If you didn’t already know, I’m obsessed with nature… now, if there’s such a thing as a healthy obsession, this is one of them. 😁
When I moved to Big Bear a few years back, I started a hiking club for two reasons. One was that it allowed me to meet people in my community. And the second was as a way to motivate me to spend more time enjoying the great outdoors.
Over the course of four years, I got to explore all the cool trails this mountain town has to offer, and well, I thought this would be a good place to share them with you.
Parking: Stanfield Cutoff parking area (on the west end of the trail)
Trail features: Although I wouldn’t necessarily call this a hike, it’s a great boardwalk for walking your dog, pushing your kids on a stroller or a loved one in a wheelchair, and going for a light jog. It features scenic views of the vegetation, sections of the lake across the road, and the surrounding mountains. If you’re looking for a leisurely stroll and beautiful views, this is it!
Note: There’s no shade on this bridge. It’s also located next to the state highway so there’s noise pollution.
Happy Hills Trail
Length roundtrip
0.4 miles
Elevation gain
Not much
Route type
Out and back; paved
Average time to complete
15 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes
Trailhead location: Big Bear Lake
Coordinates: 34.238160, -116.936234
Parking: Big Bear Lake City Hall parking lot
Trail features: This is a very small paved trail. It has picnic tables and some historical landmarks. If you go a little past the paved area, there are boulders you can climb on and views of abandoned cabins.
Make it more challenging:
The end of the paved trail connects to the Pine Knot and Cabin 89 trail. Read below for more information on each of those.
Big Bear Discovery Center Nature Trail
Length roundtrip
0.5 miles
Elevation gain
75 feet
Route type
Loop; dirt path
Average time to complete
15 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes
Trailhead location: Fawnskin
Coordinates: 34.263523, -116.904766
Parking: Discovery Center parking lot
Trail features: This is a kid-friendly walking experience with beautiful forest views, wildflowers, and wildlife sightings. There are informative plaques along the way which discuss the history of the area and the plants.
Note: The parking lot to the Discovery Center is closed sometimes. If that’s the case when you visit, you can find parking across the street at Meadows Edge.
Mountain Top Trail
Length roundtrip
1 mile
Elevation gain
Not much
Route type
Loop; dirt path
Average time to complete
40 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes, but they must be on a leash
Trailhead location: Big Bear Lake
Coordinates: 34.220558, -116.892532
Parking: Snow Summit parking lot
Trail features: This is a short and beautiful trail that features plaques with pictures and descriptions of the wildlife and wildflowers you may encounter in Big Bear, as well as scenic views of the lake in one direction and San Gorgonio in the opposite direction.
Note: This trail is located at the top of Snow Summit, so you have to ride the chair lift or hike up the Bob Sled trail. The trail is only open during the summer and early fall months because it’s a ski resort during the winter months.
Eye of God from Burns Canyon Road
Length roundtrip
1.8 miles
Elevation gain
255 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt road and trail
Average time to complete
1 hour
Dog friendly?
Yes, but they must be on a leash
Trailhead location: Baldwin Lake
Coordinates: 34.279843, -116.795835
Parking: Park on a turnout off of Burns Canyon Road (US Forest Service Rd 2N02)
Trail features: This is a basic hike that is mostly on a dirt road. It leads to a sacred site of the Serrano Indians. Although trail markers are not too clear, the way there is pretty self-explanatory and easy to find. Either way, I recommend following your trail map or GPS so you know which direction to go towards. On the way there, you may encounter flowers, sage bushes, and some wildlife. In the end, you’ll come across a large quartz rock located in a spot overlooking beautiful Baldwin Lake and the surrounding area.
Note: There are many other ways to get to the Eye of God. Make it longer by hiking in via the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Make it a 4.4-mile hike by starting at the PCT from Highway 18. Park at the large turnout there (coordinates: 34.290524, -116.802744) and hike southeast on the trail. Connect to the 2N02 and then connect to the path leading to the Eye of God.
