High Peaks Trail: The Most Beautiful Hike in Pinnacles National Park

The High Peaks Trail is without a doubt the most epic and beautiful hiking trail within Pinnacles National Park. It has 360 degree views of the park, unique rock formations and a closer look at the condors. There are multiple ways to hike and explore this area of the park, but I will share below the best route to reach the High Peaks Trail. This route has the most breathtaking views, is a much shorter option and still gets you to the most impressive section of the High Peaks Trail!

The High Peaks Trail also has sections that many afraid of heights or small spaces may not enjoy, so this guide will help you go prepared and make an educated decision on hiking here. I was able to do this trail while carrying my one year old son and never once felt unsafe, or I would not have done it. It’s important to know your own comfort levels and listen to them here.

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Things to Know About The High Peaks Trail

• Although this route is easily the most beautiful ways to hike the High Peaks Trail, it’s not the only option. Most of the other routes are much longer, but allow hikers to experience more of this amazing trail than this route. The reason I think this is truly the best route is because it allows hikers to see the most beautiful section of the High Peaks Trails, but also has the most otherworldly route there.

• Pets are not allowed in any of the buildings or hiking trails within Pinnackes National Park. They are only allowed in the picnic areas, campground, parking lots, and on paved roads. It is best to leave your pets at home while visiting here unless you must bring them along. Never leave a pet unattended in a car if the conditions are unsafe.

• Pinnacles National Park is greatly known for the California condors that call this beautiful park home. California Condors are an endangered species. Pinnacles joined the recovery program in 2003 as a release site for these birds. Being able to see these birds in their natural habitat again within the park is a special sight and worth a visit to the park alone. You can learn more about these amazing birds and what is being done to help them survive extinction, here. Never touch, approach or pester these beautiful birds.

• The High Peaks Trail route I’m sharing in this guide is on the west side of the park. The road into the park is a narrow one way road with a lot of turns and bumps. It’s important to know that this road is not open 24/7 like most National Park Roads. It is only open from 7:30am to 8pm. Be sure to plan your hikes around these times so you don’t get stuck in the park.

• Pinnacles National Park has only been a national park since 2013! It was a national monument prior to officially gaining it’s national park status. Because it is a newer park it isn’t as well known. This means is won’t be as busy as the more well known and established national parks in California, but it does get busy spring and summer.

• The stunning Pinnacle rock formations that make up Pinnacles National Park started being formed twenty-three million years ago. Over time the various plates and volcanic activity formed the rock formations we see. Eventually the plates slid, exposing the Pinnacles to the elements where they were slowly exposed and eroded away to what we see today. You can learn more in detail about the history and process of the forming of the Pinnacles, here.

• The High Peaks Trail has multiples stair sections carved into the rocks. Some areas have railing and handrails to help hikers navigate while other areas do not offer anything. At no point did I feel like I was on a cliff edge, but there is a short section where hikers will have to cross a narrow boardwalk along the rocks. This section required me to lean/duck a bit at 5’5″. Always listen to your instincts and be willing to turn around if you feel uncomfortable. I carried my son on this trail and never felt unsafe, but it’s okay if you don’t feel comfortable. If you are afraid of heights it may not be the best trail for you, but you can still hike the Juniper Canyon Trail and turn around if you feel uncomfortable.

• Although this is the most beautiful trail in the park, the caves below are one of the popular reasons to visit Pinnacles National Park. You can check out my guide “Pinnacles National Park Caves” to learn everything you need to know about exploring them. They are a must add on to this High Peaks Trail if you have the time!

Before you go to Pinnacles National Park

Be sure to know and follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles on trail. It’s so important to help protect these beautiful places we love and enjoy. Make sure you know these principles before going out on a hike.

• Plan Ahead and Prepare: Always check for current weather updates and educate yourself on trail conditions prior to starting a hike. Look for recent reviews or call the local ranger station for up-to-date trail information like closures, recent wildlife and road conditions.

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to the trail. Avoid going off trail unless it’s to go to the bathroom. You can capture amazing photos from the trail. Do not cut switchbacks. Stepping off trail can cause years of damage with just one simple step. Camp in existing campsites rather than over vegetation.

• Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all trash and food scraps. Never toss food items on the ground. It is harmful to the wildlife. Properly dispose of human waste by digging a cat hole at least 6 inches deep and burying human waste. Bring a wag back to pack it out in fragile alpine terrain. Never leave toilet paper or feminine hygiene products behind. Being a bag and pack them out to dispose of properly. Same goes for dog poop. Properly bury it or pack it back out to dispose of. Do not leave dog poop bags on the side of the trail. They are easy to forget, animals can get into them and other hikers don’t want to see them.

• Leave What You Find: Do not take objects like plants off trail with you. Preserve nature by not marking on rocks or harming any natural objects. Never write or carve into rocks. It is illegal and highly finable. Never pick wildflowers. It is illegal in many states.

• Minimize Campfire Impacts: Check and follow all local wildfire regulations. Use existing fire rings and keep fires small. Put fires out properly by dousing will multiple gallons of water. Coals should be cool to the touch before walking away.

• Respect Wildlife: Never touch, feed or approach wildlife. Give a minimum of 25 yards to all wildlife and a minimum or 100 yard for predators and larger wildlife. Wildlife are not like house pets. They can spook easily or feel threatened. Stay in your car if wildlife is near the road.

• Be Considerate of Others: Respect other hikers by allowing those that hike faster to pass. Uphill hikers have the right of way, so safely step aside for them to pass, unless they offer to stop first. Limit noise and use headphones. Keep groups under 8. Say hello to a fellow hiker!

High Peaks Trail Location

The High Peaks Trail is located at the center of Pinnacles National Park, but this specific trail’s trailhead is located at the west entrance. The parking lot is located at the end of Chalone Creek Road, next to the Chaparral Picnic Area. The Trailhead is located at the south sides of the parking lot, not near the bathrooms and picnic area.

The road to this side of the park is a narrow one way road with a lot of corners and bumps along the way. Drive carefully, be kind to oncoming drivers and take turns when needed. There is a visitor center before reaching the trail head you can stop at for up-to-date park information.

Best Time of Year to Visit Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles is a great park year-round, but the best time to do is fall through spring when the temperatures are cooler than the summer months. In the summer months the temperatures average in the 90’s during the day, making it hot to hike. Despite the high temperatures, it is also the busier time to visit the park. Luckily Pinnacles is the least visited National Park in California so it is still a good park to visit during busy season.

During the late fall to spring months the temperatures are lower. Fall and winter months will have the least amount of visitors. Spring on the other hand is a busier time to visit the park, so plan accordingly. Another bonus to visiting during this time is that there will be seasonal waterfalls in the caves in Pinnacles National Park. You can learn more about the caves specifically in my “Pinnacles National Park Caves” guide. A risk of visiting during these months is that there can be closures due to flooding and inclement weather.

Juniper Canyon to High Peaks Trail Information

High Peaks Trail is the most popular hike in the park but Juniper Canyon is one of the most beautiful trails in the park. Hiking the Juniper Canyon Trail to High Peaks Trail as a loop allows you to experience the best of both trails. Because the other high peaks trail options are anywhere from six to ten miles trails, this is also the best option to see the trail with minimal distance. The best park of the High Peaks Trail is also along this route.

The trail begins as a flat trail with a few seasonal water crossings. Unless there is flooding or just after heavy rain, it should be easy to cross them without getting your feet wet. The trail quickly begins to climb as it switchbacks through the trees. About half way up you start to get stunning views of the pinnacle rock formations towering overhead. The red rock of the Pinnacles is even more striking with the vibrant green trees and vegetation surrounding them.

Roughly one and a half miles into the trail you will reach a junction. You can go either way as this is where the loop section of the trail begins. I chose to continue on the Juniper Canyon Trail instead of taking the Tunnel Trail to continue the uphill climb rather than have a section of downhill elevation. Both directions will require hikers to go both up and down the various stair sections as well, so one direction over the other won’t bring about less stairs.

There is a bathroom at the top of the Juniper Canyon Trail where the High Peaks Trail junction begins. This is a great spot to turn around after enjoying the views or continue onto the stair section of the High Peaks Trail. From here you will encounter stairs, a boardwalk and endless views of Pinnacles National Park Below. At this point you are also high within the Pinnacles and hopefully able to get a closer look at the condors if they are out flying the park.

