the wall of the mountain to let the opposite traffic go. Sharing is caring! But be very careful because doing that stunt gets even scarier the higher you go up. The trail starts off only one path in the beginning. Right at the beginning, it's okay to take it a little bit easy. It's very chill at this point. And then suddenly, you face this "almost vertical looking" path and you're thinking to yourself "aw shit. What did I get myself into." But it's too late to turn back. I mean, you can but you traveled so far just to conquer this monster Ewoldsen. You might as well finish it and show off what you achieved! Anyway, somewhere along the trail, a wild fork appears. Which one to take? Left or right?? Choose wisely because one leads you to a never ending path! Just kidding. (Although, you may start thinking that about the entire hike). Per advice from people in the opposite traffic, My friends and I chose left. We really should have went right so that we went counter clockwise because then we would be climbing up less. I don't know if that made sense. We went left. And we ended up going up steep hills so if we had went right, we would be actually going down those hills instead of up. It's actually a loop so technically it doesn't matter if you choose left or right. You will end up at the same fork after completing the loop. The view on the top was stunning. Although, the McWay falls trail produced a prettier picture, you will feel more accomplished once you see the small waterfall from all the way on top of the ewoldsen loop. read more

Ewoldsen Trail - Midpoint of the ewoldsen loop! - Hiking Near Me - Big Sur, California

The Ewoldsen Trail is a loop in the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park but to get there is a moderate to difficult trail to get up to the start of the trail called the Canyon Trail which starts at the parking lot. When you get to the end of the Canyon Trail, you'll see a bridge over the creek and another small little sign that goes up to the right. This is the start and end of the loop. P A R K I N G Parking within the park is $10, but you can park along Highway 1 for free, just make sure you stay behind the white lines. It's not a bad little walk from Highway 1 to the start of the trail. R E S T R O O M S There aren't any restrooms on the trail so make sure you go at the parking lot where there is a restroom. Fairly clean as state park restroom goes. T R A I L The loop itself goes up...up up up...it's definitely challenging but not as challenging as Mission Peak since, if you go counter-clockwise, you'll be at least shaded by the trees and even in the areas where it's uncovered, there are patches of trees to take breaks under. If you go clockwise, you'll have a large uncovered path and you'll be a little sorry you went that way especially if it's a sunny day. Also by going counter-clockwise you'll have a lovely view of the ocean while you're going down and back to the start of the trail. Don't forget to go take the Waters Trail to the Overlook Trail as there's a lovely view from the top. You've already come this far, you might as well suck it up and head up a little more. Take your break up there and just soak in all the hard hiking you've done. One thing to make note of is...this is nature, so make sure you be careful in what you touch or what you sit on. We got to the point of the Waters Trail and my boyfriend sat down on a log and realized that it was covered with ants. I've also read stories about ticks and such so if you want to be on the safe side, use some bug spray. We were ok as we were pretty much covered head to toe just ended up sweating a ton. O V E R A L L This is a HARD moderate trail. So if you're not used to hiking gradual to steep inclines for a solid 2.5 miles, then you'll definitely take over 3 hours to do this hike. We did the whole thing in about 2-2.25 hours as we did take some time to take photos and such. I'm fairly active and this was a heart ticker for me so just make sure you bring water, dress accordingly, don't be a hero and take as many breaks as you need as well as bring snacks just in case you do get hungry. read more

