This Mountain Hiking Trail In Northern California Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination

There’s a trail in a beautiful and lesser-visited region of Northern California that makes the perfect day trip. Located in Bear Valley is the Bear Valley Mountain Ski Resort to Bear Lake hiking trail. This out-and-back trail is 3.4-miles and is the best hike near Bear Valley, Northern California. It’s a scenic route that takes about an hour and a half. Afterwards, enjoy the Bear Valley Mountain Resort.

Have you heard of Bear Valley? This lesser-known resort town has plenty to offer, starting with this easy trek.

Not to be confused with Big Bear Mountain in Southern California, this resort is located in Stanislaus National Forest.

This trail is located near Bear Valley Mountain Resort in Bear Valley.

You can find this area by taking California State Route 4.

The best times to visit this trail are November through April.

Always check roadway conditions if you’re traveling up the mountain in the winter months since it snows heavily in this region and the roads may be closed.

To get to the trailhead, exit Route 4 for Mt. Reba Road. The trailhead will be on your left (it is easy to find).

The hike takes you south through high mountain meadows toward the small Bear Lake. We love this trail for its incredible vistas at every turn. It’s also a dog-friendly trail, so feel free to bring your pup. Be advised that dogs may be off-leash in some areas.

The whole trail is pretty exposed, so bring lots of water and a hat, especially on sunny days.

If you’re an avid hiker, or trying to go hiking more often, consider upgrading to AllTrails+, so you can download maps to view offline and tap into tons of other features.

After finishing your trek, why not stay awhile and enjoy the resort? If you’re a skier, the mountain has 9 lifts and more than 75 trails.

Or, visit the pristine Lake Alpine and later walk through the forests of giant Sequoias at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Whether you visit in the winter or summer, there is plenty to do in Bear Valley.

We like that Bear Valley is a bit lesser-known than some of the other ski resort towns. Although this is a popular trail, the area is remote, so you probably won't see many people on your hike. So if you're looking for an easy trail with big payoff, take the best hike near Bear Valley, Northern California.