King Range National Conservation Area - Trails

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CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT TRAIL CONDITIONS

ALL TRAIL DISTANCES/ELEVATION CHANGES LISTED BELOW ARE FOR ONE-WAY TRAVEL BETWEEN THE POINTS LISTED.

Lost Coast Trail-North (Mattole - Black Sands Beach)

24.6 miles, mostly level

King Range hike offers one of the few coastal wilderness hiking experiences in the United States. Hikers can view sea lions, tidepools and spectacular spring wildflowers. Solitude can be difficult to find on holiday weekends, so try to plan your hike during weekdays, or the less crowded spring/fall months.  Allow at least three days for the entire hike.

Much of the trail is beach hiking with several stretches of 1-2 ft. rounded boulders.  Wear sturdy hiking boots. Water sources are plentiful along the beach.

Stream crossings may be impassable during/after heavy winter rains (no bridges).  The area near Punta Gorda; from Sea Lion Gulch to Randall Creek ; and from Miller Flat to Gitchell Creek may be impassable during high tide.  Carry a tide table, and when in doubt, hike these stretches during an outgoing tide to avoid being trapped.

Always be aware of the ocean.  Large sets of waves can occur at any time, sweeping unsuspecting hikers into the ocean.  Large waves and/or high winds will amplify the effects of tides, causing areas normally passable at a particular tide to become impassable.

Several privately owned cabins exist along the Lost Coast and are not for public use;  BLM does not maintain any facilities along this trail - please respect private property rights.

Lost Coast Trail-South (Hidden Valley - Needle Rock in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park ) 

9 miles, 875 ft. climb 2,600 ft. descent

Mountain meadows, old-growth forests and ridgetop vistas through coastal chaparral offer hikers an interesting contrast to the northern leg of the Lost Coast Trail.  Hikers can also continue for 19 more miles through redwood groves and fern clad glens of Sinkyone Wilderness State Park.   NOTE: The state park has different regulations regarding trail use and camping (e.g. no pets or mountain bikes; camping is only allowed in designated areas). 

Chemise Mountain Trail (Wailaki or Nadelos Campground - Chemise Mountain )

1.5 miles, 800 ft. climb

One of the easier hikes in the King Range rewards hikers with vistas of the coastline and inland mountain ranges from the 2,598 ft. summit of Chemise Mountain .

Lightning Trail (Lightning Trailhead - King Peak)

3 miles, 1900 ft. climb

This shortest trail to King Peak is a steady, but gradual climb through old-growth forests of the Honeydew Creek basin.  The view from the top is incredible, with the Pacific Ocean almost a stones throw to the west and endless rows of forested mountains stretching to the east.  Maple Camp has year-round water.

Buck Creek Trail ( Saddle Mountain Trailhead - Beach)

4.5 miles, 400 ft. climb 3,300 ft. descent

Infamous as having one of the steepest grades of any Northern California trail, Buck Creek follows an old logging road through forests to the coast.  Where Buck Creek Trail intersects with the beach is 5.2 miles back to Shelter Cove.  Water is available only at the mouth of Buck Creek.

King Crest Trail South ( Saddle Mountain Trailhead - King Peak )

5.6 miles, 1,200 ft. climb

A gradual climb through a mixture of chaparral and forest, topping off with the spectacular King Peak vista.

King Crest Trail North ( North Slide Peak Trailhead - King Peak )

5.8 miles, 800 ft. climb

Much of the trail corridor burned in 2003.  This has added endless vistas of the Lost Coast , Mattole Valley and inland mountain ranges.  As a trade-off, fallen snags may slow your pace.  A 3.1 mile loop to Miller Camp involves an 800 ft. descent/climb as well as a refreshing spring.  This spring may be dry during summer months.