Moonridge to Bow Canyon
Length roundtrip
2.2 miles
Elevation gain
518 feet
Route type
Loop; dirt path
Average time to complete
1 hour 15 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes
Trailhead location: Moonridge
Coordinates: 34.224546, -116.848999
Parking: At the top of Ridgecrest Dr and on the side streets. Park in the designated areas only- read the street signs! I got ticketed here once because I parked too close to the fire hydrant (to the right of the parking lot), so don’t be like me.
Trail features: This is a beautiful leisurely trail with nice views throughout. Most of the panoramic views will be around the middle point of the hike. Every time I’ve hiked this trail, I bumped into a handful of people but it’s not usually crowded so you’ll definitely enjoy the quietness of nature.
Note: Some areas are rocky and it may be slippery coming down the trail.
Bristlecone Trail
Length roundtrip
3 miles
Elevation gain
124 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt road and a paved portion
Average time to complete
1 hour
Dog friendly?
Yes
Trailhead location: Big Bear Lake
Coordinates: 34.236892, -116.888377
Parking: Snow Summit parking lot
Trail features: This short trail features mountain scenery and wildlife. At one point it passes next to the Pineknot Campground. Near the middle of the hike, the path takes a turn towards the left which takes you to Cedar Ave. To continue the trail in the forest, don’t take that run but instead remain to the right via Bristlecone Spur until you reach Club View Dr. You can make this a partial loop by going on the Fern Trail (instead of Bristlecone Spur) which is also very scenic and adds a little extra walking time.
Bluff Lake Reserve
Length roundtrip
1.9 miles
Elevation gain
50 feet
Route type
Loop; dirt path
Average time to complete
35 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes
Trailhead location: Big Bear Lake
Coordinates: 34.223656, -116.965436
Parking: Parking area where the trail meets the 2N86
Trail features: This is one of my favorite semi-hidden gems in Big Bear and I highly recommend you check it out. It features a luscious meadow, streams, wildflowers, and a calm walk around Bluff Lake. If you have extra time, I recommend continuing on to Lookout Point (mentioned next).
Note: This area is closed seasonally, and accessible around the end of May until November. The reserve opens at 9:00 am and closes at 6:00 pm. There’s a ranger available during those hours to give information about the trees and wildlife and answer any questions.
Lookout Point via Lodgepole Pine
Length roundtrip
4.6 miles
Elevation gain
354 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt path and road
Average time to complete
1 hour 45 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes
Trailhead location: Big Bear Lake
Coordinates: 34.223656, -116.965436
Parking: Parking area where the trail meets the 2N86 (same as Bluff Lake)
Trail features: This trail takes you through Bluff Lake and continues on a dirt road. It features scenic views of the forest, the meadow, the lake, and a 450+ year-old Champion Lodgepole Pine tree that is over 110 feet tall. The trail ends at 7,917 feet elevation with a beautiful view of San Gorgonio.
Note: The road leading to this trail is seasonal, generally open from the end of May through November. This trail passes the Bluff Lake Reserve, which closes at 6:00 pm.
Digging for crystals
Crystal Mountain
Length roundtrip
3 miles
Elevation gain
400 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt path
Average time to complete
1 hour 45 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes, but they must be on a leash
Trailhead location: Baldwin Lake
Coordinates: 34.290524, -116.802744
Parking: Park at the large turnout where Highway 18 meets the PCT.
Trail features: Crystal Mountain features beautiful views of the Mojave desert and a lot of crystal quartz rocks. The best time to go is after it rains because many crystal fragments show up on the surface of the dirt making them easier to find.
Note: Most of the trail is the PCT until you have to turn left towards Crystal Mountain (which is about the last 300 feet of the hike). This portion of the PCT has many rocky areas so watch your footing.
Towne Trail
Length roundtrip
2.8 miles
Elevation gain
334 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt path
Average time to complete
1 hour 30 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes, but they must be on a leash
Trailhead location: Big Bear Lake
Coordinates: 34.236088, -116.892275
Parking: Snow Summit parking lot at the top of Thrush Dr.
Trail features: This trail features beautiful views of the lake and surrounding area. There are some lush parts where the creek runs through, and has plenty of shade.
