Garrapata State Park

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The 2,939-acre Garrapata State Park is located about 10 miles south of Monterey along Highway 1. What was once a cattle and sheep ranch is now a spectacular state park. The park offers about 8 miles of challenging trails through classic Big Sur hills and canyons. While the park is beautiful year-round, it is particularly impressive in the spring when the hills are covered in wildflowers.

The trails in Garrapata State Park are exclusively singletrack, and much of it is extremely steep. However, your efforts are rewarded with stunning views of the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline from the top of the ridge. The elevations in the park range from sea level to just under 2000' at Doud Peak. The steepest trail in the park is the back side of Rocky Ridge Trail (the section that descends from the ridge to Soberanes Creek). The official park website lists this trail as closed indefinitely; however, as of April 2014 there are no signs indicating that the trail is closed and the trail is well-traveled. It is loose and washed out in places, though, so be careful when heading down this section.
PictureRedwoods along Soberanes Canyon Trail
As an interesting side note, when entering Soberanes Canyon you will find an entire hillside covered in hundreds of prickly pear cactus. Apparently this non-native cactus was brought north from Mexico by Spanish missionaries. The fruit of the prickly pear cactus is quite good; however, the prickly thorns and thick poison oak seems to keep anyone from harvesting it. 

There are two trailheads for Garrapata State Park along Highway 1. The park is not well marked so the trailheads are easy to miss. The run featured on this page starts from the Soberanes Canyon Trailhead, which is the southernmost of the two trailheads.  The Soberanes Canyon Trailhead is marked by a sign and trail map. There is dirt roadside parking for about a dozen cars at the trailhead.

The Dirt:
  • Click here to download a printable map of the Favorite Run below!
  • Click here for the official website with a link to the trail map.
  • Click here for driving directions to the Soberanes Canyon Trailhead via Google maps.
  • There are no dogs allowed in the park.

Extras:
  • There is no drinking water available in the park.

Favorite Run: Doud Peak Loop (5.8 mi, ~1900 feet elevation gain)

This spectacular loop takes you up the steep Rocky Ridge Trail to the top of the ridge for amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. Then, after a short out-and-back to Doud Peak (which is really nothing more than a grassy "bump"), you're faced with a knee-knocking descent, losing over 1500' in only one mile. The final portion of the route follows Soberanes Creek through a peaceful redwood grove and back out to Highway 1.

Note that backside of the Rocky Ridge Trail (the section that descends from the ridge to Soberanes Creek) is quite steep, washed out, and loose in places, so please be careful and watch your footing!

GPX Track

Printable Trail Map

Driving Directions
Route Details:
  • 0.0 mi: From the Soberanes Creek Trailhead along Highway 1, head past the trailhead sign and follow the trail that heads by the old barn.
  • 0.1 mi: Soon after passing the barn turn left onto the Rocky Ridge Trail (the trail is not marked, but it is the first left turn you come to). 
  • 0.3 mi: You will come to two consecutive intersections. Stay right at both intersections to head up Rocky Ridge. You will climb steeply for the next two miles.
  • 2.2 mi: Rocky Ridge Trail / Peak Trail intersection. Continue straight through the intersection to get onto the narrow Peak Trail (Note: you will come back here after your out-and-back to Doud Peak).
  • 2.8 mi: It is difficult to tell exactly where Doud Peak is, but somewhere around 2.8 miles you will come to a grassy high point which is, apparently, Doud Peak. Although the views from anywhere along the trail are amazing, so who cares if you are on the actual "peak"? If you go too far, the trail will start descending. After you think you've found the "peak", turn around and head back to the Rocky Ridge Trail. (Note: the Peak Trail seems to keep going here, and the satellite view on Google Maps seems to show that it actually ascends the next ridge. However, we have never attempted this section...)
  • 3.4 mi: Back at the Rocky Ridge intersection.  Turn left and start the steep one-mile descent to Soberanes Canyon. Be careful!!
  • 4.4 mi: After a very steep and washed out section, you will reach the start of the Soberanes Canyon Trail. Follow this trail all of the way back out to your car.
  • 5.7 mi: Pass the Rocky Ridge Trail on your right. Keep going straight past the barn to head back to Highway 1.
  • 5.8 mi: Back at your car!
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The spectacular (and steep) Rocky Ridge Trail
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The view from Doud Peak

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