The Best Hikes In Big Bear For Almost Any Season

Southern California is home to some of the most gorgeous hikes on the planet. One tranquil destination in particular is easily accessible to almost any Socal visitor or local — Big Bear. Ask any Socal native and you’ll find Big Bear holds a special place in their hearts. Famed for it’s generous offering of snow-covered slopes for winter travelers, its prime fishing spot for catching trout at Big Bear Lake, and of course, its abundance of hikes trails to explore.

Big Bear has it all!

Best of all, the hikes in Big Bear can be done almost any time of year. Just add on an extra layer or strip those layer off depending on the season your visiting this Socal hot spot.

Each of the hiking trails in Big Bear offer unique views of the city, lush trekking into the wilder bluffs, or excellent strolls along the shores of the famous Big Bear Lake. In addition, you’ll witness expansive views of the San Bernardino National Forest, lavish meadows brimming with a golden colors during the fall, delightful peaks showcasing the woods, and charming wooden walks (both across bridges and into the forest).

Keep on reading to find some of the best hikes in Big Bear.

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Feel free to jump ahead!

Where is Big Bear?

Big Bear is located 97 miles from Los Angeles, California. It’s found in the San Bernardino National Forest and is easy to reach from almost any city located in Southern California. If you’re planning on taking a Socal roadtrip, here are some of the best wellness cities in Socal and the top unique beaches to recharge at.

To reach the city, it’s about a two hour drive. However, that drive can easily increase (or decrease) depending on the time of year you’re visiting. Winter, summer and holidays are peak season for tourists, so if you’re visiting during these times… expect traffic and possible delays.

I highly recommend leaving early than anticipated or later then planned to avoid the heavy traffic.

Also, keep in mind if you’re planning to hike during winter, you are required to carry chains in your car. This applies to every car, regardless if you have snow tires or 4 wheel-drive (however I doubt you’ll need them with this type of car/wheels).

Additionally, you really only need chains if a snow storm happens or if a Highway Patrol Officer/Ranger pulls you over. If they do, proof of chains if required. If you don’t have them, the officer may not let you continue up to the route to Big Bear.

The solution … buy the chains, understand how they work (just in case) and save the receipt.

You can return those suckers later.

How do you get to Big Bear?

There are multiple ways to get to Big Bear depending on the direction you’re arriving from. The three main highways are:

• Highway 330
• Highway 38
• Highway 18

The easiest and most direct route to take is via Highway 330. During peak season this highway is traffic heavily. In this case, Highway 38 wins as an escape route to avoid the traffic and get home sooner. It’s also the least popular highway.

Highway 18 is also popular to take, especially during the winter months. Expect traffic during peak seasons on this route too.

Do you need passes for hikes in Big Bear?

The answer is both yes and no. Here’s why…

While you don’t need to pay to hike in Big Bear, you will have to pay for parking at the designated lots at trailheads. The only free lot is at the Big Bear Discovery Center. Feel free to park here and try to start as many hikes as you can from this point, to save those dolla dolla bills.

Otherwise, you’ll required to have an Adventure Pass. If your hiking anywhere in the San Bernardino National Forest, you will need this pass. The Big Bear Discovery Center sells daily passes and annual passes.

Alternatively, if you’re a national park goer who already has the so called America the Beautiful Pass from a trip to Yosemite National Park or Joshua Tree — you can use this too. Place one of the passes on the dashboard, grab your daypack, then enjoy your hike!

Passes to buy for hikes in Big Bear

• Daily Adventure Pass: $5 (good for that day only)
• Annual Adventure Pass: $30
• America The Beautiful Pass: $80 (annual pass into all National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands)

Must do Hikes in Big Bear

Keep reading on to find some of the best hikes to do in Big Bear. Some of the hikes are extremely easy and are a quick nature jaunt lasting maximum of 20 minutes. Whereas other trails are strenuous with steep inclinations for those nature explorers looking for inspiration.

