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Bear Valley Trail is an extremely popular, multi-use trail providing easy access to the coast.


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Map Key

4.2

Miles

6.8

KM

99%

Runnable

372' 113 m

High

109' 33 m

Low

282' 86 m

Up

271' 83 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

7%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Bikes are allowed on this trail from the Bear Valley visitor center trailhead to the junction with Glen trail.

Runner Notes

Crowded on weekends especially- watch for kids, bikes, horses.

Description

This family friendly trail gets very busy with a wide variety of other users (backpackers, bikers, equestrians, etc.) so if this will spoil your enjoyment, simply start out early in the morning or visit in the winter "off-season."

The Bear Valley Trail starts south from the parking lots as a wide dirt road. It parallels the burbling Bear Valley Creek where a wide variety of ferns happily make their home. Pass through attractive Douglas fir forest on the gentle incline to the trail's high point at Divide Meadow. This pleasant meadow has picnic tables and pit toilets.

Continue south on the Bear Valley Trail as it descends almost imperceptibly next to Coast Creek which flows to the sea. At the flat junction of Glen Trail, Baldy Trail and Bear Valley Trail, a bike rack marks the boundary beyond which further bike travel is not allowed. Proceed straight on Bear Valley Trail, first though lusher forest then sunny open fields and over coastal bluffs towards the ocean. Although the Bear Valley Trail technically ends at its junction with the Coast Trail - North, most users also tack on a visit unforgettable Arch Rock nearby.

Flora & Fauna

Douglas fir, tanoak, bay, alder, hazelnut, ferns, willow, buckeye, coffeeberry, honeysuckle, forget-me-nots. Snakes have been seen here, and deer.

Shared By:

Megan W

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 11 votes

#7490

Overall
  4.3 from 11 votes
5 Star
45%
4 Star
36%
3 Star
18%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#611

in California

#7,490

Overall
5 Views Last Month
2,941 Since Jan 30, 2015
Easy Easy

80%
0%
20%
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Photos

Bear Valley, Point Reyes
Feb 20, 2015 near Lagunit…, CA
Path through the Divide Meadow
Mar 24, 2015 near Lagunit…, CA
Small falls of Coast Creek
Mar 24, 2015 near Lagunit…, CA
Junction of Mt Wittenberg Trail and Bear Valley Trail
Mar 24, 2015 near Lagunit…, CA
Typical canopy on the Bear Valley Trail
Mar 24, 2015 near Lagunit…, CA
On the mellow Bear Valley Trail
Mar 24, 2015 near Lagunit…, CA

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