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EWOLDSEN |
DISTANCE: 4.3 miles round-trip
HIKING TIME: 2 hours
SEASON: year-round
DIFFICULTY: challenging
Tourists flock to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to take the short walk to McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall pouring off a rugged ocean bluff and into the Pacific. You should certainly see the falls (the walk takes about 10 minutes), but then set off for a “real” hike on Ewoldsen Loop Trail.
The trail begins with a saunter along McWay Creek and its spectacular redwood forest; then the trail splits, with Canyon Trail at left and Ewoldsen Trail switchbacking uphill. Head right onto Ewoldsen Trail, which climbs steadily above the treetops. The loop starts at the next fork, about 1.5 miles out. Hike the right side first. You’ll alternate between dense redwood forest and more sparse oak woodland until at 2.5 miles you’ll see a spur trail signed as Overlook. Climb it steeply uphill for 0.25 mile until you emerge at a wide, grassy ridgetop with stunning views over McWay Canyon and out to the ocean—this bald, open viewpoint comes as quite a surprise. After a rest, retrace your steps to the junction, bear right, and take the downhill side of the loop. The total elevation gain along the trail is 1,600 feet.
From Carmel, drive 37 miles south on Hwy. 1 to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, on the east side of the highway, 13 miles south of Big Sur. Drive through the entrance and park near the restrooms. Ewoldsen Trail starts near the picnic areas on the inland side of the parking area.
