Backpacking in Ventana Wilderness
4 documented trips · 8,930 total feet of climbing across all routes
Ventana Wilderness at a glance
CaliPeaks documents 4 backpacking routes in Ventana Wilderness, covering 53.8 miles of trail and 8,930 feet of cumulative climbing. Routes range from 8.5 mi (Big Sur Trail) to 22.3 mi (Pine Ridge Trail (Ventana Wilderness)), between 300 and 5,000 feet of elevation. The gentlest climbing is on Carmel River Trail at 800 feet of total gain.
The area is managed by Los Padres National Forest (USFS). None of the documented routes require a wilderness permit. The most-recommended months across these routes are March, April, May.
Vicente Flat via Kirk Creek
Vicente Flat is the quintessential Big Sur overnight: a 5-mile climb from Highway 1 with the Pacific on your shoulder, ending at redwood-sha…
Big Sur Trail
The Big Sur Trail is the Ventana Wilderness's redwood connector: 8.47 miles from Cold Springs Campground down through the Big Sur River's ca…
Carmel River Trail
The Carmel River Trail is the Ventana Wilderness's northern doorway: 13 miles up the Carmel River's redwood canyon from Los Padres Dam towar…
Pine Ridge Trail (Ventana Wilderness)
The Pine Ridge Trail is Big Sur's backcountry classic: 22 miles through the Ventana Wilderness from China Camp to the Big Sur River, past re…