When planning a hike consider the season and how much rain might have fallen.
Fall is a great time for river hikes, or anywhere that requires driving on a dirt road, since creek crossings are easy and dirt roads are driveable.
In winter and spring, consider ridge trails after a storm. Summer is the least desirable season - hot, flies, fewer water sources.
Big-Sur-specific hiking info
For hike difficulty, note both total mileage and total elevation gain - in Big Sur the latter is often more important, with many ups and down along a route.
(Calculated elevation gains approximate, but useful for comparison.)
Be sure to check the latest trail conditions for your route - brush definitely increases hike difficulty !
As a guide, the "Average Trail Condition" along the route is given (100/100 = "Clear", updated weekly), with more detailed info at the "Route metrics & trail conditions" button.
2023 Update: Over the past 5 years the wilderness areas been damaged by multiple wildfires and erosion
from heavy rains, so trail conditions have deteriorated. Consequently I've had to remove several backpack routes - in particular, the collapse of the bridge
connecting Marble Peak Trail to the Arroyo Seco trail system has made impractical several popular backpacks. And current conditions for some routes have become iffy. So know the current trail conditions for your route!
Betsy MacGowan
(j.glendening)
Ventana Wilderness backpacking suggestions from Betsy MacGowan, Ventana wilderness doyenne
Shorter to longer:
• Carrizo Spring Camp: RoundTrip=5mi+1800ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=100/100
Views of rock formations, Junipero Serra Peak and "The Rocks" valley
• Vicente Flat: RoundTrip=10mi+2700ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=91/100
Redwood grove camping with views of Big Sur coast and Cone Peak along the way
• Pine Valley: RoundTrip=11mi+2800ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=100/100
Meadowed valley with pine trees and rock formations
• Tassajara Loop: RoundTrip=12mi+7300ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=80/100
Horse Pasture Trail, Marble Peak Trail, Tony Trail, Marble Peak Trail, return
Narrow riparian valley, rock formations, views over mountains and valleys
• Lost Valley:
From Escondido Campround:
(Escondido Campground accessible by 4WD when ArroyoSeco-Indians Road open)
RoundTrip=12mi+3700ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=58/100
Lost Valley Trail, return
From Memorial Park:
RoundTrip=18mi+4100ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=71/100
Lost Valley Trail, return
Isolated valley, inland views
• Pat Spring Camp: RoundTrip=17mi+4880ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=82/100
Long Ridge Road (dirt), Skinner Ridge Trail
Views along ridgeline to reach iconic Pat Spring Camp
• Carrizo Loop: RoundTrip=17mi+3900ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=80/100
Carrizo Trail, North Coast Ridge Trail, Arroyo Seco Trail, return
Views of rock formations, Junipero Serra Peak, "The Rocks" valley, the coast and all around
• Route 1 South Fork Trail Loop: RoundTrip=31mi+7900ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=95/100
Boronda Trail, Big Sur Trail, South Fork Trail, Marble Peak Trail, North Coast Ridge Road, return
Coastal views, wide and narrow riparian valleys, inland views, etc.
(ambitious due to 72 hr Rte.1 parking limit)
• Ventana Double Cone: RoundTrip=31mi+8600ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=70/100
Long Ridge Road (dirt), Skinner Ridge Trail, Ventana Double Cone Trail
Views along horseshoe ridgeline to reach iconic Big Sur view
• Black Cone Loop via Pine Ridge Trail RoundTrip=31mi+9300ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=70/100
Pine Ridge Trail, Black Cone Trail, Marble Peak Trail, Tony Trail, Church Creek Trail return
Seldom visited (and now brushy) Black Cone Trail gives wonderful views of upper Big Sur River and all over the Ventana (and do read Details)
• Big Sur Loop: RoundTrip=34mi+9400ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=Closure
Pine Ridge Trail, Big Sur Trail, North Coast Ridge Road (dirt), Terrace Creek Trail, return
Coastal views, wide and narrow riparian valleys, inland views, etc.
