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Pinnacles National Park hiking guide

High Peaks Trail

A 6.8-mile loop with 1,960 ft of climbing in West Pinnacles, rated difficult.

High Peaks Trail, Pinnacles National Park
Photo: daveynin

Key facts

Length
6.8 mi (10.9 km)
Elevation gain
1,960 ft (598 m)
Route type
Loop
Difficulty
Difficult
Area
West Pinnacles
Highest point
2,594 ft
Lowest point
982 ft

About High Peaks Trail

Winding paths lead through stunning rock formations, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. The trail features steep ascents, narrow ridges, and panoramic vistas, including the Salinas Valley and distant Santa Lucia Mountains. It is a habitat for rare wildlife, such as mountain lions and California condors, making it a unique and adventurous hiking experience. Seasonal wildflowers add vibrant color to the landscape, especially from February to May.

Route map

Route map of High Peaks Trail in Pinnacles National Park0.5 miN
Start and finishNorth is up. Drawn from the route in the Parka app.

This route was checked by Parka editors.

Elevation profile

Elevation profile of High Peaks Trail1,0001,5002,0002,5000246Distance (miles)Elevation (ft)High 2,594 ftLow 982 ft
Elevation runs from 982 ft to 2,594 ft over 6.6 miles of mapped route. The profile is sampled from elevation data along the route.

Nearby in West Pinnacles

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