Trails of Pinnacles

Lower Bear Gulch Cave Trail

Photo by Gavin Emmons

Pinnacles National Park has more than 30 miles of trails that showcase the beauty of the park up close and personal. Hikes range from flat stretches of grasslands to uphill climbs through talus caves onward to the rocky spires that Pinnacles is famous for. If you are new to the park, consult with a ranger at the Pinnacles East Entrance Station, the Bear Gulch Nature Center, or the West Pinnacles Visitor Contact Station. They can provide advice about trails, parking availability, as well as recommendations for different fitness and experience levels.

Always take plenty of water for each person in your group.
Bring a flashlight if your hike leads through a cave.

Trails from Pinnacles Campground

Campground to Bear Gulch Day Use Area
2.3 miles one way, 1-1/2 hours
Elevation: 300 feet
Moderate
Walk along Chalone and Bear creeks from the Pinnacles Campground to the Bear Gulch Day Use Area. A section of the Bench Trail between Peaks View and South Wilderness Trail may be accessible to visitors in wheelchairs.

Campground to South Wilderness Trail
6.5 miles round trip, 3 to 4 hours
Elevation: no gain
Moderate
Follow this unmaintained trail to the park boundary, or simply meander through the magnificent grove of valley oaks. Begin at the campground and follow the Bench trail to the South Wilderness marker. This trail is an excellent choice for bird and other wildlife viewing.

Campground to Balconies Cave
9.4 miles round trip, 4 to 6 hours
Elevation: 300 feet
Moderate
Hike along sunny Chalone Creek on the Bench and Old Pinnacles trails to Balconies Cave. On the return trip, cross over the cave via the Balconies Cliffs trail for views of the largest rock formations in the park. Flashlight required in the cave.

Trails from Bear Gulch Day Use Area

Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
2.2 miles round trip, 1 to 1 and ½ hours
Elevation: 500 feet
Moderate
This loop is a good choice for rock formations, talus caves, and the reservoir on a short hike and also a good choice for children. Bear Gulch Cave is open seasonally. Flashlight required in the cave.

Condor Gulch to High Peaks Loop
5.3 miles round trip, 3 to 5 hours
Elevation: 1,300 feet
Strenuous
Walk through the heart of the Pinnacles rock formations, particularly along the Steep and Narrow section of the High Peaks trail. Add the Rim and Moses Spring trails to extend the loop to 6.1 miles.

High Peaks to Bear Gulch Loop
6.7 miles round trip, 4 to 5 hours
Elevation: 1,425 feet
Strenuous
Climb into the High Peaks and descend along the ridge through meadows of grasses and, in the Spring, wildflowers. Return to the Bear Gulch Day Use Area under the shade of sycamore, buckeye, and Oak trees along the Bench and Bear Gulch trails.

Condor Gulch Trail
1.7 miles one way, 1 to 1-1/2 hours
Elevation: 1,100 feet
Moderate to Overlook, Strenuous beyond
This trail offers spectacular views of the High Peaks, whether you hike just a few minutes or the entire trail. Condor Gulch Overlook is only one mile up the trail.

Chalone Peak Trail
9 miles round trip, 3 to 5 hours
Elevation: 2,040 feet
Strenuous
Climb to the highest point in the monument, North Chalone Peak, and be rewarded with views of the surrounding valleys. Continue on an unmaintained trail to South Chalone Peak for a longer hike.

Trails from Old Pinnacles Trailhead

Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies Cave
5.3 miles round trip, 3 to 5 hours
Elevation: none
Moderate
This sunny hike to Balconies Cave also leads to towering rock formations: Machete Ridge and the Balconies Cliffs. Begin at the Old Pinnacles Trailhead. Flashlight required in the cave.

Trails from West Pinnacles Contact Station

Prewett Point Trail
0.9 miles round trip, 1/2 to 1 hour
Elevation: 70 feet
Easy
A gently hike with great views of the Hain Wilderness. The stabilized trail is 5 feet wide for 0.4 miles to the largest overlook. Between the largest overlook and the trail junction (counterclockwise) it is 3 feet wide for 0.25 miles. There is little shade, and the sun can be intense in the late morning and afternoon.

Jawbone Trail
1.2 miles one way, 1/2 to 1 hour
Elevation: -560 feet
Easy to Moderate
The Jawbone Trail leads northeast from the Prewett Point Trail, descending to the Jawbone Parking Area. From there it connects to the Chaparral Parking Area (0.3 miles).

Trails from Chaparral (West Pinnacles)

Balconies Cliffs-Cave Loop
2.4 miles round trip, 1 to 1-1/2 hours
Elevation: 100 feet
Easy to Moderate
This trail crosses up and over the Balconies Cave, then descends back down to the Old Pinnacles trail, which leads back through the cave. Scramble through the talus passages of the Balconies Cave. Wading may be necessary in the winter when precipitation creates flooding. Flashlight required in cave.

Juniper Canyon Loop
4.3 miles round trip, 2 to 3 hours
Elevation: 1,215 feet
Strenuous
This steep trail climbs along switchbacks to the heart of the High Peaks. At the top, circle through the rock formations along the Steep and Narrow section of the High Peaks Trail and begin the descent down on the Tunnel Trail.

North Wilderness Trail Loop
9.3 miles round trip, 5 to 8 hours
Elevation: 1,020
Strenuous
This unmaintained trail climbs along the ridge tops and then descends into the Chalone Creek bed, where it is marked by rock cairns. Return along the Old Pinnacles and Balconies Trail.

High Peaks to Balconies Cave Loop
8.4 miles round trip, 4 to 5 hours
Elevation: 1,540 feet
Strenuous
Begin by climbing into the High Peaks, and the rest of the loop is downhill or flat. Return along the Old Pinnacles and Balconies trails, going over or through the cave. Flashlight required in the cave.