AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Big Ben Tree–Big Ben Trail, 4 sights

6.2 mi · ▲ 1,457 ft · 2 hr 48 min

Big Ben Tree–Big Ben Trail, 4 sights is a 6.2-mile out-and-back in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near Bonny Doon, CA. The route reaches Big Ben Tree. It climbs 1,457 ft, with sections as steep as 23% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 52/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi699 – 2,005 ft · steepest grade: 23%6.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Big Ben Trail 37.07015, -122.12439
Nearest town Bonny Doon, CA
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Directions

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Big Ben Tree–Big Ben Trail, 4 sights

6.2 mi · ▲ 1,457 ft · 2 hr 48 min

Elevation 699–2,004 ft

Out & Back · Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Trailhead: Big Ben Trail · 37.07015, -122.12439

Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 84°F / low 60° · precip 0% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:15 PM

No dogs on part of this route · Transit-accessible: Empire Grade & Sunlit Lane stop 227 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Big Ben Trail, heading NE.
  2. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Lost Empire Trail, heading E.
  3. 0.3 miSharp left onto Big Ben Trail, heading NE.
  4. 50 ftPass Big Ben Tree.
  5. 1.3 miSharp right onto Fall Creek Trail, heading SE.
  6. 350 ftBear right onto Big Ben Trail, heading E.
  7. 50 ftBear left onto Fall Creek Trail, heading E.
  8. 0.8 miTurn left, heading SE.
  9. 0.6 miContinue straight onto Cape Horn Trail, heading SE.
  10. 0.2 miTurn right onto Lost Empire Trail, heading S.
  11. 2.6 miContinue straight onto Big Ben Trail, heading W.
  12. 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/big-ben-tree-big-ben-trail-out-back-5-sights-10-km

Trail surface

76% dirt24% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 84°F60°
Precip0%Wind6 mphUV8Humidity23%
Hourly temperature
85°60°
Sunrise 6:16 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:15 PM
Tue 79°57°
Wed 79°50°
Thu 87°50°
Fri 96°56°
Sat 98°56°
Sun 85°51°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 7:55 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 8:15 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 8:44 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • No dogs on part of this route
  • Transit-accessible: Empire Grade & Sunlit Lane stop 227 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Big Ben Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Bonny Doon, California