Best Hikes and Trails in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park | AllTrails

California#27 of 95 state parks

Best Trails in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

4,250 Reviews
Want to find the best trails in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 4 great trails for hiking and more. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Explore one of 1 easy hiking trails in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park that are great for the whole family. Looking for a more strenuous hike? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 19 to 2,043 feet in elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
Description

Named after a famous pioneering woman, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park boasts awe-inspiring views of 3,000 foot ridges dropping into the ocean below. This undeveloped area is situated along the east side of Highway 1 in Big Sur, and typically covered in a coastal fog.

Map of trails in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California
Park information
Acreage
3,762 acres
Park hours
Monday
8:00 am - dusk
Tuesday
8:00 am - dusk
Wednesday
8:00 am - dusk
Thursday
8:00 am - dusk
Friday
8:00 am - dusk
Saturday
8:00 am - dusk
Sunday
8:00 am - dusk
Contact
831-667-1112
Helpful links

Top trails (4)

  • Partington Cove Trail
    Moderate4.7(1443)
    #1 - Partington Cove Trail
    Length: 1.1 miEst. 41m
    This is a hike down a steep road that will take you over a wooden bridge and through a tunnel to a view of the protected Partington Cove. The hike back up the hill will be steep but short. There is a lovely quick side trip to a river if you take the path left of the wildlife sign before the bridge. It's peaceful and secluded, and you can take some time to enjoy the shade and the sound of the water.
  • Tanbark Trail and Tin House Loop
    Hard4.7(1247)
    #2 - Tanbark Trail and Tin House Loop
    Length: 6.5 miEst. 4h 1m
    This is a strenuous loop into the hills above Big Sur with amazing views along the coast as far as the eye can see. This tough climb away from Hwy1 will reward you with breathtaking views along the Big Sur coastline as far as the eye can see. The trail starts through redwood and oak forests on the side of a creek and almost exclusively climbs up to the Tin House where the trees clear and leave you with an unrestricted view across the canyon and down to the shoreline below.
  • Overlook Trail to McWay Falls
    Easy4.1(1383)
    #3 - Overlook Trail to McWay Falls
    Length: 0.4 miEst. 8m
    There is no beach access here. Any attempt to get down to the beach is a citable and arrestable offense. This area is extremely hazardous. Please stay on the trail. This short hike will give you some of the most stunning views in all of Big Sur for the least amount of effort. This hike leads you to a trail on the cliffs along the coast. At the viewpoint, you can see McWay Falls pouring down on the sandy beach below in McWay cove. The route can be accessed from the south parking lot or the...
  • Ewoldsen Trail [CLOSED]
    Hard4.4(177)
    #4 - Ewoldsen Trail [CLOSED]
    Length: 3.9 miEst. 2h 32m
    Many locals say that this is the best day hike in Big Sur. You'll spend equal time in a riparian redwood forest, chaparral, and grassland while also experiencing expansive ocean views. If you have only one day to see the sights in the area, this trail is a good complement to the McWay Falls trail that also starts from the same parking area. Expect to encounter beautiful old-growth redwood forests, scrub landscapes, and sweeping canyon and ocean views.

Helpful reviews of trails in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

7 months ago
Overlook Trail to McWay Falls
The listed path is extremely short as seemingly the only way to view the falls - shooting directly out of the creek onto the beach. Not much of a hike, but an iconic viewpoint. Most trails are closed in this area with $10 parking fee at Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP lot.

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      Frequently asked trail questions about Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

      Where is the best place to hike in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park?

      According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is Partington Cove Trail, which has a 4.7 star rating from 1,443 reviews. This trail is 1.1 mi long with an elevation gain of 341 ft.

      What is the longest trail in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park?

      According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is Tanbark Trail and Tin House Loop. This trail is estimated to be 6.5 mi long.

      How many trails are in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park?

      There are 4 trails in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. These trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 4,250 AllTrails community reviews.

      Which trail has the most elevation gain in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park?

      If you're looking for elevation gain, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park has you covered. Tanbark Trail and Tin House Loop boasts the most elevation gain with 2,043 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Ewoldsen Trail [CLOSED], which will get you 1,341 ft of elevation gain.

      Are there running trails available in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park?

      According to AllTrails.com, there is 1 running trail in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park which is Tanbark Trail and Tin House Loop with an average 4.7 star rating from 1,247 community reviews.