Last updated: October 27, 2024
Thing to Do
Hike to Mount Wittenberg from the Sky Trailhead
NPS Photo
Distance: 4.5 miles (7.2 km) roundtrip
This hike provides the easiest route to Mount Wittenberg, the highest point on the Point Reyes Peninsula at 1407 feet (426 meters) in elevation. There is only 750 feet (225 meters) in elevation gain from the Sky Trailhead, as opposed to 1300 feet (400 meters) from the Bear Valley Trailhead via the Mount Wittenberg Trail. This hike is mostly within the Phillip Burton Wilderness. Please practice Leave No Trace principles.
Start at the Sky Trailhead, which is located along Limantour Road. Follow the northern section of the Sky Trail, which has some limited views of the ocean, through the woods for 0.8 (1.3 km) to the Horse Trail. Turn left and follow the Horse Trail for 0.4 miles (0.6 km) to the Z Ranch Trail and turn right. After 0.7 miles (1.1 km), the Z Ranch Trail brings you to the Z Ranch-Mount Wittenberg trail junction.
From this junction, the 0.3-mile-long (0.5-kilometer-long) Mount Wittenberg Summit Trail leads, as its name suggests, to the summit of Mount Wittenberg. The once unobstructed views from near the summit have, since 2000, become obstructed by dense Douglas fir thickets that sprouted shortly after the 1995 Vision Fire. While the 2020 Woodward Fire burned through much of the forest around Mount Wittenberg, the view-obstructing Douglas fir thickets were largely left unscathed.
However, as one continues from the Z Ranch-Mount Wittenberg trail junction along the 0.4.-mile-long (0.6-km-long) western leg of the Mount Wittenberg Trail to the junction of Sky and Meadow Trails, there are locations from which one may look west across the peninsula to the Pacific Ocean (weather dependent). From the Sky-Meadow trail junction, turn north on to the Sky Trail, which, in 0.5 miles (0.8 km) leads past Sky Campground, before returning to the trailhead 1.3 mile (2.1 km) later.
Mount Wittenberg took its name from Peter and Newton Wittenberg, who are believed to be the first occupants of the Z Ranch in the early 1860s. The Z Ranch was located at the present-day Sky Campground. The Z Ranch was the highest elevation ranch on the peninsula. All that remains of the ranch operation are eucalyptus and cypress trees that were planted as wind breaks and the remains of a concrete pathway that leads to the old ranch spring.
This route description alone is not a substitute for a trail map. Print out the Point Reyes National Seashore's South District trail map (3,422 KB PDF) before your visit, or pick one up at the Bear Valley Visitor Center on your way.
Always check current conditions before heading out into the park and familiarize yourself with park regulations. Please practice Leave No Trace principles.
Visit the park's Hiking at Point Reyes National Seashore page for hiking tips and information about trail etiquette and safety.
Visit the park's Trail Advisories and Closures page for current information about closed trails, trails blocked by trees, or other temporary hazards or advisories.
Details
Duration
2-3 Hours
Allow two to three hours to hike this route.
Activity
Hiking
Age(s)
All ages.
Pets Allowed
No
Pets are prohibited on the Sky, Mount Wittenberg, Z Ranch, and Horse trails. Visit the park's Pets page to learn where pets are welcome at Point Reyes National Seashore.
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Location
Sky Trailhead along Limantour Road, Point Reyes National Seashore
After turning onto Limantour Road, look for the "Sky Trail" sign after driving 3.4 miles (5.4 km). Turn left and park in the small lot at the trailhead. If this parking lot is full, park on the shoulder on the north side of the road. Make sure that all tires are off the pavement and that no part of your vehicle is blocking the westbound lane of Limantour Road. Allow 10 minutes drive time from Bear Valley to the Sky Trailhead.
Directions to Bear Valley
Directions from Bear Valley to the Sky Trailhead
Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
Winter
The heaviest rainfall occurs in the winter months. Come prepared for rain and drizzle to possibly last for several days. In between winter rains, it is often sunny, calm, and cool.
Spring
Most spring days are windy. Expect cool temperatures in March. By late May and early June, temperatures can be quite pleasant.
Summer
Although there is very little rain during summer months, there is often dense fog, which tends to burn off by mid-day. Afternoons are often sunny and warm to hot with a light breeze.
Fall
Point Reyes experience some of the clearest days in late September, October, and early November. The occasional storm will start rolling through in late October, bringing clouds, wind, and rain. The strongest winds occur in November and December during occasional southerly gales.
Time of Day
Day, Dawn, Dusk
Point Reyes National Seashore is open daily for day-hiking from 6 am to midnight. Overnight parking and camping is only permitted with a valid backcountry camping permit.
Accessibility Information
The Sky Trail is an old ranch road and its northern 1.4 miles (2.2 km) is maintained as a service road for NPS vehicles to drive to Sky Campground. So, this section of the route tends to be at least 8 feet (2.4 meters) wide with a substrate of dirt and gravel. The Sky Trail from its trailhead to Sky Campground is open to bicycles, strollers, and other wheeled devices. But, since this is also one of the steeper sections of the route, with a change in elevation of about 350 feet (106 meters), it may be challenging for someone in a wheelchair without assistance. The other sections of trail along this hike also follow the routes of old ranch roads, but these sections are not maintained as roadways and have largely become single-track trails that may be only a two feet (60 cm) wide in places. Wheeled devices, such as bicycles and strollers, are prohibited on these other trails. Wheelchairs are permitted on these other trails, but none of these trails meet the criteria for being accessible.