Fernwood Big Sur Local Hikes

Hiking trails available from Fernwood Campground

Fernwood borders Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. You can easily hike from Fernwood into the park and enjoy these famous local trails.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Information center at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park at the trailhead of Pfeiffer Falls

Pfeiffer Falls: 1.4 miles roundtrip from trailhead. Easy hike. A scenic hike along Pfeiffer Big Sur Creek through one of the park's finest redwood groves ends at a 60-foot high waterfall.

Valley View: 2 miles roundtrip from trailhead or 1/2 mile from Pfeiffer Falls; easy. To beautiful views of Point Sur and the Big Sur Valley.

Oak Grove Trail: 3 miles roundtrip from the entrance to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, easy to moderate hike. This trail intersects with the Pfeiffer Falls trail. There is a variety of ecosystems beginning with redwood groves, open oak woodlands, and dry chaparral.

Buzzard's Roost: 4.8 miles rountrip loop, moderate. Along shady redwoods to a switchback trail through tan oaks and bay trees, peaking at Pfeiffer Ridge with beautiful coastal views.

Mount Manuel Trail: Beginning at the Oak Grove Trail, 8 miles roundtrip, strenuous. A steep climb to the top of 3,379 foot Manuel Peak.

Andrew Molera State Park is located a few miles north of Fernwood but has some fantastic hiking and beachcombing. A short drive or a bicycle ride through the Big Sur Valley would be appropriate.

Andrew Molera State Park

Creamery Meadow to Molera Beach: 2 miles roundtrip, easy. A stroll through Creamery Meadow to a driftwood covered Molera beach.

Molera 8-mile loop: 8 miles roundtrip, moderate to strenuous. A combination of the Ridge Trail, the Panorama Trail and the Bluffs Trail with great coastal views and beach access.

Many of the trails at Andrew Molera have mountain bike access. Directly across Highway 1 from Andrew Molera is the entrance to the Old Coast Road, which is also good for mountain bike riding.

Ventana Wilderness Society has their office and bird ornithology lab in Andrew Molera State Park. They often offer guided birding adventures so check the local bulletin board for their schedule.

Click Here to download a birder's checklist of all the birds known to exist in Big Sur.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a few miles south of Fernwood but worth the drive to see the beautiful McWay Waterfall seen below and to enjoy the Ewoldsen trail.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

McWay Waterfall Trail: .64 mile roundtrip, easy. A quick walk to an overlook facing McWay Falls, an incredible 80-foot waterfall that drops directly onto the sandy beach.

Ewoldsen Trail: 4.5 miles roundtrip, moderate to strenuous. A loop trail starting in the redwood forest by McWay Creek and climbing to incredible coastal views.

USFS Pfeiffer Beach
Directions: Travel 1.5 miles south on Highway 1, take 2nd right after the Ranger Station at single lane road. Two miles to the beach.

Looking for more information to maximize your time in Big Sur? Visit the Calendar of Events on the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce website. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has an active Guided Hikes, Campfire Program, Junior Rangers, and Ranger Cubs programs through the summer months. A series of activities for the whole family. If you happen to be coming from another local campground or Inn, entrance to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park for the Campfire Program is FREE! When entering the park, let the Ranger at the kiosk know that you're there for the Campfire Program and they'll issue you an evening pass. Park day use fees apply for Nature Walks and daytime activities.

Click Here to download our local Big Sur Tourist Guide in Adobe PDF. (461k)
Click Here to download a birder's checklist of all the birds known to exist at Andrew Molera State Park, Big Sur.
All photos by ©Stan Russell

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