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I judge difficulty and coolness of hikes on three things. 1) Do I get a good climb? 2) Do I feel, at any point, that I may need a Satphone or compass? 3) Is there a decent reward along the way or at the top/end? 1) This is a mostly gradual climb up to 1600 feet. There are very few flat parts but there are also very few crazy climbs. The trail itself is is about 4.5-5 miles so about 2 miles uphill was pretty good for me. At times my bum, quads, and calves were burning (if you are doing that "drive through the heel" banging booty move) and I definitely broke a sweat. 2) I am the worst when it comes to planning and am impatient. I got so excited to see the trees, fallen trees, babbling brooks, and bridges that I didn't quite pay attention to which trail we were on and defaulted to following the trail people. As we continued to ascend, the crowds of trail people thinned. We saw more people coming down on the same trail we were climbing. Is this a loop or just a climb???? We saw some same people twice...I started to worry that my memory failed me and had a bit of a Satphone moment. But, this trail is, indeed a loop! We kept going to......... 3) The reward!!! You will see the unobstructed ocean view provided to you by the ridge along Highway 1. For me, the climb and time was totally worth it! Sometimes a hike can be a bit of a wasted workout for me. Not this one! After about 50 sweaty minutes to get up, 40 minutes to get down, and lots of pics we were happy. After some investigation we found that we took a left when we got to the Ewoldsen Loop sign (I was distracted by the bridge that is on the left of that sign). There were 2 fallen trees on the 1/3/15. Nothing that is not manageable but you may need to use one as a "rope" to get around and back on the trail. Don't be afraid to park along Highway 1 because this park has a small parking lot. Happy Hiking Ya'll! read more

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Ewoldsen doesn't have the celebrity status of it's sister trail, McWay Waterfall Overlook Trail, but this Julia Pfieffer Burns trail offers a first-rate hiking experience with beautiful scenery, varying microclimates and some great cardio challenges. Pfieffer Burns Park boasts 5 trails (McWay, Canyon, Tan Bark, Partington and Ewoldsen), each offering a pleasurable experience. To get to Ewoldsen, go away from the ocean towards the east side of the park, right after the restrooms. This hike definitely gets the heart rate going and the gams a workout. Round trip from the parking lot up to the top (via the Waters Trail), around the loop and back to the start is about 5 miles. There are definitely a few challenging rises/climbs as you ascend toward the top. Be sure to take breaks (if you need) to rest and enjoy all the wonderful scenery. The hike takes your through a few gurgling creeks, vast groves, towering redwoods, lush green forests, several bridges and giant rock formations. This hike is really nice because the trees provide a lot of cover and create a nice canopy as you make your way up to the top. If you're wondering where the peak is, keep climbing until you reach a sign marked Waters Trail. This will take you straight up to the expansive views. Unfortunately, we were met with a thick blanket of fog that shrouded the ocean. Still quite a nice view of the hillsides, trees and canyons. There's an overlook bench up here to relax and soak in all the surroundings. Bring some water, light snacks and sunscreen in a small daypack. There are also several picnic areas with bbq pits at the entrance to enjoy a creekside-picnic. Check out the Ewoldsen Trail to experience a rewarding and inspiring sampling of Big Sur. read more

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This trail is difficult, hard, challenging, taunting, etc. Now I'll continue. A few Saturdays ago I came with a group of people for a day hike and I must say that I did not know what I was in store for. I read the reviews, did a google search, and still had no idea how hard this was going to be. At least 4.5 miles uphill with steep, narrow and curvy paths, where at some parts you could potentially slip and fall to your demise. No joke. This is an extremely beautiful trail in an untouched environment that is simply breathtaking. If you're by yourself you can totally zone out with your headphones on, or if with a group it's nice so you can chat to pass the time. Anyone is capable of conquering this trail - heavyset, old, young, etc. and once you've completed, you'll feel amazing. Other notes: - Wear sneakers with great traction as some parts are slippery. - Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. - Get there earlier (by 10am) to be able to park in the lot. - People on the trail are super friendly. - Take your time while hiking and let people pass you. - No signal. Take pics and keep it moving. You can upload later. read more

