One of my favorite things about my Carmel Valley Ranch stay – and there were many – was the awesome on-property hiking trails.
Perhaps the overall best sampling of these trails is the Huff ‘N’ Puff & Horseshoe Trail Loop.
Hiking The Huff ‘N’ Puff & Horseshoe Trail Loop (Carmel Valley Ranch)
Here’s the Trail Guide I put together (based on my hike) which showcases some of the trail’s many points of interest.
Map of Carmel Valley Ranch
First things first, Carmel Valley Ranch – and the surrounding properties with shared hiking trails – is huge.
Luckily, the trails that comprise this loop are all clustered into the section of property that lies due west of the Lodge.
Image: carmelvalleyranch.com
The Official Carmel Valley Ranch Trail Guide
Carmel Valley Ranch has its own official Trail Guide, which can be found here.
I’ve placed a green star next to the four trails (below) that make up this loop hike.
Image: carmelvalleyranch.com
Map The Huff ‘N’ Puff & Horseshoe Trail Loop
The Huff ‘N’ Puff & Horseshoe Trail Loop is best hiked in a clockwise loop (see the green arrows below), starting from the trailhead in the Bluff Suites parking lot.
This way, you’ll get the steepest .15 of a mile out of the way at the very beginning of the hike, which will then allow you to thoroughly enjoy the mostly gentle descent back to Carmel Valley Ranch.
Image: carmelvalleyranch.com
Plants And Animals You May See On The Trail
Image: carmelvalleyranch.com
Image: carmelvalleyranch.com
Section 1: Huff ‘N’ Puff Trailhead To The Ridge
The “Huff ‘N’ Puff” trail is named that for a reason.
This is the steepest, and shortest, part of this entire trail.
It ends at the Ridge (elevation 625′).
The Trailhead marker
Lace Lichen line the trail to the Ridge
The Ridge
Section 2: The Spur Trail (Out And Back)
From the Corral on the Ridge, follow the fence line past the picnic area and Climbing Trees to the Sunrise Knob and Sunset Point lookouts.
The Climbing Trees
Sunrise Knob
Section 3: The Horseshoe Trail To The Appaloosa Trail Junction
From the Corral, follow the Horseshoe trail down to the junction with the Appaloosa Trail.
The Horseshoe Trail
Section 4: The Appaloosa Trail (Out And Back)
Take the Appaloosa trail to the Yoga Platform, the tree with the swing, and Appaloosa Pasture.
Section 5: The Horseshoe Trail To Carmel Valley Ranch
From the Junction, follow the Horseshoe trail back to Carmel Valley Ranch.
Be sure to check out the incredible views of the Valley and the Ranch.
The end of the Horseshoe Trail. Go left here to meet up with the Vineyard Path
BONUS: Section 6: Carmel Valley Ranch Vineyard To The Lodge
Follow the connector trail along the golf course until you reach this junction below.
Take the Vineyard Path back to the Lodge.
You can also take Bambi’s Path back to the Bluff Suites from the Lodge.
Entrance to the Vineyard
The Vineyard Path
Final Thoughts: Hiking The Huff ‘N’ Puff & Horseshoe Trail Loop (Carmel Valley Ranch)
I absolutely loved this trail!
It has a little bit of everything in an easy-to-moderate hike with total distance of about 1.5 miles. It took us a little over an hour and a half to complete the loop, but we were also taking our sweet time strolling through the property and taking pictures.
This trail is best hiked in the morning or afternoon and is good for people of all ages. Yes, the Huff ‘N’ Puff is the hardest part of this trail but it is only .15 miles and mostly shaded.
If you make your way out to Carmel Valley Ranch, Huff ‘N’ Puff & Horseshoe Trail Loop is a “must-do”.
Cheers!