Note: Part of this trail is shared with mountain bike trails from Snow Summit (summer and fall months), so watch for high-speed downhill bikers, especially during Snow Summit’s open hours. During the winter, this trail gets a lot of shade so be mindful that there may be a lot of snow or ice. Some areas are on an incline, so it’s best to hike with snowshoes or ice grips depending on the winter conditions.
Woodland Interpretive Trail
Length roundtrip
1.6 miles
Elevation gain
232 feet
Route type
Loop; dirt path
Average time to complete
45 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes, but they must be on a leash
Trailhead location: North Shore
Coordinates: 34.263197, -116.888693
Parking: Woodland Trail parking lot
Trail features: This is one of my favorite places to hike in Big Bear. It features 16 markers throughout the trail that match the numbers on a brochure (usually found at the trailhead) but otherwise found here. The markers highlight different features and information about the plants, trees, animals, and forest ecosystem. In different parts of the trail, there are viewpoints of the lake.
Alpine Pedal Path
Length roundtrip
5.2 miles
Elevation gain
298 feet
Route type
Out and back; paved path
Average time to complete
2 hours
Dog friendly?
Yes, but they must be on a leash
Trailhead location: North Shore
Coordinates: 34.261257, -116.885183
Parking: East Public Launch Ramp or on the side of the road between that parking lot and Stanfield Cutoff
Trail features: This paved trail features breathtaking views of the lake and nature. Although it’s mostly flat, some areas have a small incline. There is easy access to the lake, picnic areas, and well-maintained bathrooms throughout the trail.
Note: This path is heavily trafficked by cyclists, joggers, people with dogs, and is wheelchair and stroller-friendly.
Pooh’s Corner and Elsie Caves
Length roundtrip
1.5 miles
Elevation gain
462 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt path
Average time to complete
1 hour
Dog friendly?
Yes
Trailhead location: Big Bear Lake
Coordinates: 34.224758, -116.938535
Parking: Small turnout just past Osito Campground.
Tips on getting there: Go up Mill Creek Road until you reach the unpaved road. This road has a lot of pot holes and blind curves, so drive slowly and with caution. Continue through this road past Osito Campgrounds about 0.2 miles on the 2N17. Park at the small turnout with trees that are marked in blue. At that turnout, face north and walk to the left where you see a marking on a rock that says “100-acre woods”.
Trail features: This beautiful trail features lush trees and scenic views, as well as a lot of painted rocks in reference to Winnie the Pooh.
Note: The trail and caves are not explicitly marked. If you do find the caves, you’ll notice that they’re very tight to get into. Enter at your own risk. The trail is not accessible during the winter months when the forest road is closed to the public.
Maple Hills Trail System
The Maple Hills Trail System is, as the name suggests, a system of community trails that are primarily used by the Bear Valley Unified School District for cross-country runners, bikers, and plant-based learning.
The trails are the following:
Baldwin Loop: 266 feet of elevation gain and about 2 miles long.
Elementary Trail: 39 feet of elevation gain and a little over a mile long.
Dixie Lee Loop: 128 feet of elevation gain and 1 mile long.
School Loop: 300 feet of elevation gain and 3 miles long.
Sawmill Loop: 133 feet of elevation gain and under a mile long.
Trailhead location: Big Bear City
Coordinates: 34.250560, -116.831315
Parking: Next to Baldwin Lane Elementary School
Trail features: This is a system of mellow hikes that are frequented by hikers, dog walkers, runners, and cyclists.
Note: These trails are located next to an elementary and high school. Be sure to stay on the trails and not trespass on the school property.
Moderately difficult hikes
Castle Rock
Length roundtrip
1.2 miles
Elevation gain
557 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt path
Average time to complete
1 hour 30 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes, but must be on a leash
Trailhead location: Boulder Bay
Coordinates: 34.236710, -116.961760
Parking: The trailhead begins just off highway 18. Parking is available in the turnouts nearby.
Trail features: This trail has steep climbs in the beginning but it’s doable so long that you take breaks along the way. It has incredible views from the south side of the lake, beautiful rock formations, rock climbing spots, diverse ecosystems, and wildflowers.
