Mavericks Cliffs Trail

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(4 votes, 3 reviews)

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.5 miles / 4.0 km
Duration: 1 hour or less

Family Friendly • Dog Friendly

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Overview: This hike is an easy walk along the cliffs overlooking Mavericks surf spot, famous for its (often deadly) surf competitions. You will have nice views of the water below from the cliffs with very little elevation change after the first small climb.

If you are up for it, you can continue along the harbor towards the rock pier where you may see seals and other marine life in the water and in small pools between the rocks.

Tips: It can be cold here when the fog is out--dress in layers.

Points of Interest

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Parking

There is a parking lot near the trail head. To find the trailhead cross the street, turn left and walk a little ways along the road. The trail should be on your right.

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Mavericks

AFter the initial climb you will have a nice view of the famous Mavericks surf spot below, and should be able to see a lighthouse on the cliff to your left.

During the Mavericks competition this spot is packed with spectators watching the best surfers in the world battle some of the largest (and most deadly) waves in the world.

The trail continues to the right.

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Junction

The trail splits here, but both trails meet up soon after. Follow one trail on your way out and return along the other trail for a chance of scenery. The trail to the left has better views from the cliffs.

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Junction

Soon after the two trails meet up again they will split. Again, these two trails meet up very soon, so you can pick which ever way you prefer.

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Turn around point

You have reached the end of the trail and are now back in the residential area. Turn back the way you came and follow the trail back.

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Pier

Once you reach the trailhead you can take a short trip down to the rock pier and the water. You will often see boats in the harbor and may even see seals near the pier or some marine life in the small tide pools.

Seal (Princeton, California, United States) Photo

Breaking Waves (Princeton, California, United States) Photo

Boats (Princeton, California, United States) Photo

Rock in the Water (Princeton, California, United States) Photo

Dock (Princeton, California, United States) Photo

Shore and Harbor (Princeton, California, United States) Photo

Pictures in this guide taken by: chris

How does this work?

This is a great location to have a mixed morning or afternoon of hiking / beach. Great to get the kids to exercise and tire them out. We tend to skip the cliff part of the trail and just head towards the beach, where you can make a right and stroll along the beach for another half mile or so. There should be tidepools here too, although I've only been with high tide.
Visited on Dec 11, 2010

by joost on Jan 26, 2011

You can either take a leisurely flat stroll out to the ocean only or include a hike up to the surrounding hills, as we did, which affords some incredible views. To the south, a scenic little harbor is home to a tranquil mini bay featuring fishing boats, a marina, and some ancient shops on the water. To the east, you will see small airplanes practicing take-offs and landings at the tiny airport next to Hwy 1. Watching them coast in and around the foothills that ascend toward Silicon Valley remind you how removed HMB feels from the bustle of the Bay Area. To the north and west are the powerful Pacific Ocean and coastline, which make Mavericks so famous. When you're done, you feel like you've earned a tasty lunch at the nearby HMB Brewing Company - beer tasting flight and fish tacos get my vote!
Visited on Oct 15, 2009

by krbose on Jan 25, 2011

I did this hike over a year ago with the EveryTrail team. It was a nice easy hike with some great views, and I always love the smell of salt in the air when I'm near the ocean.

We saw a hurt seal on the beach afterwards and called the animal protection group nearby, but it allowed us to get some great closeups (we didn't get too close, that's what zoom lenses are for!)

by chris on Dec 31, 2010