Rocky Ridge Trail

Rocky Ridge Trail climbs to one of the most commanding viewpoints above the Big Sur coast accessible to day hikers, ascending through dense chaparral and open rocky terrain to a high ridge with expansive views that encompass both the rugged coastline to the west and the deep interior valleys of the Ventana Wilderness to the east. The sustained 1,800-foot elevation gain over five miles makes this a serious physical undertaking, but the reward is a perspective on the Big Sur landscape that few visitors ever experience, far above the highway corridor and the tourist destinations that define most visitors experience of this legendary stretch of coast. Carmel Valley unfolds to the north between successive ridgelines, while the Santa Lucia Range extends south toward Esalen and beyond in an unbroken succession of dramatic peaks. The ridge itself supports a distinctive plant community adapted to the wind and thin soils of the exposed crest, including several species of manzanita and ceanothus not found in the lower chaparral zones. Peregrine falcons nest on rocky outcrops along the ridge and may be seen hunting the coastal thermals. The trail requires good navigational awareness as junctions are infrequently marked, and hikers should carry a map and water for the full distance. The sense of genuine solitude on this ridge, within sight of one of California most heavily visited scenic highways, is remarkable and makes the considerable effort completely justified.