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A top-notch moderate trail. Well-maintained and clearly marked with a gorgeous variety of views and scenery. You can park in the state park lot for $10 if you're of that persuasion; however, street parking is free! The entrance to the hike is at the far east end of the parking lot, so if you park on the street you'll want to make your way on foot down the driveway to the main state park entrance (the driveway is just slightly down the road and across from the trail that leads to the famous waterfall overlook). You'll stay on the main trail for the most part until you get to a fork about a mile in. Going counterclockwise at the fork probably provides the most stunning views - most of your hard uphill part will be in the redwoods while at the top and going downhill you'll have incredible, expansive coastal views. The hike has beautiful coastal redwoods, oak trees and meadows at the top, and miles of coastal seascapes. Overall the hike is definitely a solid 5 miles and a bit of a workout given the significant uphill portion; not good for kids unless you want to carry them, out of shape people or people with poor footing, or whiny people. Would love to try this during sunset! read more

Ewoldsen Trail - Redwoods with the beginnings of a sunset on the way up - Hiking Near Me - Big Sur, California

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The reviews on here are.... really optimistic and positive about the hike's course and difficulty. Maybe it's to validate the view at the end. But after having done the hike, I think they're somewhat misleading. A few things to first note: 1) This is not a hike for elderly people who've never hiked before; anyone who is wheel-chair bound or uses a cane; toddlers and babies (I'd hope this was obvious); beginning hikers or those looking for a casual walk. It's a very steep trail and in fact, you're essentially going up a narrow, steep incline the entire way. Your legs and especially your butt will get serious workouts, and please keep watching your step! 2) Although the very beginning of the trail is shady, much of the trail is actually not. Especially with direct California September heat (high 80s over Labor Day weekend), you will be sweating and panting and wanting plenty of water. 3) Lots and lots of FLIES. I don't know if that's typically the situation here. But flies swarm you all the way from start to finish and rarely ever leave you. The sound of their constant buzzing is the stuff made of nightmares (I thought of the flies in the dystopian game, Limbo). I was warned by a couple coming down that the damn flies never end, even at the top. The young families that I did see here did not finish the trail (as in, they quit/stopped not even a third of the way) and headed back. It was apparent that many of the hikers did not anticipate just how steep and tiring the trek up would be. The older people I saw doing the hike all seemed so much more composed than everyone else! I'm guessing it's because they're experienced or else they wouldn't be bothering with this... I thought I'd have an appetite for lunch at the summit, but by the top I got up there, I absolutely did not have the wherewithal to eat. All I ate were some dried cranberries, which (along with water) kept me sustained, which was a surprise I later realized. Friend ate, well, some flies unfortunately. The top really is gorgeous though, standing over the blue, blue, blue ocean -- so expansive. Might be hard to really take it all in though because the sunlight shines directly on you up there, if it's not a foggy day. In this case, I'm not sure if the fact that you have to "work for it" helps. Because I think of McWay Falls and how breathtaking gorgeous it is and you really just walk down (not hike) a manmade path there. If that was the view you got after hiking then I'd say the hike is 100% worth it. But here, you do avoid the crowds while enjoying a serene view at the top. read more

