Partington Cove Trail is a 1.8 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Big Sur, California that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is accessible year-round.
Note: As of October 2020, this park and its trails may be closed due to wildfires. More information here: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578 A hike down a steep road that will take you over a wooden bride and through a tunnel to a view of the protected Partington Cove. The hike back up the hill will be steep, but is short. There is a lovely quick side trip to a river if you take the path left of the wildlife sign before the bridge. Highly recommend--it's peaceful and secluded, and you can take some time to enjoy the shade and the sound of the water.
The Partington Cove Trail starts at a large pullout in a sweeping bend on the inland side of Highway 1. You can park on either side of the highwayon the west side there is the road down to Partington Cove with a gate at top.
The pullout to park is just 2 miles north of the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park turnoff, or 54.6 miles north of the Hearst Castle turnoff. Travelling south on Highway 1, the pullout is 9 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Entrance or exactly 6 miles south of Nepenthe Restaurant.
February 28, 2021Parking is on side of road and limited but we went on a Thursday and no issues. The trail begins with a rocky slope and is a little slippery but has beautiful views of the ocean. Once at bottom there are two paths. Make sure to check out both! Path to right included a stream with small waterfall leading to the ocean. Path to left included wooden bridge and tunnel that lead you to more beautiful ocean views. Adorable bench awaits you at the end to take it all in.
February 26, 2021February 24, 2021Can only access this trailhead from the north due to highway 1 being washed out just south of this location. Steep grade, but short trail down. At the end of the descent, the trail hooks right. On the left side will be a bridge that will lead to the tunnel and cove. Stay right and be treated to a beautiful rocky beach with a small creek waterfall. Definitely do both trails. Went on a Wednesday and there were about 10 other people on the trail. Parking was light. I expect the weekend to be a different story.
February 21, 2021Gorgeous, short hike. Just very uphill back to the road, but you can handle it! We extended our hike by climbing the rocks a bit on the end of the trail section you get through from the man made tunnel. Its one of only 2 trails that were open in Julia Pfeiffer Burns while we were there, but very glad we did it.
February 21, 2021Beautiful views at the end of the trail.
February 14, 2021A bit crowded on the weekend but gorgeous views!
February 12, 2021The cove is nice. Go near low tide to left side (through the tunnel, out onto the rocks) and you might spot some tidal pools with sea anemones.
February 8, 2021Super cute and super short
February 1, 2021Went last weekend and WoW. Tried to go Friday. Too cold and windy for my liking. Went back Saturday and wow this short hike captures Big Sur and all its beauty. When you come to the fork in the road on this hike. Don’t choose take both and checkout out both lookouts. Lots of rocks. Lots of water. Would imagine it’d be a great spot to shoot some drone footage if I had one that worked.
January 20, 2021pretty little hike decent hill but short not very busy
January 19, 2021Perfect frames view for a sunset!
January 19, 2021Con gran colina, pero que vale la pena. A big hill, but worth it.
January 9, 2021Beautiful views. The cove is peaceful and has two sea caves that shoot out seawater when the waves hit it just right. Easy, short walk. Going back up is a good incline.
January 3, 2021Nice little hike. Straight and to the point. It's a short trail but a bit steep. You can go across a bridge through the tunnel into the cove area, or you can also take another path. This path leads you straight to the beach (all rocks) where you can find a rock to sit on and enjoy the crashing waves. Definitely worth checking out.
December 31, 2020December 24, 2020Nice hike, a little hard to find where the trail is because it’s slightly tucked away. Best to come early before large groups of people come because the trail is pretty narrow out to the cove when you’ve reached the trees and have to go through the tunnel and to the rocks.
December 16, 2020December 16, 2020One of my favorite trails in Big Sur!
December 3, 2020Super fun, quicker hike. When you get to the bottom there are 3 ways you can take, to the creek, through the tunnel and to the cove. I highly recommend doing all 3, they’re each pretty in their own way. Super fun to climb around the rocks but be careful they are slippery. Out
November 28, 2020One of the most undervalued hikes in Big Sir. Top 3 favorite so far and well worth the short hike!! Park on the side of the road, steep but short climb down and up, but the cove views are gorgeous!
November 28, 2020Fantastic short hike. Burbling Creek, small falls, forest, ocean cove, tunnel and another cove!
November 12, 2020November 9, 2020The trail just reopened as of 10/25/20! I suggest going sooner than later before everyone realizes that it’s open again. We just went this past weekend on 11/8/20 and it was absolutely gorgeous. A quick and easy hike.
November 6, 2020Nice short trail. Beautiful!
November 4, 2020State website shows open 10/25/2020
October 30, 2020It’s technically closed right now
