Big Bear
An alpine lake town where the pines outnumber the people, just barely.
- Distance
- ~5 miles
- Time
- 3 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bring
- Layers, water
- Stops
- 12
- Walk total
- 40 mi · ~859 min
Tip: open this page once with data, then it stays cached on your device. Use the printed copy if your signal drops on the route.
- 01
The Village Bear
"Begin where the wooden bear watches the alley. Read the year carved into his paw."
34.24390, -116.91140Pin on map - 3.1 mi · ~66 min · head W from stop 102
The Old Dam
"Granite blocks fitted without mortar. Find the cornerstone with the date."
34.24060, -116.96500Pin on map - 4.1 mi · ~89 min · head ENE from stop 203
Stanfield Cutoff
"A causeway across the lake. Stop at the middle. Look both ways — the views differ by a hundred years."
34.25280, -116.89390Pin on map - 1.6 mi · ~35 min · head WNW from stop 304
The Solar Observatory
"A white tower on a pier. It only looks at one star."
34.25830, -116.92140Pin on map - 1.1 mi · ~24 min · head SE from stop 405
Cinnamon Bear Path
"A path between two cabins. Smell first, then look."
34.24550, -116.90980Pin on map - 4.1 mi · ~88 min · head W from stop 506
Boulder Bay
"Granite the size of houses. Find the boulder shaped like a sleeping turtle."
34.23670, -116.98110Pin on map - 8.0 mi · ~171 min · head ENE from stop 607
The Old Mine
"Up the ridge. A pile of tailings, a sealed shaft. Walk the contour, don't enter."
34.28140, -116.85280Pin on map - 4.5 mi · ~97 min · head SW from stop 708
Pine Knot Trailhead
"Where the path begins. Find the wooden marker with the elevation."
34.23470, -116.90780Pin on map - 1.4 mi · ~30 min · head WNW from stop 809
The Alpine Slide
"Concrete tracks that wind down the mountain. Don't ride — just count the turns."
34.24470, -116.92890Pin on map - 5.6 mi · ~120 min · head E from stop 910
The Discovery Trail
"A short interpretive loop. Find the sign that names the tree with the longest cones."
34.24560, -116.83110Pin on map - 4.1 mi · ~89 min · head WNW from stop 1011
The Bald Eagle Lookout
"A bench facing west across the water. Bring binoculars if you have them."
34.26140, -116.90110Pin on map - 2.4 mi · ~51 min · head SW from stop 1112
Last Light at the Marina
"End where the boats sleep. Stay for the alpenglow on the north shore."
34.24220, -116.93580Pin on map