Note: This trail is heavily trafficked, especially during the weekends and holidays. There are parts of the trail that are not well marked, so follow the rock pillars.
Make it more challenging:
Add 3.2 miles to your hike by continuing on to Champion Lodgepole. Once you reach the top of Castle Rock, continue on the trail (towards the left) for an extra mile or so. You will pass a forest road. Follow the trail markers leading to the Champion Lodgepole Loop. The total elevation gain is 859 feet.
Add 7.1 miles to your hike by continuing on to Lookout Point. The total elevation gain for this option is 1,276 feet and takes about 4 hours to complete. The Bluff Lake portion of the hike is open from 9 am to 6 pm.
Bertha Peak
Length roundtrip
2.8 miles
Elevation gain
718 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt path and forest road
Average time to complete
1 hour 30 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes
Trailhead location: North Shore
Coordinates: 34.283651, -116.917227
Parking: On a turnout near where the Pacific Crest Trail meets Polique Canyon Road (Forest Service Road 2N09)
Trail features: If you’re looking for 360-degree views of Big Bear, this is the hike for you! You can hike in via the PCT and continue on to Cougar Crest Trail or Bertha Peak Road until you reach the summit.
Note: Some areas are very rocky and the last stretch of the climb is steep. Hiking poles are recommended.
Make it longer by starting at the base of Cougar Crest Trail (description below).
Metcalf and Cabin 89 Trail
Length roundtrip
3.4 miles
Elevation gain
683 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt path
Average time to complete
1 hour 45 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes, but they must be on a leash
Trailhead location: Big Bear Lake
Coordinates: 34.238160, -116.936234
Parking: Big Bear Lake City Hall parking lot
Trail features: This trail has beautiful views of the forest, wildflowers, and large boulders to climb on.
Note: You can start off at the Happy Hills trailhead and follow the marked signage from there.
Trick or Treat and Plantation
Length roundtrip
3.6 miles
Elevation gain
501 feet
Route type
Loop; dirt path and road
Average time to complete
1 hour 30 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes
Trailhead location: Big Bear Lake
Coordinates: 34.222806, -116.939870
Parking: On a turnout or near yellow post #25
Trail features: This trail features cool rock formations, plants and wildflowers, wildlife, and spectacular views overlooking Angelous Oaks and San Gorgonio.
Note: This trail is not well marked and some areas are slippery. It’s better to do this loop counterclockwise. A GPS is recommended to ensure you’re staying on the trail. It’s also important to note that the trail is not highly trafficked and there is spotty phone reception along the way. The road leading to this trail is open seasonally, typically between the end of May and November.
Make it more challenging!
Instead of making it a loop, you can make a left on the Skyline Trail until you reach Grand View Point, which will be on the right. This option adds about 4 miles, 500 feet of elevation gain, and 2 hours to the original hiking time.
Bob Sled Trail
Length roundtrip
4.1 miles
Elevation gain
1,161 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt path
Average time to complete
2 hours 30 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes
Trailhead location: Big Bear Lake
Coordinates: 34.235104, -116.888853
Parking: Snow Summit parking lot
Trail features: This is a great trail that I like to take advantage of during the times that it’s open. The steep incline is great for exercise and training. On the way back down, you’ll see excellent views of the lake.
Note: This trail is very steep and only open during Snow Summit’s summer and early fall seasons.
Cougar Crest
Length roundtrip
5.6 miles
Elevation gain
895 feet
Route type
Out and back; starts off paved but is mostly a dirt path
Average time to complete
2 hours 45 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes
Trailhead location: North Shore
Coordinates: 34.264031, -116.910806
Parking: Cougar Crest trailhead parking lot
Trail features: This is hands down my favorite trail in Big Bear. It features the most stunning views of Big Bear Lake and there are benches where you can sit to enjoy it. Bring a snack or picnic lunch!
Note: Some areas are very rocky. Hiking poles are recommended.
Make it more challenging!
Add 2 miles and 460 feet of elevation gain by continuing on to Bertha Peak. This will add about 45 minutes to your hiking time.
