One of the great things about visiting the Ventana Big Sur, an Alila Resort, is its prime location in the pristine Ventana Wilderness which just so happens to include some of the world’s tallest trees – the Coastal Redwoods.
Hiking “The Walking Trail” Loop At Ventana Big Sur, An Alila Resort
The resort itself boasts the “Walking Trail” which wraps around the West side of the property and leads to a special grove of Redwoods called “Redwoods Circle of Life”. The Walking Trail can be combined with the “Walk to the Sur House” trail on the East end of the property to make a large loop-trail hike.
Trail Map Of Ventana Big Sur
Mileage Profiles: The Ventana Big Sur Trails
- The Walking Trail: 1.1 miles
- The “connector” (by the Fitness Center): .15 mile
- The Walk to the Sur House: .3 mile
- The Parking Lot “connector” to Walking Trail Trailhead: .15 mile
Total Walking Trail/Ventana Big Sur Loop Mileage: 1.7 miles
Finding The Trailhead
To find the trailhead head South past the valet area down the forested road until you see the trailhead marker on the right hand side.
The Valet drop-off
Keep going, look for the trail head sign on the right
These Wild Turkeys met us down by the trailhead
The Trailhead
From The Trailhead To The Organic Garden
The trail begins in a shaded area by a small stream and is relatively flat, easy, and well-marked. Much of the hike is shaded, but there are some sections that are directly exposed to the sun.
Guests should also watch out for Poison Oak; remember the old adage, “leaves of three, leave it be”.
Eventually, the trail will start sloping upward as it nears the Organic Garden.
Watch out for Poison Oak near the trailhead
The Organic Garden
A wooden staircase leads into the Organic Garden, where much of the resort’s food is sourced – including honey.
A Honey Bee hive
From The Organic Garden To The Campground Fork
From the Organic Garden, retrace your steps down the wooden staircase to catch the trail again. From here, head North along the Ridge.
Keep a lookout for the first glimpse of Coastal Redwoods which tower above all the other trees in the valley below.
The trail follows this ridge
A pair of Coastal Redwoods rise above the other trees
Ridge near Sur Vista
The Redwood Circle of Life
Soon the trail will pass just above the “Redwood Circle of Life”, a grove of large Redwoods which is one of the main attractions at the Ventana Big Sur.
The trail will continue to loop around the resort until the Oak House will become visible on the right (up the hill) just before arriving at a fork in the road.
At the fork, one way leads to the Ventana Campground, while the other continues back to the resort.
View into the Redwood Circle of Life
Now that’s a Redwood!
A view upward of the Oak House
Fork in the trail
The Optional Ventana Campground Trail Spur
Here, you’ll have the option of hiking down the hill into the Ventana Campground which itself has many beautiful large Redwood trees to admire.
Redwoods in the Ventana Campground
Image: ventanacamping.com
The Ventana Big Sur Back-way Entrance
Continuing on the trail, guests of the Ventana Big Sur must use their key to gain access and re-enter the grounds of the resort (campers from the Ventana Campground do not have access to enter the Ventana Big Sur resort).
Once inside the resort, guests can continue along the “connector” trail that connects the end of the Walking Trail [past the Fitness Center] to the beginning of the Sur House trail.
Guests must use their keys at this gate
Grove of Redwoods visible from the “connector”
Keep right to link up with the “Walk to the Sur House” trail
The Walk To The Sur House
After an easy and mostly flat .3 mile hike, guests will arrive at the Sur House restaurant area.
From there, guests can continue on past the parking lot “connector” to return to the trailhead of the Walking Trail to complete the loop-trail.
The Sur House Walk
Another Redwood Grove
Mileage marker
Look up!
Sur House rises in the distance
Arrival at Sur House
Hiking “The Walking Trail” Loop At Ventana Big Sur, An Alila Resort
In all, the total mileage of the Walking Trail/Sur House Trail [loop] will clock in at about 1.7 miles.
It’s an easy and beautiful hike that’s best to do on an early morning or late afternoon. It’s also a great way to work up an appetite or to walk of some food. Be sure to bring plenty of water and a camera phone and keep away from the Poison Oak.
Hiking amongst the Coastal Redwoods is a uniquely Californian experience that shouldn’t be missed at the Ventana Big Sur.