Breathtakingly beautiful. This trail was everything I expected, and more. I'm still a bit doubtful on the total length of the trail because online it says that it is a 4.5 mile hike, round trip. However, it definitely felt a lot longer than 4.5 miles. The trail is described as moderate to difficult, I'd like to just point on that it's straight up difficult. As soon as the trail starts, you're hitting inclines that just seem never ending. However, it's the surroundings that make this trail worth the hike. Imagine yourself in a forest, with tall redwoods looming overhead. That's exactly the ambiance of this hike. There are a lot of fallen redwoods on this trail, and it's so perfectly fallen that it crosses streams and rivers. If you aren't afraid of heights like I am, then they're really great photo ops. There are several bridges made to cross streams of waters on the trail and again, also great photo ops. It's a loop, so once you hit a fork in the road, you have the choice of either going left or going right. We overheard a group before us tell us to take a left at the fork, so that's what we did and much to our surprise, the inclines only got harder. This is definitely not a hike for beginners or elderly folks. No matter which way you go, it'll take you up to an open peak where you're able to gaze down below you and see Highway 1, as well as the beautiful and vast ocean. I'd say that the view was worth the pain. You get to see the beautifully blue waters while surrounded by luscious green trees. Please, if you're going to try and hike this trail during the winter, plan for enough time before the sun sets, otherwise you're going to be hiking down in the darkness and it is not safe at all. The trail is ridden with roots, tree branches, stumps, and rocks eroding from the ground. If you can't see where you're going, it is very likely that you'll trip on one of these following things and fall to your death. The trail and walkway is very very VERY narrow, so you definitely want to be cautious while hiking this trail. Another thing is, if you time it just right, and you finish up your hike just as the sun is starting to set, make your way over to the Mcway Falls trail. It's about half a mile and totally beautiful. You'll get to see the small waterfall on the beach, and it's typically filled with people taking pics of the falls from all different angles. And for the best photo op, catch it while the sun is setting :) Everyone you meet is super nice,and they'll greet you with smiles and hellos. So bring your best and just enjoy it. :) Super awesome day hike, and totally worth the drive because there are so many places you can stop at along the way to take photos of the beautiful, blue, ocean. There is absolutely no signal or connection of any sort, so it's definitely a nice getaway from the distractions of the technological world. Parking is $10 if you can find any inside the park itself. If you can't, then your best best is trying to park alongside Highway 1. You'll want to keep your car inside the white lines on the side, because otherwise you'll get a hefty parking ticket of $100 from the park rangers. We witnessed two cars get ticketed because they were parked right at the stop sign...even though they were pulled in all the way. Just be careful! read more

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My g/f and I did the complete loop up and back down to the waterfall across the street on 2-14-16 and it was amazing! The scenery is beautiful and the overlook of the ocean at the end is something you enjoy even more because you earned it. Nothing can get you up there (or down), but your boots. We are in our 30's and novice hikers at best. We've hiked Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and others, but it seems this trail has the least experienced hikers on it that fail to yield to faster hikers so just know that going in. Random tips: STRETCH FIRST, bring a lot of water, energy bars, and salty snacks. Use sunscreen and bug off type spray. Pack light (a hat, t shirt, and shorts are fine) don't wear cotton. Take a lot of two minute breathers. We did not use trekking poles last time, but will the next time. read more

Ewoldson was such an amazing hiking trail. As I pulled in along with the group I was hiking with, we noticed the parking lot was full and being told by the park rangers that we can also park out in the road if we wanted too at zero cost. So we parked out in the road and walked in, which wasn't far at all. Befor you start the hike, there are some bathrooms on the left side of the road (no bathrooms out in the hike) the trail starts off with a good chalanging climb. The trail is maintained pretty good but has a couple obstacles to deal with, there were a couple trees down that you had to climb under, around or over. If your short on time for your hike, I would recommend you go left at the fork to enjoy the ocean views then head back the same way. If you have plenty time, make sure you go all the way around and complete the circle. Bring plenty of water and some snacks. I did not see any dangerous animals during my hike, plus there is plenty of other hikers around during the day. If you plan to hike late in the day, make sure you take a flashlight just incase it gets dark before you make it back to your vehicle. I will gladly come back again. HAPPY HIKING read more

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Yet another hike to add to my list of adventurist accomplishments! This hike was surprisingly hard and made me sore the next day. I think I hiked a total of 9miles that day. Some parts are shady and not so bad, but there are long sunny stretches that were really steep. It's a big loop without much of a view (but still worth it if you want a good leg workout I guess?) I got a couple mosquito bites whenever I stopped for a break... So hike at a good pace and don't stand still for long! If you're looking for something with a nice view like I was, I suggest toughing it out and hiking Andrew Molera Loop instead. I hear that one leads you to the beach coast. Other Things To See: -McWay Falls: it shares the same parking lot as the Ewoldsen Trail. -Cafe and Art Gallery: interesting pieces... You'll see when you get there. read more

