North Coast Ridge Trail
North Coast Ridge Trail is a long-distance hiking route through Ventana Wilderness in Monterey County. It runs as an officially designated trail (No. 3E10) and connects North Coast Ridge Road to Central Coast Ridge Road, making it practical as a point-to-point ridge traverse rather than a local loop.
Typical length is about 11.14 miles one-way, with difficulty described as moderate to strenuous depending on section and elevation change. Expect a rugged ridgeline route that drops into and out of redwood canyons and chaparral while following the high coastal ridge corridor.
For the long traverse, plan around access that’s gated to motor vehicles: North Coast Ridge Road is closed to vehicles and bicycles, so you access the route on foot. The north approach commonly starts at a Coast Ridge Road gate just off Highway 1 near Big Sur, and a south approach is via Cone Peak Road / Central Coast Ridge Road.
The trail alternates between clearer walking and brush-heavy stretches. Community reports emphasize long push-through sections where faint tread, deadfall, and overgrowth can slow travel—so bring full-length clothes and be ready for hands-and-knees crawl pockets in some years/sections.
Maintenance and navigation are active variables on this route. Recent hiker reports describe ongoing work to reset downed logs/tread and improve junction signage (including the Gamboa Trail post reset and Carrizo Trail sign reinstallation), but also warn that the corridor can trend back toward more difficult travel without periodic brushing.
Water planning matters on this ridge line. Multiple reports and route guides describe only intermittent water opportunities on or near the ridge, with springs and creeks that may be unreliable in dry summers/fall—so treat any spring as contingent and carry enough to bridge between realistic sources.
More information: Ventana Wilderness Forums - North Coast Ridge Trail, North Coast Ridge to Cone Peak: Epic Ventana Wilderness ..., Condor Trail Part 6: Cone Peak Road to Big Sur Station