Big Sur Hiking Trails Reopen After Storm Repairs
Popular hiking trails in Big Sur have reopened after months of closure for extensive repairs following winter storm damage. Hikers can now access routes like the Pfeiffer Falls Trail and parts of Andrew Molera State Park. The reopening restores access to iconic coastal views, though some areas remain closed for ongoing work.
- The Pfeiffer Falls Trail had been closed for over two years after a redwood tree, felled by a storm in January 2023, destroyed a 15-foot section of its 70-foot pedestrian bridge. This trail is a major attraction for the estimated 750,000 people who visit Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park annually. - This was the trail's second major closure; it had previously been shut for 13 years following the Basin Complex Fire in 2008, reopening in 2021 after a $2 million renovation project. - The recent bridge reconstruction was a collaborative effort between California State Parks, the Save the Redwoods League, and the California Conservation Corps, salvaging and repairing most of the original structure. - Another significant route, the 14-mile Marble Peak Trail, also recently reopened after a multi-year project led by the Ventana Wilderness Alliance cleared extensive damage from wildfires in 2020 and 2021 and torrential atmospheric rivers in 2023. - The winter storms caused widespread damage beyond hiking trails, including multiple landslides that forced long-term closures of Highway 1, the main artery through the region. - The persistent Highway 1 closures have had a severe economic impact, with regional tourism losses estimated at $13 to $14 million per month, totaling a projected $520 million by the time the road fully reopens in March 2026. - While several areas are now accessible, trails in other parts of Big Sur remain closed due to ongoing repairs from fire and storm damage, including the Ewoldsen Loop Trail in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and all trails within Limekiln State Park.
