Hike: Montana de Oro Badger and Bluff Trial

Emily Bailey
1 day ago
2 min read

Distance: 2.5 miles plus Bluff Trail

Time: 1 hour 30 mins

Ascent: 596ft

Difficulty: Easy - Moderate

A rolling loop above Pismo with sweeping views from the Oceana Dunes to Avila Bay.

Difficulty: Easy - Moderate

Flat or a small amount elevation. Well-marked and signed. The kind of route where you spend more time looking at the view than watching your feet.

Montana de Oro is one of California's many state parks (the younger cousins of the National Parks) and there are a lot of trails to choose from here. Its one of my favourite go to spots for a hike, amaxng views and feeling a little more remote in this busy corner to Califiornia.

The Badger Trail is a circular route that stay in the foothills of the park, with the coastline below and the ridge and Valencia peak behind. The trail starts with an initial ascent that gets the legs working early, then settles into a loop that winds below Valencia Peak through quieter, more sheltered terrain. We had a good section of it to ourselves as most people where on the Bluff Trail or getting a good workour on Valencia Peak.

Most maps will have you start at the main parking area close to the Bluff Trail trailhead and visitor center. This was almost full when we arrived so we carried on along the road to a quiter parking spot. Here you can access either the Badger Trail or the Bluff Trail. We then took the Badger Trail in an anti-clockwise direction.

As the trail winds below Valencia Peak it could be easy to get distracted and keep going up, however these trails are well signposed so make sure you pay attention! Keep going past the and follow the main trail down — this completes the loop at the right level and brings you back without taking in a summit. Valencia Peak is on my list to return to and summit another day.

As we'd completed the trial in good time we worked our way back to the car along the Bluff Trail, This is a great trail for everyone it is flat, wide, and the sea views are spectacular. The Pacific stretches out and at regular intervals, spurs peel off to the edge for viewpoints to observe the power of the ocean and maybe spot some sealife. . There's barely any elevatio so all your attention can go on the view.

The trail is well-maintained and clearly marked from the main car park near the visitor centre.

As you continue along the trail there is then a marked sign for the Badger Trail that takes you on a short ascent back to the car if you are in the second parking area.