Add 6.6 miles by making it up to the Pacific Crest Trail and then heading left (on the PCT) towards Delmar Mountain. The final ascent to Delamar Summit is a little confusing because it’s not well marked, so bring a GPS or map to find your way. The total hiking time is around 6 hours.
Add 12.4 miles by making it up to the PCT and heading left until you reach Holcomb Creek.
Grey’s Peak
Length roundtrip
7 miles
Elevation gain
1,174 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt path
Average time to complete
3 hours 30 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes
Trailhead location: Fawnskin
Coordinates: 34.263086, -116.948037
Parking: Grey’s Peak parking lot
Trail features: This is a beautiful moderately-challenging trail with amazing views of the distant mountain ranges, boulder and rock formations, trees, and wildflowers.
Note: The trail is closed during the eagle nesting season. Trespassing, while it’s closed, can result in a serious fine and possible jail time, so don’t do it.
Sugarlump Bear Peak Trail
Length roundtrip
6.6 miles
Elevation gain
1,561 feet
Route type
Out and back; forest service road
Average time to complete
3 hours 30 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes, but they must be on a leash
Trailhead location: Moonridge
Coordinates: 34.226841, -116.868366
Parking: Where Club View Dr meets the 2N10
Trail features: Even though this is not much of a trail, but rather a forest service road, it features spectacular views of Big Bear Lake and San Gorgonio and is definitely worth checking out.
Note: Since it’s a forest road, expect to share the road with off-road vehicles, dual sport motorcycles, and mountain bikers.
Pine Knot Trail to Grand View Point
Length roundtrip
6.9 miles
Elevation gain
1,158 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt path
Average time to complete
3 hours 30 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes
Trailhead location: Big Bear Lake
Coordinates: 34.235467, -116.927662
Parking: Aspen Glen Picnic Area parking lot and some street parking (read the street signs)
Trail features: This is another one of my favorite Big Bear trails. It’s a relaxing place for a hike that features stunning views throughout, including a meadow, many shady spots, and incredible viewpoints of both the lake and San Gorgonio.
Note: Some of the trail is a single-track mountain bike trail so keep an eye and ear open for downhill riders.
Make this a 9-mile loop by returning on the Skyline Trail (on the way back from Grand View Point). Once you reach Yellow Post #25, take a right onto Mill Creek Road (this is a dirt road) until you reach the Cabin 89 Connector which will loop back around to the beginning of Pine Knot Trail.
Skyline to Snow Summit
Length roundtrip
7.7 miles
Elevation gain
1,108 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt path
Average time to complete
3 hours 30 minutes
Dog friendly?
Yes
Trailhead location: Moonridge
Coordinates: 34.226841, -116.868366
Parking: Where Club View Dr meets the 2N10
Trail features: This trail features stunning scenic views of Big Bear Lake, San Gorgonio, Barton Flats, the Skyline Tetons, and campgrounds seen off the south slope.
Note: This trail is used by mountain bikers as well, so keep your eyes and ears open for that. Some areas are not well marked.
Difficult hikes in Big Bear
Hanna Flat Campground Trail
Length roundtrip
9.1 miles
Elevation gain
1,105 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt trail and fire road
Average time to complete
4 hours
Dog friendly?
No
Trailhead location: Fawnskin
Coordinates: 34.263086, -116.948037
Parking: Grey’s Peak parking lot
Trail features: This trail features insanely gorgeous views of the mountain valleys, wildlife, wildflowers, and unique rock formations. It’s a great trail for hiking, running, and mountain biking.
Note: There are few hikers and little shade on this trail. The trail is closed during the eagle nesting season.
Butler Peak Fire Lookout
Length roundtrip
10 miles
Elevation gain
1,532 feet
Route type
Out and back; fire road
Average time to complete
5 hours
Dog friendly?
Yes
Trailhead location: Fawnskin
Coordinates: 34.279798, -116.961712
Parking: At the turnout where Rim of the World Dr (Forest Service road 3N14) meets Forest Route 2N13.
Trail features: This is a fire road, not an actual trail, but it leads to one of the most surreal viewpoints in the Big Bear Valley. On a clear day, you can see as far out as the ocean!
