Moderate
California · United States
- Distance
- 3.7 km / 2.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 624 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 43 min
- Mountain
- Summit push
Santa Lucia Trail
HardCalifornia · United States
- Distance
- 24.1 km (15.0 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 1,053 m (3,455 ft)
- Typical time
- 6 hr 53 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Route type
- Point to point
- Highest point
- 1,287 m (4,222 ft)
About Santa Lucia Trail
Santa Lucia Trail is a 24.1 km hiking route in California, United States. It climbs roughly 1,053 m (3,455 ft) along the way, topping out at 1,287 m (4,222 ft). Most people take around 6 hr 53 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. Treat it as a full day out: the ascent is relentless in places and there are few easy escape points.
This is mountain terrain, and the scale of the surroundings is the reason to come.
It runs point to point, so arrange transport at the far end or plan a return leg before you set off. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.
Spring through autumn is the natural window, and shoulder season means fewer people on the narrow sections. The nearest town of any size is Soledad, about 30.1 km away, which is where most people base themselves.
In short, Santa Lucia Trail suits fit hikers with a habit of long days and an eye on the forecast. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Hard24.1 km1,053 m1,287 m
Numbered marks every 5 km
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
Elevation
Elevation profile
- Ascent
- +1,053 m
- Descent
- −1,377 m
- High
- 1,287 m (4,222 ft)
- Low
- 316 m (1,037 ft)
The route in detail
The route is normally walked in the direction described below. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The steepest pitch runs at roughly 29 percent, short but enough to slow most people to a crawl. The upper section is where the route earns its reputation, and it is also where weather changes fastest. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.
Highlights
- High point of 1,287 m (4,222 ft)
- Mountain
- Over 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of ascent
Know before you go
- Best season
- April to October
- Waymarked
- Not consistently
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Not recorded
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Generally usable
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 71/100
- Adventure
- 60/100
- Difficulty
- 83/100
- Accessibility
- 13/100
- Family
- 7/100
- Dogs
- 62/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Start at first light. A long day is far more pleasant when you are not racing the sunset on the descent.
- Aim for april to october for the most reliable conditions.
- Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.
- Some sections are steep enough to be awkward in the wet, particularly on the way down.
- Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.
Safety
Emergency services in United States are reached on 911. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Offline map and compass
- Head torch and spare battery
- Extra warm layer
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Real food, not just snacks
Photography
Shoot the first hour after sunrise from the higher ground: the low angle picks out every ridge and the valleys still hold mist. Take the shot on the way out. Conditions rarely improve by the time you come back past. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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