Celebrate the 2021 clearing of the Big Sur Trail after 10+ years of being nearly impassable
Variable length:
Pine and oak forest with surrounding rock formations
• Carrizo Spring Camp:
RoundTrip=5mi+1800ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=100/100
plus excursion to Cone Peak:
RoundTrip=11mi+3800ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=72/100
Views of rock formations, Junipero Serra Peak and "The Rocks" valley - then views of the coast and all around
• from Los Padres Dam: RoundTrip=8-18mi AvgTrailCondition=73/100
Any camp along the Carmel River Trail
Narrow riparian valley amid oaks
• Vicente Flat: RoundTrip=10mi+2900ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=91/100
plus excursion to Cone Peak:
RoundTrip=12mi+3900ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=63/100
plus Cone Peak Loop (aka Stone Ridge Loop):
RoundTrip=16mi+5300ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=56/100
Redwood grove - then views of coast and all around
• Pine Valley:
RoundTrip=11mi+2800ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=100/100
plus excursion to Pine Ridge:
RoundTrip=7mi+2000ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=87/100
Meadowed valley with pine trees and rock formations - then views in all directions
• from Route 1: Boronda Trail to:
Timber Top Camp:
RoundTrip=6mi+2500ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=100/100
Cold Spring Camp:
RoundTrip=11mi+3200ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=99/100
Rainbow Camp:
RoundTrip=20mi+6100ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=88/100
Timber Top Camp has coastal views, Cold Spring Camp has inland views, Rainbow Camp has a river with views along the way
• from Route 1: Boronda Trail to Marble Peak Trail Camps:
Nearest Camp: Indian Valley Usecamp
RoundTrip=25mi+5700ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=85/100
Furthest Camp: Adobe Usecamp
RoundTrip=46mi+11,100ft.gain
Coastal views, wide and narrow riparian valleys, inland views, etc. - side trail possibilities
• Pine Ridge Trail: Trail Length = 23mi
West end low ↔ East end high : River canyon ↔ Mountain views : Redwoods ↔ Pines
Jack Glendening
(p.danielson)
Jack's Silver Peak Wilderness backpacking suggestions
Shorter to longer:
• Villa Creek Camp:
RoundTrip=5mi+1500ft.gain
Camp under trees near large creek with pools
• Estrella Camp: via Salmon Creek Trail
RoundTrip=6mi+1900ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=75/100
Waterfalls and stream lead to secluded camp
• Buckeye Camp:
from South, via Soda Spring Trail
RoundTrip=6mi+2000ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=78/100
from South, via Buckeye Trail
RoundTrip=7mi+2400ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=75/100
from North, via Cruikshank Trail
RoundTrip=9mi+2600ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=86/100
Pleasant secluded camp
• Three Peaks Loop: RoundTrip=15mi+4300ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=82/100
Salmon Creek Trail, South Coast Ridge Road (dirt), Three Peaks Trail, Spruce Creek Trail, return
Waterfalls, inland and coastal views, meadows
• Dutra Flat Loop: RoundTrip=15mi+4400ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=85/100
Baldwin Ranch Road (gated), County Line Ridge, Murry Mine Track, Spruce Creek Trail, return
Coastal and inland views, meadows
Apr.2023: corrected from previous incorrect routing along Route 1 to intended lollipop loop
• Lion Den Loop: RoundTrip=16mi+4800ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=79/100
Salmon Creek Trail, South Coast Ridge Road (dirt), Cruikshank Trail, Buckeye Trail
Waterfalls, inland and coastal views, cinnamon serpentine rock, endemic Santa Lucia fir, serpentine-endemic Sargent cypress
• Elk Camp: For adventurous solitude seekers RoundTrip=17mi+4900ft.gain AvgTrailCondition=85/100
Baldwin Ranch Road (gated), Elk Camp Trail, return
Coastal and inland views, meadows - route following skills required
• Mix & Match Segments from above hikes 
