Partington Cove Trail

The Partington Cove Trail descends to a dramatic rocky inlet on the Big Sur coast through a remarkable hand-cut rock tunnel that dates to 1887, when homesteader John Partington carved it to provide access for shipping tannic acid bark used in the leather tanning industry. The tunnel itself, blasted and chiseled through solid granite by hand, is one of the most unusual trail features on the California coast and lends the short hike a distinctly historic character. Emerging from the tunnel, the trail arrives at Partington Cove, a sheltered slot canyon inlet where dark green water surges through narrow rock channels with considerable drama during heavy swell. The cove was historically used as a landing for supply boats serving the isolated Big Sur coast, and iron rings cemented into the rock walls once secured cargo lines. The underwater kelp forest visible through the clear water is exceptionally lush and attracts divers as well as sea otters and harbor seals. The surrounding cliffs support colonies of Brandt's cormorants and western gulls. The combination of human history, geological drama, and marine wildlife makes this short trail one of the most rewarding quick outings in the entire Big Sur region.