Bear Valley Trail

"This is one of the premier hikes on Point Reyes that includes a riparian corridor, lush forest, breathtaking views and spring flowers. Can be wet."

--Don & Kay Martin, Hiking Marin: 141 Great Hikes in Marin County (Marin Press LLC).

"This hike makes a round trip to the top of Mt. Wittenberg and back. Great views when clear and good wildflowers in May and June. Can be muddy in winter or dusty in fall."

--Don & Kay Martin, Hiking Marin: 141 Great Hikes in Marin County (Marin Press LLC).

"This hike takes the steepest route to the Inverness Ridge and then follows the ridge to the coast. Great views and magnificent forests. Some mud possible on the ridge."

--Don & Kay Martin, Hiking Marin: 141 Great Hikes in Marin County (Marin Press LLC).

"This is the best and easiest hike to Inverness Ridge. It provides great views, forest vegetation, good berries and spring wildflowers."

--Don & Kay Martin, Hiking Marin: 141 Great Hikes in Marin County (Marin Press LLC).

"This hike has it all! Meadows, forests, creeks, beaches, rolling hills, wildflowers and panoramic views all await the vigorous hiker."

--Don & Kay Martin, Hiking Marin: 141 Great Hikes in Marin County (Marin Press LLC).

"This 3 interpretative trails all have information signs explaining the geology, natural history and Miwok culture."

--Don & Kay Martin, Hiking Marin: 141 Great Hikes in Marin County (Marin Press LLC).

"Climb shaded paths through a lush forest from Bear Valley to reach Inverness Ridge, travel the ridgeline beneath towering Douglas-firs with views of the coastline, and return along the creekside Bear Valley Trail. To turn this exceptional hike into a full-day excursion through varied terrain and vegetation, you can continue on the Sky Trail along the ridge, take in fantastic views as you descend to the coast, visit Arch Rock, and then stroll back to the trailhead on the Bear Valley Trail. After you climb the ridge, the route is level or descending for the rest of the hike.
Horseback Riding allowed except on weekends and holidays on the Bear Valley, Meadow, and Old Pine trails."

--Jessica Lage, Point Reyes: The Complete Guide to the National Seashore and Surrounding Area (Wilderness Press).

"This variation on the Bear Valley Trail to Arch Rock provides outstanding views from the coastal bluff, a good whale-watching vantage point, and a hillside full of spring wildflowers.
Horseback Riding allowed except on weekends and holidays, Cycling allowed for the first 3.1 miles to Glen Trail turnoff (bike rack available)."

--Jessica Lage, Point Reyes: The Complete Guide to the National Seashore and Surrounding Area (Wilderness Press).

"You’ll get a taste of inland and coastal environments on this short but steep trip to the highest point in the seashore, first in the mixed forest on the eastern flank of Mt. Wittenberg and then on the open seaside slopes. A picnic or rest stop on the 1407-foot summit affords exhilarating views of the coastline.
Horseback Riding allowed except on weekends and holidays on the Bear Valley, Meadow, and Old Pine trails."

--Jessica Lage, Point Reyes: The Complete Guide to the National Seashore and Surrounding Area (Wilderness Press).

"This long hike visits the best of the Bear Valley area. Skirt the seashore’s highest point and then descend to the ocean with great views of the coastline. On the level trail along the coastal bluff look for wildflowers, whales, and sea lions. Before heading inland along a creek, you can visit the dramatic rocky promontory of Arch Rock.
Horseback Riding allowed except on weekends and holidays on the Bear Valley Trail."

--Jessica Lage, Point Reyes: The Complete Guide to the National Seashore and Surrounding Area (Wilderness Press).

"This is the most popular hike on Point Reyes. It is an out and back hike so you can turn around anytime. Great views at Arch Rock. Bicycles allowed part way."

--Don & Kay Martin, Hiking Marin: 141 Great Hikes in Marin County (Marin Press LLC).

"One of the most popular and accessible routes in the park, the Bear Valley Trail leads through a dense riparian woodland to picturesque Divide Meadow. The journey from the Bear Valley Visitor Center to Divide Meadow is a quintessential Point Reyes experience. If you live near the park, you’ve done it a thousand times. You’ve walked it in the rain, through the fog, and under a blazing Indian summer sun. If you’ve never hiked at the national seashore, this is the perfect introduction. The broad and relatively flat trail, perfect for sharing a conversation with a hiking companion, leads through shady forest to a broad sloping meadow flush with wildflowers in the spring."

--Tracy Salcedo-Chourre, Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Falcon Guides).

"Easy-to-access, fairly level, and exceptionally scenic, this wide trail follows a murmuring creek through a rich forest. Divide Meadow makes a pleasant picnic or rest spot, or even a destination for a short hike. Continue to the coast to visit dramatic Arch Rock. The first part of the Bear Valley Trail is great for bikes, but remember to bring a lock so you can continue to the coast on foot!
Horseback Riding allowed except on weekends and holidays, Cycling allowed for the first 3.1 miles to Glen Trail turnoff (bike rack available)."

--Jessica Lage, Point Reyes: The Complete Guide to the National Seashore and Surrounding Area (Wilderness Press).

"This journey, suitable for the whole family, stays shaded along Bear Valley and Coast Creeks most of the way and then leads to Arch Rock on a coastal bluff, where you’ll admire views of the Pacific Ocean before strolling on a gorgeous beach."

--John R. Soares & Marc J. Soares, 100 Classic Hikes in Northern California (The Mountaineers Books).

"Explore the full spectrum of Point Reyes National Seashore on this loop hike, which tours the lush forest atop the peninsula’s highest ridgelines, descends past far-reaching views, and then explores the salt-swept coastline before returning inland via Bear Valley. Pitch a tent at Sky Camp and Glen Camp for a relaxing two-night journey; for an overnight trip, Glen Camp is near the midpoint of the hike."

--Author varies by trail, Backpacking California: Mountain, Foothill, Coastal, & Desert Adventures in the Golden State (Wilderness Press).