Ewoldsen Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Sur, California

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tl;dr: $10 to park in the parking lot, nice trail, McWay Falls is awesome, take a left on the actual Ewodsen Loop for an easier time. Bring binoculars for the end for whale/dolphin watching. Also lots of dust and flies on the trail. For a longer explanation, this was a really highly reviewed trail in Big Sur so we decided to explore it. It definitely has a lot of gain (1600-1800ft, if you take the Water Trail up to see the view), and is about 60% shaded. It starts along a very peaceful stream and trees - the smell is incredible - and ascends quickly into quad-busting grades (you will probably feel it). After two small wooden bridges, you'll encounter the start of the Ewoldsen Loop - and we chose left just because. Later, when completing the loop, we found the other choice to be way steeper and we saw many exasperated hikers taking breaks up the almost brutally steep part. Then again, if you're up for a challenge, then go right at the loop. I promise I'm not playing tricks on you :) At the midpoint, you have the option of forking into the Water Trail (there's a sign there), which is 0.25mi up for the water view with the far-away whales and dolphins. There's a bench somewhere in there, and the trail does go on but I think most people take their pictures and then turn around the compete the loop. Note: There is a lot of bugs here, and it's rather irritating. At least during July, mosquitos, small and large flies buzz around you constantly. Our insect repellent unfortunately didn't seem to do much, but maybe yours will have more luck. 2nd Note: There's also a lot of dust, especially going downhill. If you're sensitive or allergic, perhaps consider bringing a mask for your breathing (and even sunglasses/goggles for your eyes) would make it easier to make it down. I probably won't be coming back to the Ewoldsen Loop soon as there's much of California to explore, but the McWay Falls is definitely worth a stop! PS: There are flushing toilets and running faucets (though no soap), and also a water spigot near the parking entrance. read more

This is a great hike. Redwoods, the flowing stream, stunning ocean views, huge tree trunks that have fallen down to make impromptu bridges?! This hike is right out of a movie. It starts out fairly basic, just wandering through the trees and stream--bumps up to more of a dirt path that's a steady windy incline for quite a while--turns into a beautiful top of the mountain, "I can see the ocean and highway1 from here!" hike--then winds past a ton of flowers and back into redwoods. When we went (May 2014) the last part of this hike (the part that turns it into a loop) was blocked off and we had to turn around and take the same path back. I think they're clearing off the trails of old dead trees. It's a great hike. Challenging but not too rough, hot but not blistering and the views are more than worth it. As with every hike, bring water, healthy easy snacks and comfortable shoes. ALSO there were quite a few bees so bring an EPI pen if you need it cuz you're definitely isolated up there in the redwoods. Happy hiking! read more

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Tons of blue skies above and below... amazing trail but I suspect that's a well-known 'secret' already; there were quite a few hikers here on a Wednesday morning in February. It's in Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP - not the same as Pfeiffer-Big Sur SP. Bring $10/car and don't expect the entry booth to be manned. Or else, if you're early enough, park on the opposite side of the highway and cross it to get into the park (trailhead is not far). Also: be prepared to shed layers as you climb from the parking lot to about 1500 ft. Parts of the trail are overlooking the ocean and exposed to the sun, so you will need sunblock. Good shoes can prove quite useful in the spring when the path is a bit more wet and slippery. Hans Ewoldsen, a former ranch foreman and resident of Big Sur (at least he was in the '90s), rebuilt this trail in 1933 from an old logging trail. I bought a blue spruce sapling from Home Depot over Christmas and replanted it here on the trail. I hope it survives among the huge redwoods. I got the coordinates and will be visiting again in 2-3 months. ... fingers crossed! read more

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Nice trail easy to follow but for some may not be an easy hike because it's a climb up for the coastal views before returning - it's a loop. But the climb up is assisted my the great redwoods which provide shade and shelter. Big Sur is also higher in altitude so it's cooler as well. The hike from the tunnel off the Highway 1 is probably 7 miles- so pack a lunch, snacks, water. It wasn't as crowded as I thought or people do the shorter trails. Julia Pfeiffer state park is a treasure in Big Sur. read more