Note: This road is frequented by dual sport motorcycles and mountain bikers. Since the path is wide, it shouldn’t be an issue, but be mindful that you may be sharing the road with non-hikers.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Length roundtrip
11.6 miles
Elevation gain
3,228 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt road and trail
Average time to complete
7 hours
Dog friendly?
Yes, but they must be on a leash
Trailhead location: Sugarloaf
Coordinates: 34.231291, -116.806766
Parking: At the turnout near the trailhead sign off the 2N93.
Trail features: This hike features great scenery all the way through, including views of San Gorgonio.
Note: This trail is not highly trafficked. It’s rocky and slippery in some parts. Trekking poles are recommended.
Siberia Creek Trail
Length roundtrip
19 miles
Elevation gain
5,358 feet
Route type
Out and back; dirt road and trail
Average time to complete
11 hours
Dog friendly?
Yes, but they must be on a leash
Trailhead location: Big Bear Lake
Coordinates: 34.223656, -116.965436
Parking: Parking area where the trail meets the 2N86
Trail features: This trail is great for hiking, backpacking, and camping. It features scenic views of the mountains and forest, creeks, wildflowers, and wild animal sightings.
Note: The trail may be in rough shape and overgrown in some parts, but is still trackable. There are very few hikers and not a lot of shade, so plan accordingly. This trail is open seasonally, generally from the end of May through November.
Pacific Crest Trail
Length roundtrip
39 miles
Elevation gain
Varies
Route type
Out and back; dirt road and trail
Average time to complete
Varies
Dog friendly?
Yes, but they must be on a leash
Trailhead: The Pacific Crest Trail stretches 2,650 miles between Canada and Mexico. It traverses Big Bear in multiple places. You can go as short or as long as you want on this trail. Two of the most convenient places to start in Big Bear are in Onyx Summit and Baldwin Lake.
Coordinates: 34.191869, -116.716992 (Onyx Summit) and 34.290546, -116.802804 (Baldwin Lake)
Trail features: During the Big Bear section of the PCT, you will pass through a historic mining region, the Gold Mountain Mine, Holcomb Valley, and the sacred site of the Serrano Indians (Eye of God). You will see a variety of wildflowers, wild animals, and incredible views of Big Bear, the Mojave Desert, San Gorgonio, and much more! This trail is ideal for backcountry camping!
A few tips for hiking in Big Bear
Dogs are allowed on most trails but be on the lookout for signs at some of the trailheads that say otherwise.
Adventure passes are required for parking at most trailheads. You can purchase a day or annual pass at the local liquor stores and Big 5 in Big Bear Lake.
Always carry plenty of water and nutritious snacks when hiking.
Being that Big Bear is located at 6,752 feet in elevation, the sun is much stronger than it is at lower elevations. Be sure to use sun protection as needed. For the curious, I’ve posted a picture below of the worst sunburn I ever got, which happened during a spring hike in Big Bear.
Always let someone know where you’re hiking and an approximate return time.
Take a GPS system with you, whether it be a handheld Garmin or an app on your phone. And have a backup battery and/or solar charger.
Stay within the trails! Going off trail is the best way to get lost.
If you do become lost, retrace your footsteps and return to the last place where you knew your bearings or that you were on the path.
Here is proof that the sun at nearly 7,000 feet of elevation is NO JOKE.
This happened on a sunny April day while I was hiking Cougar Crest. I stopped at the benches near the top to enjoy a late lunch picnic. My biggest mistake was obviously not wearing sunscreen (smh).
Apart from the sun hitting me directly in the face, I also got hit by the sun’s reflection from the snow on the ground.
I’m really embarrassed publishing this photo but I’m doing it to warn others that even a seasoned local is not immune. Please don’t make the mistake I did. My face was swollen for over a week.
I hope you enjoy the beautiful mountain trails Big Bear has to offer!! Which trail is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below.
If you enjoyed reading this article, please share it!
San Diego is often referred to as “America’s Finest City,” and for good reason! The city boasts miles of stunning beaches, year-round sunshine, and many… Continue reading25+ Hidden Gems in San Diego, CA