Hearst Castle Hiking Trail
San Simeon Hiking Trail
Hearst Castle Hiking Trail: Hearst Castle is full of enchanting wonder and historic character. From the towering hillside mansion that is visible throughout the San Simeon Valley, Hearst Castle is an inspiring place to visit. Constructed from 1919 to 1947, Hearst Castle reflects William Randolph Heart’s vision of “La Cuesta Encantada” of “The Enchanted Hill.” Several of the architectural elements were inspired by Heart’s childhood trip around the world. The mansion’s lead architect, Julia Morgan, used resourceful engineering to construct the 56 bedroom mansion, pools, zoo, tennis courts, and the other key buildings covering the 127 acre hilltop area.
Hearst Castle became a State Park 1958 and today hosts millions of visitors each year. Although there is a not a traditional hiking trail from the visitor center to the top of the mansion, the #GoHikeIt team envisioned the what the trail may entail in the map below. Additionally, since all tours at Hearst Castle are walking tours and guests are free to explore the outdoor areas after each tour, feel free to hike around the 127 acres as much as you want.
If you’re in the area and want to more hiking trails to explore, check out Cambria’s Moonstone Boardwalk or the Bishop Peak Hiking Trail.
Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
Total Distance: 2-4 miles (round-trip)
Map & Directions
Trail Pictures
Total Distance (miles)
The Hearst Castle features 46 guest rooms.
Architect Julia Morgan worked on the Hearst Castle for 28 years.
Total Estimated Time (hour)
The Neptune Pools holds 345,000 gallons of water.
Hearst had over 100 telephones placed throughout the castle, so he would not miss a business call.
Hearst Castle Photo Gallery
(click on image to rotate through image/s)
When to Go
Year-Round: Hearst Castle is a popular destination and open to hikers and visitors year-round. It’s recommended to make a reservation online before your visit. Tickets generally start around $25/adult.
Dog Friendly
No, dogs are not permitted at the Hearst Castle State Park. Only service dogs.
Hearst Castle Trail Map
Hearst Castle Trail Directions
Address: Hearst Castle, 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452
Why We Liked It
Hearst Castle is magical destination full of nostalgic wonder and historic charm. From the enchanting Neptune Pool to the sprawling mansion room, there is plenty for everyone to explore. Although this is not a tradition hike, we did enjoy hiking around the grounds and exploring William Randolph Hearst’s creation of this hilltop utopia. We will be back!
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