Trail Review: Valley View and Pfeiffer Falls, Big Sur State Park
Trailhead: Pfeiffer Big Sur Rd, Big Sur, CA 93920
Parking: $10 day use parking lot nearby or 90 minute free parking at the Big Sur Lodge
Distance: 2 miles loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Valley View and Pfeiffer Falls is a nice, short hike in Big Sur State Park. It brings you up above the Big Sur valley for some nice views of the surrounding area, plus it features a 60-foot waterfall.
Since we were staying at Big Sur Lodge, we were right next to this trail which starts to the side of the Lodge's main building. There is a sign nicely displayed to point the way:
The first part of the trail really just brings you through the lodge's property to the actual trailhead which is on the other side of a service road and is marked by a notice board. It's a well maintained trail, especially toward the beginning, with signage and wood fencing:
Very shortly after the official trailhead, the trail splits. The path to the right takes you to Pfeiffer Falls and is actually the path you'll take on the way back if you follow the route we took. The path to the left is the trail to Valley View and the way you want to go:
After this intersection, the trail really starts to climb. The path also narrows and loses the "guard rails". It's still a well-maintained trail with bridges and steps when needed. But it definitely feels like a real trail in the woods as opposed to the family-friendly section at the beginning.
As it climbs up into the hillside, the bugs also came out in force. They weren't biting but they were certainly swarming. It may have been the humidity. Either way, it was an extremely buggy hike for us.
There is one more intersection that you'll come upon. For Valley View, you again want to take the left-hand trail. The right-hand trail is the path to take on the way back in order to get to Pfeiffer Falls. There is a sign at this turnoff as well so you'll know when you see it:
Finally, you'll arrive at the Valley View overlook which features a bench and views of the Big Sur valley. You won't be able to see much of the ocean because of the topography, but it's still a nice view. We were the only ones at the overlook the entire time we stayed there.
After you've finished enjoying Valley View and you're ready to check out Pfeiffer Falls, you'll want to head back to that closest intersection and take the turn off for the falls. You'll quickly descend down into the canyon before then having to ascend some stairs to reach the waterfall. It all happens within a pretty short amount of time.
After the stairs, comes the waterfall. The first view is a little far away but still a nice view. Keep walking up the path and you'll come up to a closer viewpoint with some benches and a wooden fence separating you and the water.
(Got some cool waterfall drone footage!)
Once finished at the waterfall, continue to follow the path past the bench area. It's mostly downhill from here with lots of stairs and bridges to take you through the woods and back to the initial intersection. Once back at that intersection, it's just a short walk back to the trailhead!
Bottom Line: A nice, relatively short hike that gives you views of the Big Sur valley as well as a 60-foot waterfall.
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