Ewoldsen Trail - Ewoldsen trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Sur, California

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4.5 mile loop which took us about 2.5 hours to hike at a very leisurely rate. The hike was easy to challenging as some parts were flat and downhill and other parts of the trail were constant uphills. START - From the same parking area as McWay Falls but just head in the opposite direction, away from the ocean. TRAILS - We hiked in a counter clock-wise fashion which meant we were in the shade for a lot of the uphill switchbacks. - Almost halfway, there's a point where the trail veers off towards the right and it ends up at a lookout point supposedly, but we didn't get a chance to check this out. - The second half of the trail is much more narrow so watch your footing. - At one point, there is a ridge with a spectacular view of the coast. TIPS - Bring water as it can be a challenging hike. - Be prepared as a dayhiker! We saw plenty of people without water. We also saw families that started the hike right before sunset. Now not sure if they were going to do the whole loop, but the second part of the trail would have been difficult in the dark without a flashlight. Overall, I enjoyed this hike. It wasn't too easy or too hard. I also love that it has a variety of terrain ranging from shaded groves, mountain views, creekside trails, and ocean views. read more

The Trail: Great Big Sur Trail! I googled best Big Sur trail and found this trail on a website http://www.hikinginbigsur.com/mustsee.html listing the trails to do in one day. It took us 2.5 hours total. We started around 2pm. But I would recommend starting earlier so you don't get stuck driving in the dark when you're finished. It was a group of 4 of us in our late-20's. We did the short walk to see the McWay water falls - beautiful view. And then the Ewoldsen Trail loop. The trail is clearly marked and signage is good. There are some steep inclines, but it wasn't continuous as there were parts where it was semi flat. Most parts of the trail are narrow, and it seemed like we were walking up and then down and then up and up and then down and up again. So I would rate this as easy to medium. Parking: As we approached the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, we saw many cars parked on the side of the road aka the side of the cliff, so we decided to do that too (literally right up against the guard rail). It turned out that the parking lot was full anyways (I believe I heard it was $10 to park in the lot) but since we parked on the side of the road we didn't have to pay. Also, there is no cell service, or at least no AT&T cell reception. Reception went out about 30-45 min out and we were driving south to north on the 1. There are bathrooms, but a very long line for the women's as usual. We hiked this trail at the end of May. It was hot in the sun (relative to the temp in California, being from GA it was great hiking weather- minus the humidity!) But it was definitely cooler in certain parts since most of the trail is in the shade. I saw a many kids and families at the McWay falls, not so much on the Ewoldsen Trail. I highly recommend this trail if you're short on time! read more

very informative site here: http://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_ewoldsen.html It's a 5.1mi trail with incline (but it wasn't too bad hiking back down because of solid footing). Mostly shaded and you get some ocean views and lovely redwood groves. We parked in the lot ($10) and were about fourth in line, as the parking lot was on the one in one out policy. It ended up not taking very long to get a spot. The trailhead is very conveniently close to the parking lot. I'm glad we got a good hike in during our Big Sur weekend - it was a perfect amount of exercise and tranquility before heading off to dinner. We did the waterfall trail first then this one which is the order I'd recommend. Bathrooms are pretty clean here. read more

Trail is closed indefinitely. Something about safety concerns. Still good to check out the waterfall near the trailhead

It's OK to get a little lost in here at the bottom of the trail if you miss the path to the right of the brook leading up to the main trail. It's cool, quiet, and magical, and there's another waterfall that we accidentally stumbled upon when we went the wrong way. Other than that one issue we had with markers (and we weren't the only ones), it was a well-marked trail with great ocean views. It can be pretty challenging in places, but the bridges make all that worth it. read more

