When driving between Half Moon Bay and Pacifica on Highway 1, you can’t help but notice the large tunnel that you are herded through. While notable, the tunnel is actually far less dramatic than the former route of highway 1, the Devil’s Slide.
Famed for its frequent washouts and closures, this precarious piece of road was completely shut down multiple times in its history, and now has been totally bypassed. However, now that the old section of highway isn’t used as a road, it can be used as a mixed-use trail! Taking a day to drive up the coast, we had to make a stop here to check it out!
Miles/Elevation:
2.8 miles
344 feet vertical gain
About Pedro Point Headlands:
At only 246 acres, Pedro Point Headlands is a small piece of parkland. Centered around the Devil’s Slide, a rugged promontory on the Pacific Coast, the centerpiece of this area is the former highway 1 route.
Now closed, this section of highway was subjected to frequent slide-outs as a result of the steep and unstable ground, as well as the earthquakes that frequent this part of the world. When the tunnels that bypass the slide opened in 2013, this section of road was no longer needed, and was then converted into a multi-use paved trail.
Getting To The Trailhead:
Always be sure to follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles when in the outdoors!
The Devil’s Slide Trail has a northern and southern trailhead and you can park at either, though I think it makes more sense to park at the north lot. It shows up pretty clearly on Google Maps as the Devil’s Slide Trail north parking lot, so it shouldn’t be too tough to find. Located on Highway 1 on the coast, the parking lot is about 25 minutes from San Francisco, and 50 minutes from San Jose.
Most will likely take I-280 towards either Pacifica or Half Moon Bay, and then head towards the parking area on 1. The parking lot is about 13 miles north of Half Moon Bay and 2 miles south of Pacifica.
There is no fee to park at either Devil’s Slide parking lots.
The Devil’s Slide Trail:
From the north trailhead, the trail begins by heading up a long gentle slope heading west. I hadn’t done a ton of research about this trail beforehand, but I was a bit surprised that it was all paved. Just a heads up, this entire trail is on the former highway 1, all of which is paved.
After a quarter mile and 100 feet or so of climbing, you will crest the hill and the Pacific will emerge in front of you. The view right from the get go is phenomenal, and it will remain fantastic pretty much the entire time!
Always follow basic trail etiquette when on trail!
Once you get to where you can see the ocean, the trail begins a long and gentle ascent southward along the oceanside cliffs. The “trail” is paved (remember it used to be a highway) and while you can make quick progress on the pavement, I would prefer to be on an actual hiking trail. However, considering the road was already there, it would be stupid to try and get rid of it!
Looking to your right you will obviously have wide open vistas of the Pacific, but on your left the precarious slopes of the Devil’s Slide rise above. From looking at it, you can just tell it isn’t very stable! The rock looks loose and rotten, the foliage is barely hanging on, and most concerningly there are areas blocked off due to rockfall!
Purisima Creek Redwoods is another great park just outside Half Moon Bay!
After about a mile on the Devil’s Slide Trail, you will round a corner and encounter the southern trailhead and parking area. You obviously could turn around right here, but I would recommend continuing on just a little further to an old World War 2 pill box!
Beyond The Slide:
There isn’t an actual trail from the parking lot to the pill box, so follow the side of the road for a few hundred feet until you can turn off. From the road, it’s a dirt path to get to the bunker.
This piece of history is in pretty tough shape. The walls are covered in graffiti, the ground around it is eroded and washed out, and chunks of it are literally falling off. I think most of that can be forgiven due to the lashing ocean winds and salt this place deals with though!
Head across the street to Montara for a great coast-side summit!
However, even though it is in tough shape, it’s always great when you can see history in front of you. A group of soldiers spent their days in that little box carefully watching the ocean, waiting for enemy ships to emerge from the offshore fog. It must have been a lonely and stressful existence, but you can really imagine what it must have been like actually standing here!
Beyond the historical interest, continuing to the bunker also provides the added benefit of southward panoramic views towards Half Moon Bay. If you didn’t think the views had lived up to the hype yet, maybe this one will satisfy!
From the bunker, the walk back to the trailhead is as simple as not getting lost on the path you already took. The views will largely be the same considering you already walked this path, but you may notice a new angle of take on something! Anyway, before long you’ll be back at the trailhead and done with the Devil’s Slide Trail!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 9/10
There really aren’t many sub 3 mile hikes that have views like this, not to mention the bits of history and the ease of access. The only reasoning I’m not giving this hike a 10/10 is because it is on an old paved road, so it’s more of a walk than a hike. However, if you are looking for an easy walk/hike along the coast, this is about as good as it gets, plus it’s super accessible from San Francisco and the rest of the Bay Area!
Pros:
- Great views
- Oceanside trail
- Easily accessible
- History
Cons:
- Walking on paved road
- Noise and traffic
Alternative Hikes:
Purisima Creek North Ridge Trail
When To Hike The Devil’s Slide Trail:
Devil’s Slide is a place you can visit all year long, and you could get great weather any day of the year, or you could get rough weather any day of the year! That’s kind of the great thing about the northern California Coast, and the terrible thing! You’ll get amazing days in winter, and you’ll get nasty days in summer!
I would mostly say the best time to visit is a day calling for clear weather in Half Moon Bay and Pacifica, but to be more general, spring or fall are probably the best times of year to visit. Summer generally brings lots of fog, and winter brings rain and storms. Fall especially is a beautiful time to visit, but anytime of year, check the weather, and hope for sunshine!
Links For Further Reading:
Devil’s Slide Trail – California | AllTrails
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