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Big Falls Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 59 Google reviews · Running trail in Arroyo Grande, California · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 76 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Big Falls Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Hiking area in Los Padres National Forest featuring kid-friendly paths.
What runners say about Big Falls Trailhead
“The hike can be steep in many places, but it's so beautiful out here,and after a good rain you have small waterfalls.”
“I definitely would not rate this as an easy hike, but only two difficult spot!”
Big Falls in Santa Lucia. It is about 50 minutes away from Avila beach. On the way driving into the park, I was able to see Lopez lake. ( very pretty). Mountain, mountains so manny of them makes me remember KCNT. Sharing road but not many car so no need to worried about it.
What a great hike! Expect to cross the creek 15 times in your car (so no sports cars). If you go on weekends, leave early since it is becoming more popular. Pack a lunch. When you get to the trailhead, you will hike about 2 miles cruising the creek 11 times. Plenty of picture opportunities and lots of shade!
Fun trail, cross the stream many times. Breath taking view. Do need to watch your step in some places. All in all fun trip.
I had been warned that you should take a 4x4 to get here and that was good advice. There are over a dozen river crossings (some where you literally drive up the river for 100+ feet) so a vehicle with high clearance and 4wd is highly recommended. We did it in a Nissan Armada with no problem.
Trail conditions & character
“The hike can be steep in many places, but it's so beautiful out here,and after a good rain you have small waterfalls.”
“When you get to the trailhead, you will hike about 2 miles cruising the creek 11 times.”
Plan your run at Big Falls Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- Loop distance76 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitefs.usda.gov
- Phone(805) 925-9538 ext. 0
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Arroyo Grande
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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