Whether it’s your first time visiting Big Bear or your millionth time, I highly recommend starting your hiking trip with a visit to the nature center, The Big Bear Discovery Center. In fact, all my trips to almost any city, national park, or natural preserve in the U.S or abroad always begin there.

Inside you’ll find local experts sharing authentic hiking tips for the area, free guided nature walks with a local or a free map to help you navigate the area better.

Regardless, a trip to the nature center never disappoints.

Towne Trail

Trail highlights: fall foilage, junction with other hikes, views of the shore and lake

The Towne Trail is one of the best hikes in Big Bear, especially during the fall season in California. Last autumn we spent four days in Big Bear and this hike was stunning from the outset. The outcroppings were brimming with vivid colors and fall foilage. While the woodland trees were hues of golden amber, various shades of evergreen with the manzanita trees adding a subtle pop of red.

Explore this beginner-friendly loop almost any time of year (always double check for any closures). It starts near the base area of Snow Summit, then winds around the woods giving gorgeous outlooks of the mountainside and Big Bear Lake. You can even see the shore on this hike!

It’s excellent for bikers and has a fork near the 2N08. Here you can decide to complete the loop or continue on to trek around other hiking trails in Big Bear.

Related post: Unique Quotes About Trekking

Alpine Pedal Path

Trail highlights: extremely flat, great for biking, wheelchair accessible, and seasonal wildflowers

Big Bear sits at an altitude of about 6,752′. If it’s your first day in Big Bear or your trying to get your body acclimated to the elevation, Alpine Pedal Path is one of the best hiking trails in Big Bear to start with. The trail is extremely flat, wheelchair accessible and is a popular path for bikers. It’s also family-friendly because the trails offer a smooth ride for strollers.

I walked part of this hike after recovering from an Achilles rupture, and was pleasantly surprised by how flat it was. The flatness and sturdiness of the trail offered great support, as I ended up walking much further then I anticipated.

Beginning at Stanfield Cutoff, take a leisurely walk to witness the magnificent pines trees and sun-kissed wildflowers. Then, end the hike at the Solar Observatory (a romantic spot for stargazing into the moonlight sky).

Woodland Interpretive Trail

Trail highlights: interactive trail, family-friendly, great for biking and horseback riding

Grab your Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Pass before you set foot on the Woodland Interpretive Trail. As the name suggest this trail is all about interpreting the natural beauty around you while admiring the vastness of habitats found in Big Bear. It’s an interactive trail covering everything from the rock formations to various types of trees seen on the trail and the wildlife roaming around (hello cute little chipmunks).

Make sure to grab your interactive guide at the trailhead!

The loop is heavily trafficked and receives most of its visitors during spring, summer or fall. Also, this trail is excellent for biking, horseback riding, jogging, walking leashed dog and it’s family friendly.

Related post: 100+ Beautiful Nature Quotes

Castle Rock Trail

Trail highlights: a seasonal waterfall and creek and panoramic views

Castle Rock Trail sits on the fence between intermediate to advanced for hiking difficulty. Engulfed by the tall forest, this trail provides the deep sentiment that you are one with the wilderness. The trail itself begins will a steep incline that will test any hiker. Gradually the incline slowly levels outs to showcase a stunning birds-eye view of Big Bear Lake.

Besides the gorgeous views, the trail also offers a seasonal waterfall, creek and giant boulders. It’s accessible year round and is extremely popular. It’s a great place to watch the rosy sun wave goodnight!

The Skyline Trail

Trail highlights: views of Big Bear Lake and Mt. San Gorgonio

For those craving a longer intermediate hike, consider hiking the Skyline Trail. Tucked beneath the mountain ridge, this trail is almost lateral to one of the main roads in Big Bear, 2N10.

Along the trail is breathtaking angles of all the iconic spots in town — Big Bear Lake and Mt. San Gorgonio. Get there early, pack an easy plant based meal, and aim to stay until sunset. Those iconic spots will look much sweeter with a kiss of orange, red and purple.

