Punta Lobos Coastal Trail

The Punta Lobos coastal trail is the gentlest hike in this part of Baja California Sur, running from the southern edge of Todos Santos out to the rocky headland where the town fishing fleet launches through the surf. The trailhead sits at the end of the Punta Lobos road, a signed dirt turnoff from Highway 19 about three kilometres south of the Todos Santos plaza; the surface is graded and passable in any car, and there is open parking above the beach. Taxis from town charge roughly 150 to 200 pesos each way, and no permit or fee is required. Walkers can also start directly from Playa Todos Santos and follow the sand south.

The route covers around six kilometres round trip with barely 50 metres of gain, taking two to three hours with stops. Roughly half is soft beach sand, which is the most tiring part, and the rest is firm dirt track and low clifftop path through coastal desert scrub. The trail is entirely unshaded and fully exposed to the Pacific wind, which is a blessing in the heat and a nuisance for photography. Footing on the headland turns to broken rock and requires care near the edge, where surf breaks hard against the base.

The fish camp at the point is the main landmark, with pangas hauled up the beach and a small shrine on the cliff above; the sea lion colony hauls out on the rocks beyond, visible from the clifftop without disturbing the animals. Binoculars help considerably, and grey and humpback whales pass offshore between December and April. The arch and lookout on the north side of the headland make a good turn-around for those wanting a shorter walk. There is no potable water, no shelter and no services beyond the informal fish stalls that sometimes operate near the launch, so hikers should bring their own supplies. The beach itself has powerful shore break and dangerous currents and is not suitable for swimming at any time of year.