Located in a stunning valley within Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, the hike to Buzzards Roost is a short leg burner of a hike! With over 800 vertical feet of climbing in a bit over a mile one way, this is one of the steeper short hikes you are going to find!
Starting in the Redwoods and climbing to an elevated viewpoint with vistas of the Pacific, this trail really makes you work for its final destination. If you’re driving through Big Sur and are looking for a quick but intense workout, this is one of the best options!
Miles/Elevation:
2.6 miles
810 feet vertical gain
About Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park:
Located in the heart of Big Sur, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park sits nestled in a deep coastal valley a few miles inland from the sea. Flanking the banks of the Big Sur River, this park contains no coastal or beach access, but does harbor some ideal conditions for the growth of Coast Redwoods!
Containing only about 1,000 acres of land, Pfeiffer Big Sur is not a massive park by any means, but it is magnificent despite its small stature! Named for the Pfeiffer family, who settled and ranched this land in the late 1800’s, the park now is primarily known for its hiking! The numerous short trails here make it a great stopping point on a drive through the magnificent Big Sur Coast!
Getting To The Trailhead:
The trailhead accessing the Buzzards Roost Trail is located just off Highway 1 in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park on the Central Coast of California. There is not a robust public transit option in Big Sur, so you will most likely need to drive yourself.
The trailhead is about 28 miles south of Carmel and Monterey, about a 45 minute drive. From San Francisco, the trailhead is about a 2 and ½ hour drive. While it is doable as a day trip from the Bay Area, it does require a lot of driving each way!
Upon arrival at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, take Pfeiffer Big Sur Road to enter the park. Continue straight until you reach the entrance kiosk. Upon paying the $10 day use fee, continue until either of the parking lots. It doesn’t really matter which lot you park in, but the first one will yield a slightly shorter hike.
The Buzzards Roost Trail:
Starting Off:
From the parking lots in the park, you’ll first need to follow the River Path to reach the beginning of the actual trail. This flat and wide trail takes you along the Big Sur River back towards the park entrance and the beginning of the Buzzards Roost Trail.
After a quick few hundred feet, you’ll arrive at the boardwalk surrounding some of the park’s biggest trees! It’s worth a quick look at these monsters, and when you’re ready cross the bridge to really begin the hike! Once over the bridge, follow the path back around and under the bridge to follow the river downstream on the left bank.
One of the best hikes in Big Sur is a loop in Andrew Molera State Park!
As you continue along the river bank, the trail is almost totally flat and quite wide. This flatness won’t continue for long though, so enjoy it! After a quick quarter mile along the river, take a hard left to begin the ascent.
The Climb:
The first half of this climb is a sublimely made trail. It’s a beautiful single track and the incline is perfectly calibrated to be steep enough to climb quickly, but gentle enough to never be uncomfortably steep!
The ambiance of the first half of the climb is pretty cool too. You won’t have continuous views looking out over the valley as you climb, though there will be occasional windows through the trees. The main thing you’ll be looking at for the first half of the climb is Redwoods. You’ll soon climb to the upper branches of the bottommost trees, and then you’ll reach new ones higher up on the slopes!
Travelling to Big Sur? Check our complete Big Sur road trip itinerary!
After a bit under half a mile of climbing, you will reach an intersection. The rest of the hike is a lollipop: a loop where you will return to the spot you are currently at to then return to the trailhead. It doesn’t really matter which way you go here, but I took a right to hike counter-clockwise.
For more awesome coastal hikes, check out our list of the best hikes in Big Sur!
Once you hit the intersection, you have about 500 vertical feet of climbing left. You’ll slowly leave the Redwoods and enter leafier forest up high, and as the dense Redwoods abate, your looks out over the valley will increase in quantity and quality. Notably, you’ll have plenty of looks at 3,500 foot Manuel Peak as it stands guardian over Pfeiffer Big Sur in the valley below!
Stop at Point Lobos on your trip through Big Sur as well!
Honestly before you know if you will emerge from the trees, enter classic Big Sur chaparral, and reach Buzzards Roost, the summit for the day. The summit itself isn’t anything too crazy. There is a radio or cell tower at the top and a small area where you can relax and enjoy the view.
An easy nearby hike is the Creamery Meadows Trail at Andrew Molera State Park!
Speaking of the views, you’ll have plenty to enjoy! Looking west the blue waters of the Pacific reach out to the horizon while green hills and ridges make up the foreground. Looking inland, Manuel Peak looms large while the Manuel Peak Trail winds its way up the mountainside!
Make sure you have our ultimate road trip playlist if you’re driving to Big Sur!
There are certainly lots of views to enjoy, but I honestly wasn’t all that impressed by the summit; for me it was a bit of a mixed bag. The views are certainly good, but I didn’t quite feel the sense of accomplishment or awe that I normally do at a summit or viewpoint. Part of that is the radio/cell tower, but the fact that a road also basically leads to the summit had an impact too. It’s never as picturesque when there are motorcycles driving right in front of you!
Hiking Out:
After snapping a few pictures, I headed out. Continuing on the lollipop, my route down back to the earlier intersection was an all new trail which I hadn’t hiked on yet.
To be honest, I really didn’t notice a single difference! It was leafy woods that gradually turned into Redwood forest. A little too steep, but nothing crazy. Basically the exact same thing as the other way I took coming up!
Always follow basic trail etiquette when on trail!
Anyway, the descent went by very quickly as the trail quality throughout is very nice, and before long I was back on the valley floor heading back to the trailhead. After a quick 90 minutes or so of hiking, I was done!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 8/10
When you compare this trail to other hikes, it’s easy to forget that it’s only about 2.5 miles long. The big climb makes it feel like a longer hike, but even with that ascent it shouldn’t take more than 90 minutes to 2 hours to complete.
The trail quality is largely very good, and the views are solid, both at the top and during the climb. You even ascend to an actual summit. However, I just can’t really buy into this trail.
I know it’s less than 3 miles, and compared to other 3 mile hikes it’s still good, but I just feel like you do a lot of work for not that much reward. The view at the top is actually fairly underwhelming for Big Sur standards, and the climb is a 800 foot slog up through the woods. Compared to other 3 mile hikes, yea it’s not bad, but there are certainly better hikes to be found in Big Sur. Maybe the locale is what really brings down this hike!
Pros:
- Well made trail
- Big views
- Ocean view
Cons:
- Feels like a slog
- Views are underwhelming compared to other Big Sur hikes
Alternative Hikes:
Soberanes Point and Whale Peak
The South Shore and Cypress Grove Trail
When To Hike To Buzzards Roost:
Brazil Ranch might be the best short hike in Big Sur!
Big Sur is definitely a 4 season destination. Spring is a fantastic time to visit, and the weather should be pleasant and mostly dry. Spring is also the best time to see wildflowers in all their glory!
Summer brings the warmest temperature of the year (still comfortable), and morning fog that usually burns off by afternoon. Fall generally boasts the clearest weather, while winter brings the most precipitation, though it’s still a nice place to visit and you’ll get some really nice days throughout the year!
Honestly, I’ve been to this area every time of year, and Big Sur is always awesome!
Links For Further Reading:
Buzzards Roost Trail – California | AllTrails
