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The Low Down
There are several beautiful hikes that you can undertake from the Bear Valley visitor center at the Point Reyes National Seashore, in California. All of the hikes start out heading south on Bear Valley Trail, and you can choose the route to follow depending on how much time and energy you have.
On any of the routes along the Bear Valley Trails in Point Reyes, you'll enjoy steady uphill climbs, cool eucalyptus forests and, on clear days, ridge views over the ocean.
Vital Information
- Location (country, state/province): USA, California, Point Reyes
- Distance: 6.1-12.8 miles roundtrip
- Time: 2-4 hours
- Elevation change: 400'-1700'
- Bathrooms Available: Yes
- Water Available: Yes
- Dogs allowed: No
Getting There
Point Reyes National Seashore is located north of San Francisco. There are several jumping off points for hikes in Point Reyes, but for all of these hikes, you'll be heading to the Bear Valley Visitor Center.
If coming from San Francisco, take Highway 101 north over the Golden Gate Bridge. Follow 101N until you hit Greenbrae. You'll see the Sir Francis Drake exit. Follow that west until you hit the town of Olema, where you'll hit the junction with Highway 1. Go right on Hwy 1 for a few hundred yards until you see Bear Valley Road. Take a left and follow it about a half mile into the parking lot.
For a very scenic drive, you can take Highway 1 north. However, it's much longer, and, if you get dizzy easily, it's a winding road!
Route Finding
- All of the Bear Valley Trails start at the Visitor's Center. After parking and doing any necessary activities (i.e. using the restroom, stocking up water), head behind the visitor's center to start out on the Bear Valley Trail.
- Bear Valley to Meadow to Horse Trail - One of the shorter hikes on the Bear Valley Trail, this loop takes you up to the top of Mount Wittenberg and gives you great coastal views on clear days. Though only about six miles roundtrip, the elevation change up to Mount Wittenberg is 1300', so you'll get a good workout. Follow the Bear Valley Trail south from the Visitor Center. At the .8 mile mark, you'll reach the junction with Meadow Trail. Follow this for about a mile and half, enjoying the wide open meadow and canyon views. The only confusing part of the hike occurs at the 2.3 mile mark. Here you'll reach the junction with the Z Ranch Trail and short hop to the Mount Wittenberg Trail. To hike up to the top of Mount Wittenberg, follow the Mount Wittenberg Trail to the right. Navigate back down to the first junction with the Z Ranch to follow it north after you've hiked up for the view. The Z Ranch Trail will connect with the Horse Trail at the 3.8 mile mark. From here on out, it's downhill until the Visitor's Center.
- Bear Valley to Old Pine to Mount Wittenberg - Another great hike off the Bear Valley Trail, this loop offers up some of the best parts of Point Reyes - views, vegetation and very pretty wildflowers. It's just over seven miles, and the elevation change is 1300'. From the Visitor Center, head south on the Bear Valley Trail, following it 2.5 miles to the junction at Old Pine Trail. At this spot, you'll be in Divide Meadow. Head west on Old Pine Trail until you reach the junction with Sky Trail (3.5 mile mark). Follow Sky Trail north for about a mile. At this point, you can either continue on the Sky Trail (a much longer hike) or head straight on the Mount Wittenberg Trail. Follow the Mount Wittenberg Trail up to the top, and then continue on the trail downhill to the Visitor's Center.
- Bear Valley to Mount Wittenberg to Sky - This 11 mile hike is a vigorous workout and, with 1500' elevation change, is one of the steepest routes along the Iverness Ridge. Follow Bear Valley Trail south from the Visitor's Center, but, quickly, take a right on the Mount Wittenberg Trail. Follow the Mount Wittenberg Trail about 1.8 miles west until you reach the Sky Trail. Follow the Sky Trail past two different junctions: you'll reach the Woodward Valley Trail at the 3.2 mile mark and then the Baldy Trail at the 4.9 mile mark. You'll keep heading south past these junctions until you reach the Cost Trail. Follow the trail to the left (east). You'll meet up with the Bear Valley Trail at the beautiful Arch Rock. You've got about 4 miles left heading north to the Visitor's Center.
- Bear Valley to Sky to Woodward Valley - The longest of the loop trails starting from the Bear Valley Visitor Center, this challenging hike covers almost 13 miles with an elevation change of 1700 feet. It's a gorgeous hike with views of meadows, the coast, wildflowers and forest life. From the Visitor Center, head south on the Bear Valley Trail until you reach the junction at the Mount Wittenberg Trail, about .2 miles. The Mount Wittenberg Trail is a fairly steep climb for 2.2 miles until you reach the junction with Sky Trail. Follow Sky Trail south .8 miles to the junction with Woodward Valley Trail, which eventually gets you a stunning ocean view on clear days. You'll meet the junction of Coast Trail at 5.2 mile mark from your start. Follow the Coast Trail until it meets up with the Bear Valley Trail. Head north back to the Visitor Center.
Trail Resources
Helpful Hints
Point Reyes National Seashore has a notoriously varied climate. A foggy morning can quickly burn off to reveal a warm sunny clear day. Dress in layers, preferably with wick-away clothing material, and, as always, bring plenty of water.
Activities allowed
Hiking
For More Information
- 0961704462 - Point Reyes National Seashore A Hiking and Nature Guide
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