Rattlesnake Ridge Trail (King Crest Trail - Beach)

5.7 miles, 3600 ft. descent

Most of this trail burned in 2003.  Vegetation on this ridge regrows rapidly so hikers may have to bushwhack.  This trail heads off of the King Crest Trail 2.8 miles south of the North Slide Peak Trailhead.  It is recommended only for adventurous backpackers who don't mind some bushwhacking and stream crossings.  Follows brushy Rattlesnake Ridge before descending through old-growth forest to Big Flat Creek.  Ferns and mosses line the boulder choked channel of Big Flat Creek, which you must cross twice on the way to the coast.  You will find a year-round spring at Bear Hollow Camp after leaving King Crest Trail.

Kinsey Ridge Trail (Kinsey Ridge Trailhead - Beach)

4 miles, 2300 ft. descent

Follows a dirt road to the heart of the Lost Coast shoreline, offering glimpses of the coastline and Big Flat as it descends through breaks in the forest.  No water.

Spanish Ridge Trail (Spanish Ridge Trailhead - Beach)

4.7 miles, 300 ft. climb, 2400 ft. descent

Steep descent to the beach along a grassy ridgeline.  Excellent views, especially to the south.  No water.

Cooskie Creek Trail (Punta Gorda - Spanish Ridge Trailhead)

12.8 miles, 2400 ft. climb, 2300 ft. descent,  2300 ft. climb

This trail currently has a break where it crosses private property about 1 mile north of the Spanish Ridge Trailhead. The 11 miles south of the private land climbs up and down grassy ridges with clumps of windblown Douglas-fir, offering great views of the coast.

Hiking Loops

Saddle Mountain, Rattlesnake Ridge, Buck Creek Loop  (Saddle Mountain Trailhead)

20.9 miles, 1200 ft. climb, 4,000 ft. descent, 3,300 ft. climb

This 2-3 day moderate to difficult hiking loop is a great alternative to the popular Lost Coast Trail, as it climbs to King Peak (4,088 ft.) and descends to the beach.  Park at the Saddle Mountain Trailhead and a gradual climb through a mixture of chaparral and forest, topping off with the spectacular King Peak vista.  Then follow the King Crest Trail to Rattlesnake Ridge Trail.  It is recommended only for adventurous backpackers who don't mind some bushwhacking and stream crossings.  Follows brushy Rattlesnake Ridge before descending through old-growth forest to Big Flat Creek.  Ferns and mosses line the boulder choked channel of Big Flat Creek, which you must cross multiple times on the way to the coast (bring extra shoes).  You will find a year-round spring at Bear Hollow Camp after leaving King Crest Trail (fill up water here).  The stretch of the Lost Coast Trail between Big Flat and Buck Creek may be impassable during high tide; take a tide chart with you.  Fill up water again at Buck Creek before heading up the Buck Creek Trail to the Saddle Mountain Trailhead.  NOTE: The lower portion of Rattlesnake Ridge Trail is often covered by landslides during the winter storm season.  It is recommended to go up Buck Creek and down Rattlesnake Ridge.

Hidden Valley-Chinquapin-Lost Coast Trail Loop (Hidden Valley Trailhead)

8.3 miles, 900 ft. climb, 600 ft. descent

From the Hidden Valley Trailhead, the route (Lost Coast Trail-South) crosses grassy open meadows before climbing through a Douglas-fir forest to the top of Chemise Mountain (2,598 ft.).  The Chinquapin Loop Trail drops off the west side of Chemise Mountain before rejoining the Lost Coast Trail.  It provides beautiful ocean vistas while also accessing Nick's Camp, a backcountry campsite with year-round water nearby. 

Bureau of Land Management King Range National Conservation Area Project Office P.O. Drawer 189 Whitethorn, CA  95589 Phone: (707) 986-5400 Fax: (707) 986-5401 Contact us by Email

Bureau of Land Management  Arcata Field Office 1695 Heindon Road Arcata, California 95521-4573 Telephone: 707-825-2300        Fax: 707-825-2301