Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time 67% Off onX Backcountry

Central Coast

  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. Central Coast
  4. View Sub Areas

Local tips or suggestions? Tell us!

loading
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

Gems in Central Coast - 2

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Gems

gem Favorite Though you'll have to navigate tight clearances, Bear Gulch Cave provides both a respite from the sweltering heat and the unique opportunity to explore a talus cave.

Bear Gulch Cave

(16) Soledad, CA
gem Favorite A juvenile california condor, as evidenced by the black head, glides on thermals around the High Peaks.

High Peaks Viewpoint

(7) Soledad, CA

Recommended Routes in Central Coast - 28

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite A juvenile california condor, as evidenced by the black head, glides on thermals around the High Peaks.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

High Peaks

5.1 mi 8.2 km • 1,444' Up 440.22 m Up • 1,447' Down 440.95 m Down

Soledad, CA
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Emerald waters!
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Molera Beach Super Loop

7.0 mi 11.3 km • 1,142' Up 348.01 m Up • 1,143' Down 348.3 m Down

Carmel…, CA
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Pinnacles National Park on the Balconies trail.
Intermediate Intermediate

Balconies Cave Loop

2.6 mi 4.3 km • 400' Up 121.84 m Up • 399' Down 121.74 m Down

Soledad, CA
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Sunrise breakfast on the summit.
Intermediate Intermediate

Bishop Peak Trail

1.7 mi 2.7 km • 830' Up 252.93 m Up • 44' Down 13.44 m Down

San Lui…, CA
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Sunrise along the Big Sur River at the Sykes Hot Springs location.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Pine Ridge Trail to Sykes Hot Springs

19.5 mi 31.4 km • 3,811' Up 1161.56 m Up • 3,810' Down 1161.27 m Down

Carmel…, CA
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite The trail continues through the forest along the creek.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Soberanes Canyon Loop

4.7 mi 7.6 km • 1,752' Up 533.86 m Up • 1,751' Down 533.82 m Down

Carmel-…, CA
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Bluffs over the Pacific Ocean
Intermediate Intermediate

Bluff - Rattlesnake Flats - Coon Creek Loop

7.5 mi 12.1 km • 703' Up 214.18 m Up • 707' Down 215.54 m Down

Los Osos, CA
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite A juvenile california condor, as evidenced by the black head, glides on thermals around the High Peaks.
Intermediate Intermediate

High Peaks Loop from West Chaparral Parking

4.2 mi 6.8 km • 1,259' Up 383.62 m Up • 1,258' Down 383.57 m Down

Soledad, CA
Explore in 3D
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite A juvenile california condor, as evidenced by the black head, glides on thermals around the High Peaks.
Difficult Difficult

Balconies and High Peaks Loop

9.0 mi 14.4 km • 1,718' Up 523.76 m Up • 1,718' Down 523.74 m Down

Soledad, CA
Explore in 3D

Central Coast Hiking

  • 767 Miles 1,234 Kilometers of Trail
  • 28 Recommended Routes
  • 2 Gems Gems
  • 89 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 262 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 63 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Share what you know about this area!
Share Your Local Tips!

Areas Within Central Coast

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
 Days w/
 
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Trails in Central Coast - 386

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Trails

0.2 mi 0.4 km #1Bear Gulch Cave Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Soledad, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Soledad, CA 13 
2.1 mi 3.4 km #2Bluff Trail
Easy Easy
Los Osos, CA
Easy Easy
Los Osos, CA 17 
5.0 mi 8.1 km #3High Peaks Trail
Difficult Difficult
Soledad, CA
Difficult Difficult
Soledad, CA 10 
4.7 mi 7.5 km #4Cerro Alto
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Atascadero, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Atascadero, CA 14 
0.6 mi 1.0 km #5Cypress Grove Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 8 
1.3 mi 2.1 km #6Soberanes Point Main Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 5 
0.8 mi 1.4 km #7North Shore Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 8 
0.5 mi 0.8 km #8Moses Spring Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Soledad, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Soledad, CA 13 
0.4 mi 0.6 km #9Balconies Cave Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Soledad, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Soledad, CA 8 
5.0 mi 8.1 km #10Kirk Creek Trail #4E17
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
King City, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
King City, CA 10 

Photos of Central Coast - 475

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Photos

Bluffs over the Pacific Ocean
Apr 16, 2015 near Los Osos, CA
Emerald waters!
Jul 1, 2015 near Carmel…, CA
Sunset on the hillside at about the midpoint of the Vicente Flat Trail.
Nov 10, 2015 near King City, CA
Sunrise breakfast on the summit.
Jan 21, 2016 near San Lui…, CA
Beautiful views on High Peaks Trail!
Jan 27, 2016 near Soledad, CA
Looking back toward the trailhead, we can see we're starting to gain elevation above the stream valley.
Jun 29, 2017 near Los Olivos, CA
A juvenile california condor, as evidenced by the black head, glides on thermals around the High Peaks.
Dec 1, 2018 near Soledad, CA
Grass Mountain in the spring!
Apr 5, 2023 near Los Olivos, CA
Welcome

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started