Gold Fever Trail

Trail highlights: not really hiking, scenic drive, and abandoned mines

Not a fan of hiking, but enjoy the outdoors? Gold Fever Trail offers the best of both worlds as you pretty much drive most of the trail and get out of the car when you reach the various stopping points. The drive is beautiful with expansive scopes of the mountain ridge and giant pine trees.

After my Achilles injury, this trail was one of the first “hikes” went on in Big Bear. Feel free to jump out of your car to tour the stops and witness the eerie grave sites and abandoned mines. Or if you prefer, skip them and enjoy the scenic mountain drive.

Roll down your window for added theatrics (aka that fresh mountain air filled with the smell of pine).

Cougar Crest Trail

Trail highlights: ends at the Pacific Crest Trail, scenic views, and beautiful wilderness

Starting near the Big Bear Discovery Center (0.6 miles away) is the attractive Cougar Crest Trail. It’s mostly known for two alluring attractions. First off, the trail offers incredible outlooks. Marching along you’ll notice various forms of biodiversity such as the often naked manzanita tree or deep green pine trees with a wholesome fresh odor.

Secondly, the trail connects with the acclaimed Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) — a hiking trail spanning from a city near the Mexican border to a city near the Canadian border in British-Columbia.

According to Outside Magazine it’s over 2,650 miles long and has over 30 sections, with 18 of those sections in California. The Cougar Crest Trail happens to end right along this glorious and often transformative travel trail.

Stanfield Marsh Boardwalk

Trail highlights: easy nature walk, cute boardwalk, bird watching, and info signs about the wildlife

Although it’s not a hike, this is a beautiful nature walk where you can observe the numerous avain species that live in Big Bear. Leisurely stroll along the Stainfield Marsh Boardwalk, bask in the fresh air, and listen to the birds gawk and caw.

Here you’ll find informative signs packed with data and knowledge about the Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve.

Pine Knot Trail

Trail highlights: great half day hike, picnic tables, and views of Mt. San Gorgonio

Looking for an excellent half day hike? Pine Knot Trail is one of the best trails for both hiking and picnicking. It starts at a picnic area, Aspen Glen Picnic Area, so pack some tasty plant based lunches, or fill up your backpack with some healthy hiking snacks.

Pause here and take in the scenery before your climb.

Along the hike you’ll experience the beauty of the woodland hills seeing various types of trees such as giant oak, wildlife species (i.e. birds, chipmunks, etc.) and some brush. Add an extra 0.25 miles to your hike via Grandpoint Trail to see impressive sights of Mt. San Gorgonio.

Cabin 89

Trail highlights: mountain biking, steep climbs, rocky areas, and views of Mt. San Gorgonio

Similar to Pine Knot Trail, Cabin 89 Trail starts at the Aspen Glen Picnic Area which located on Mill Creek Road. Here you’ll have access to select either hike. While Pine Knot Trail offers stunning views of the mountainside, particular Mt. San Gorgonio, Cabin 89 is hot spot for mountain bikers.

The hike itself presents intense steep climbs and deep descends. Overall, it’s a pretty uphill hike which is why mountain bikers flock here for a natural jungle gym. You’ll find giant trees, boulders, and rocky areas on the path.

Champion Lodgepole Trail

Trail highlights: views of the bluffs and lake, seasonal wildflowers, and ferns

I’m a huge fan of bluffs, so I wanted to add this must-do-hike to the list because the Champion Lodge Trail offers insanely expansive views of the bluffs in Big Bear.

Along the trail are vivid wildflowers and damselflies that bloom beautifully during the spring. You’ll also witness verdant ferns, lush greenery and evergreen trees. Step into the Bluff Meadows and experience the calming waters of the lake as you ease your way along this path.

Another way to access this trail is via Castle Rock Trail. Access is at the end of this trail.

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