My favorite trail in the Bay Area so far! Very stunning views and lots of diversity throughout the trail; redwoods, ocean views, rivers, waterfalls, ect. Tips: Watch out of snakes. We saw three within the first 2 miles. Get there early because parking lot fills up quickly! read more

This trail is awesome! My husband and I went over to the McWay waterfall first and then the Ewoldsen trail. What my husband and I did not realize is that by staying to the left we missed the entry for the Ewoldsen and ended up at the waterfall; however on our way back we saw the Ewoldsen sign and did the Ewoldsen loop. The hike is amazing! A good elevation gain, but gradual and not too strenuous. The fog rolled in pretty deep along with light rain which made it that much more mysterious and amazing. The only downside was we could not see the ocean through the fog. This place is definitely magical and well worth it!!! I would say if you are in the area this is a must see. We were out on the trail a little over 4 hours or so and stopped after the loop was complete to eat some snacks. Also, we got there around 9 and opted for the street parking since we did not have to pay read more

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Go right when the trail forks and you'll have some gorgeous ocean views in front of you near the top/descent rather than behind you. Variable temps throughout the trail depending on sun vs shade, so wear layers. They say it takes 2:30-3hrs, but take that with a grain of salt -- we were in a rush to get to a Hearst Castle tour, so we hustled and managed to finish in 1:15 -- though we didn't linger to take in the views. read more

This is a lesser known hike but that makes it the road less traveled. It turned out to be a beautiful hidden gem and I recommend you to tough it out and do the hike on a clear day because the views are amazing. You get to see beautiful ocean views, as well as, mountain/valley views complemented by towering redwoods. Come prepared bring good hiking shoes and be ready to hike some inclines. Overall it was worth it :) read more

I heard a lot of great things about this hike and was a bit disappointed after hiking it. Maybe, it was a bit too hyped for me. The Big Sur website said this hike was a must-see, but I think the trail is ok. The views here are pretty average. The coastal views are blocked by trees most of the way up. Personally, I think there are better trails in the Big Sur area of you want sweeping views of the landscape. The trail itself, is better. It definitely gets your heart and muscles pumping. It is a starts off really steep and only gets more steep a bit past the halfway point. After that, it is straight cruising back down. After a steep climb in the beginning, the trail will come to a fork, but both paths are a part of the trail and it just loops back whichever path you choose. I wished the signs on this trail told us how much mileage was left. They just only tell you the trail name. This hike is ery dusty and full of mosquitos, so cover your ankles and bring bug spray. Parking is $10 in the lot or free in the street. There are some picnic tables in the beginning which is pretty nice. My friends and I enjoyed lunch there after completing the hike. Make sure to research this trail before coming as you lose signal in the Big Sur area. Overall if you are looking for scenic views, you should look at other hikes in the area. However if steep climbs is more your thing, this hike is perfect for you read more

Such a fantastic hike! We missed the trail at the beginning so we ended up hiking to a random waterfall about 1/4 mile into the woods, but it was fantastic. The trail is a little hard to find because it's sort of hidden up in the hills on the right. It starts out going up, up, and more up. It's a pretty intense climb to get up there but it's completely worth the work. *HINT* Get there early (we got there around 9:30-10) as it gets packed around lunch time and park along Highway 1 right across from the entrance and you'll save yourself $10 and it is no more than a couple hundred yards from the entrance so there's no downside to parking out there. HAVE FUN! read more

This is a wonderful trail! Definitely a good cardio workout, yet the views and different terrain you encounter are amazing! I would recommend that when you get to the fork in the road for the loop, that you take the right. That way, when you come down the mountain you are facing the ocean and it's not towards you back. I hiked with my boots, and my friend hiked with her Nikes. Both are sufficient, albeit she slipped and fell on her butt. Hilarious. Make sure you bring enough water, especially towards the middle of the day. read more

This is a tough hike but so beautiful you almost don't notice. The views at the top are worth every uphill step! The hike takes about 2 hours and you should try to save time to see the waterfall afterward so plan on 3 hours to enjoy Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. read more