Pine Ridge Trail (Big Sur)
~2 days · 22.6 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Pine Ridge Trail (Big Sur) is known for
The Pine Ridge Trail climbs from Big Sur Station near sea level to China Camp on Tassajara Road at about 5,000 ft — 19.5 miles point-to-point through the redwood canyons of the Big Sur River corridor in the Ventana Wilderness, passing Sykes Camp and its hot springs. Typically 2-3 days.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 1,033 ft to 15,545 ft over 22.6 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 11.7 mi · 52%
- Downhill 8.4 mi · 37%
- Flat 2.5 mi · 11%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Pine Ridge Trail (Big Sur)?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Pine Ridge Trail (Big Sur) scores 43/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Pine Ridge Trail (Big Sur) take?
Most backpackers hike the Pine Ridge Trail (Big Sur) in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 22.6 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Pine Ridge Trail (Big Sur)?
The Pine Ridge Trail (Big Sur) climbs roughly 9,265 ft total — about 410 ft per mile, topping out near 4,757 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.