Pacific Valley Bluff Trail, Big Sur
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: The Pacific Valley Bluff Trail starts across the road from the Pacific Valley Ranger Station, Big Sur, Highway 1.
Directions: On Highway 1, the Pacific Valley Ranger Station is 32.5 miles south of the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park entrance, 8.4 miles south of Lucia. It is 31.1 miles north of the turnoff for Hearst Castle, 4.6 miles north of Gorda.
Starting Point: Across from the Pacific Valley Ranger Station is a large sign: Pacific Valley Fire Station, Los Padres National Forest. We parked at the ranger station, but parking is also noted as being allowed on the west side of Highway 1. The trailhead is through a gate just to the right as you face the ocean with the sign at your left.
Info links: (if a link does not jump directly to the site, copy and paste the link into your web browser):
Los Padres National Forest info link (courtesy of the US Forest Service):
https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/lpnf/maps-pubs
Interactive Visitor Map: Los Padres National Forest (courtesy of the US Forest Service):
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/lpnf/maps-pubs/?cid=fseprd533836&width=full
Distance:
It is possible to walk straight out toward the ocean, about 0.5 miles, take a little bluff loop, and come back for approximately a 1 mile total.
A still easy but even more scenic 1.6 mile hike starts with 0.4 miles from the entry gate toward the ocean, then taking a right turn northward along the bluff through grassy fields, until you come to a little point jutting out past a scenic cove below a cliff structure. The small trail leading out toward the point has a fence that keeps cattle in but allows people to slip through to go a little further out to the cliff point. The views are spectacular.
Considerations:
• Toilet facilities are not available at this trailhead.
• You will be sharing the field with cattle. Dodge the cow patties.
• As on any trail, keep an eye out for poison oak.
• Dogs are allowed on leash.
• A newcomer to Big Sur myself, I know that I would need to keep an eye on mileage from key points to get a sense of where to watch the turnoff signs. Many Big Sur trails and park entrances start at very unassuming road turnoffs and require diligence to identify.
The trail:
This is about as scenic as a trail can get at this easy a challenge level. The terrain is mostly flat, and the path is reasonably smooth as you walk through grassy fields in the company of cattle. Go through the entry gate just to the right of the ”Pacific Valley Fire Station, Los Padres National Forest” sign across from the Pacific Valley Ranger Station. Head directly west toward the ocean from the gate. About 0.4 miles in, you have the option of just going straight and doing a small trail loop where the bluff juts out, or of turning right to walk north along the bluffs.
We took the path walking north along the bluffs and walked past the cliff and cove structure at our left.
After walking to the north end of the cove, a left turn toward the ocean leads along a small path toward a cliff point.
A gate allows humans to pass through but keeps cattle in the field. The views to the south and north offer their own unique sensibilities, with the cove to the south and interesting geological structures to the north.
The ocean view straight out is as glorious as any other stretch along Big Sur.
Turn back to face east and you see rocky hills with the inland view.
This gentle hike is a great way to enjoy a close up walking view of the coast. Much of Big Sur’s dramatic visual impact is due to the high cliffs the highway hugs as you drive along. The Pacific Valley Bluff Trail offers a more intimate view.
(Pacific Valley Bluff Trail Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Because” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: The Pacific Valley Bluff Trail starts across the road from the Pacific Valley Ranger Station, Big Sur, Highway 1.
Directions: On Highway 1, the Pacific Valley Ranger Station is 32.5 miles south of the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park entrance, 8.4 miles south of Lucia. It is 31.1 miles north of the turnoff for Hearst Castle, 4.6 miles north of Gorda.
Starting Point: Across from the Pacific Valley Ranger Station is a large sign: Pacific Valley Fire Station, Los Padres National Forest. We parked at the ranger station, but parking is also noted as being allowed on the west side of Highway 1. The trailhead is through a gate just to the right as you face the ocean with the sign at your left.
Info links: (if a link does not jump directly to the site, copy and paste the link into your web browser):
Los Padres National Forest info link (courtesy of the US Forest Service):
https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/lpnf/maps-pubs
Interactive Visitor Map: Los Padres National Forest (courtesy of the US Forest Service):
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/lpnf/maps-pubs/?cid=fseprd533836&width=full
Distance:
It is possible to walk straight out toward the ocean, about 0.5 miles, take a little bluff loop, and come back for approximately a 1 mile total.
A still easy but even more scenic 1.6 mile hike starts with 0.4 miles from the entry gate toward the ocean, then taking a right turn northward along the bluff through grassy fields, until you come to a little point jutting out past a scenic cove below a cliff structure. The small trail leading out toward the point has a fence that keeps cattle in but allows people to slip through to go a little further out to the cliff point. The views are spectacular.
Considerations:
• Toilet facilities are not available at this trailhead.
• You will be sharing the field with cattle. Dodge the cow patties.
• As on any trail, keep an eye out for poison oak.
• Dogs are allowed on leash.
• A newcomer to Big Sur myself, I know that I would need to keep an eye on mileage from key points to get a sense of where to watch the turnoff signs. Many Big Sur trails and park entrances start at very unassuming road turnoffs and require diligence to identify.
The trail:
This is about as scenic as a trail can get at this easy a challenge level. The terrain is mostly flat, and the path is reasonably smooth as you walk through grassy fields in the company of cattle. Go through the entry gate just to the right of the ”Pacific Valley Fire Station, Los Padres National Forest” sign across from the Pacific Valley Ranger Station. Head directly west toward the ocean from the gate. About 0.4 miles in, you have the option of just going straight and doing a small trail loop where the bluff juts out, or of turning right to walk north along the bluffs.
We took the path walking north along the bluffs and walked past the cliff and cove structure at our left.
After walking to the north end of the cove, a left turn toward the ocean leads along a small path toward a cliff point.
A gate allows humans to pass through but keeps cattle in the field. The views to the south and north offer their own unique sensibilities, with the cove to the south and interesting geological structures to the north.
The ocean view straight out is as glorious as any other stretch along Big Sur.
Turn back to face east and you see rocky hills with the inland view.
This gentle hike is a great way to enjoy a close up walking view of the coast. Much of Big Sur’s dramatic visual impact is due to the high cliffs the highway hugs as you drive along. The Pacific Valley Bluff Trail offers a more intimate view.
(Pacific Valley Bluff Trail Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Because” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
