The Ventana Wilderness owes its name to a dramatic mountain peak known as Ventana Double Cone. Legends relate that at one time the unique notch at the mountain’s top was roofed over by a rock bridge. Because of this legend, the early Spanish inhabitants named the outcrop “Ventana,” which means window in Spanish.
Containing 167,323 acres, Ventana Wilderness straddles the Santa Lucia Mountains south of the Monterey Peninsula. This unique area of rugged coastal mountains is managed by the United States Forest Service.

Topography in the Wilderness is characterized by steep-sided, sharp-crested ridges separating V-shaped valleys. Elevations range from 600 feet, where the Big Sur River leaves the wilderness, to about 5,750 feet at the wilderness boundary circumventing Junipero Serra Peak. Most streams fall rapidly through narrow vertical-walled canyons flowing on bedrock or a veneer of boulders. Waterfalls, deep pools and thermal springs are found along major streams.

The climate is mild. Precipitation falls primarily as rain from November to April and ranges widely from more than 100 inches annually along the Coast Ridge to less than 30 inches only a few miles inland. The cool marine influence does not extend past the coastal ridges, thus most areas east of the divide are hot and dry during the Summer and early Fall.

Much of the Wilderness is covered by chaparral. Contrasting annual grass meadows and open pine stands may be found throughout the Wilderness. The deep canyons cut by the Big Sur and Little Sur Rivers support virgin stands of coastal redwoods. Scattered stands of the endemic Santa Lucia Fir are found in rocky outcrops and rugged slopes at higher elevations. This rare spire-like tree is only found in the Santa Lucia Mountains.

Contact Information

To get the latest trail information for all of Los Padres National Forest call 831.385-5434 View Los Padres National Forest Maps. Be sure to click on the maps to see expanded views. More Trail Information For local Big Sur trail information call the "Big Sur Station" at 831.667.2315

Hikers and backpackers can find solitude while enjoying the diverse natural features of the Santa Lucia Mountains. The 237 miles of trails provide access to the 55 designated trail camps.

The Pine Ridge Trail provides visitors to the Big Sur Valley with one of the most popular portals into the Ventana Wilderness. The recently opened trailhead at the Big Sur Station has excellent parking, plenty of water, and clean restrooms. The Nature Station Store, which is located at the Big Sur Station, provides hikers with maps and other literature associated with the natural history of the Big Sur region.

When hiking the trail please refrain from entering the campground section of the park. Try to keep your impact to a minimum. Pack out your trash and protect natural water sources. Water should always be boiled or filtered before drinking.

For information about convenient Big Sur day hikes.

Looking for a local tour guide to maximize your time in Big Sur? Visit our Miscellaneous Services page to find local, knowledgeable (hiking) guides who can help you explore the beauty and wonder of the Big Sur region.

The Ventana Wilderness Alliance maintains an On-Line Trail Conditions Report of most, if not all, trails in the Ventana Wilderness Area. This is the place to check for the most current online information about trails.

Download our local Big Sur Visitors Guide, in Adobe PDF. (1.8Mb)
Click Here to download a birder's checklist of all the birds known to exist in Big Sur.