After the stair sections the trail returns to an easy dirt path. Be sure to pay attention for the next trail junction, The Tunnel Trail or you may accidentally continue on the High Peaks Trail. The Tunnel Trail continues with amazing views of the red towering pinnacles and as its rightfully named, walk through a tunnel. The tunnel is very close to the trail junction with Juniper Canyon Trail and the route back down to the parking lot and trailhead.

What to Bring Hiking on The High Peaks Trail

Below is a list of items I had in my backpack to be prepared and stay safe on trail. Always carry your own gear and never rely on others for you safety on trail.

The 10 Essentials

No matter the length of difficulty of a hike, you should always carry a backpack with the 10 essentials. You can learn more about these item in my “The 10 Essentials” guide. This hike is a more difficult hike and if there were an emergency and you had to get help on trail you will want to have these items on hand. In addition, you can always help a fellow hiker in need.

Water and Electrolytes

It’s so important to stay hydrated hiking, no matter the time of the year. Plan to have one liter of water per 2 hours of hiking. I also bring electrolyte snacks on every hike I go on. I like using my bladder to make sure I’m consuming enough water since it’s easier to drink from. A large water bottle is a great option if you don’t like bladders. I always carry my water filter with me so I can resupply my water as needed, but there is no water source on this trail beside at the very beginning.

Clothing Layers

It’s important to pack plenty of layers, especially if you are hiking outside of summer. The weather can change quickly and if you hike in the fall, it can go from cold to warm in hours. I like to bring a down coat and rain coat with me so I know I’ll be comfortable if the weather turns. I also bring a long sleeve shirt to wear over a tank top. It can be used as a sun shirt for protection or a warm layer. On colder days I like to also bring a fleece layer. This trail was extremely windy at the top the day I hiked it and a rain coat acts as an amazing wind breaker.

Backpack

Every person hiking should always have their own backpack with water and supplies. Never rely on someone else to carry your gear because if there is an emergency everyone should be individually prepared. I like to use one between 25-28L so I have plenty of room for food and layers. I have the Gregory Jade 28 and the REI Trail 25.

Hiking Shoes

Always wear proper shoes when hiking. This means trail runners or hiking boots because they will provide the best traction over rocks and loose terrain. Sandals and tennis shoes are not great footwear for the trail. This trail can be wet and rocks will be slick. Waterproof shoes are best if the trail is wet.

Sun Protection

This hike is extremely exposed after reaching the pass, so bring and use proper sun protection. I always pack sunscreen to reapply throughout the hike as needed. I also wear a hat often and bring a sun shirt to help protect my skin from harmful UV rays.

Camping Gear

If you are planning to camp at Pinnacles National Park you’ll need to make sure you have the right camping equipment. You can use my “Ultimate Car Camping Guide” to learn about my favourite essential and luxury camping items. There is also a free printable checklist to help make gathering your gear easier.

Reminders

• Be sure to keep an eye out for the California Condor throughout your hike. Being able to see one is possibly a once in a lifetime experience and something you don’t want to miss. Never touch, approach or bother these beautiful bird if you get to see one, especially close up.

• If you visit Pinnacles National Park to hike the High Peaks Trail, be sure to also visit the west side of the park and the upper and lower caves. They are a unique experience, especially if you go when there is water in them. The caves can flood and get closed so be sure to check if they are open before you visit on the parks website. Remember that you cannot drive through this park and must drive around to reach both entrances.

• Know your limits on this trail and be okay turning around if you are uncomfortable. No trail is worth pushing yourself too far or putting yourself in a position you don’t feel safe. I was able to carry my baby on this trail and never once felt unsafe, but that doesn’t mean someone else won’t feel unsafe and thats okay. Take your time and do what makes you feel comfortable.

• Be sure to check out my guide “Pinnacles National Park Caves” to learn everything you need to know about exploring the amazing caves. They are a must add on to this High Peaks Trail if you have the time!

I hope this guide helps you with your adventure to Pinnacles National Park and the High Peaks Trail! I absolutely loves this hike and was pleasantly surprised with how beautiful it was so I hope this trail surprises and wows you too. If you have any further questions or want to share your experience after, please leave a comment below!

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