Grin and Bear It

Bike Ride Around Big Bear Lake

Bicycle Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake will host a time trial stage for both the men and women in the 2015 Tour of California. Want to see how you measure up? Take a not-so-tough 17.4-mile loop around Big Bear Lake and be treated to exceptional scenery in the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains. Make it a clockwise loop so that you bear-hug-it close to the lake. The ride takes you down five miles of quiet residential streets that you'd otherwise miss just driving through town, and the posted bike route is perfect, passing cabins and homes along the lakeshore. Head west from the city past picturesque Boulder Bay, where grey rock islands rise out of the blue water. Downshift as the ride rolls over steep boulder- and pine-covered slopes at the southwest end of the lake, descending to a dam at the lake’s west end. As you make the turn for the north shore, you'll get a long view up the mountain lake. The road passes close to the water's edge on this mostly undeveloped side of the lake. Since this isn’t a real time trial, jump off your wheels for a bit and perch yourself on a rock to soak in views across the water toward the mountains. Afterwards, pedal through the quiet town of Fawnskin, passing a small park full of quirky statues. Finish the ride along the road or take the Alpine Pedal Path on a parallel route through a forest of tall pines and along the shore of Big Bear Lake. This piece of high mountain heaven will keep your legs churning to the finish.

Start from Stanfield Cutoff at the east end of Big Bear Lake. Bike south to Big Bear Blvd. (CA-18) and turn right. At the second light, turn right onto Fox Farm Rd. Follow the posted bike route onto Swan Dr., Marina Point Dr., Bayside Dr., Stone Bridge Rd., Condor Dr., Eureka Dr., Eagle Dr., Park Ave., and Knight Ave. to return to Big Bear Blvd. Turn right and then follow another bike route on Lakeview Dr., Forest Rd., and Edgemoor Rd. back to Big Bear Blvd. Turn right and bike 3.1 miles to North Shore Dr. (CA-38). Turn right and bike 5 miles to North Shore Ln. Continue straight on the road or turn right on N. Shore Ln. to reach the Alpine Pedal Path, which begins on the left after 450 feet. Take either back to Stanfield Cutoff.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Serene Las Gallinas

    A serene stroll alongside marshland, passing ponds and grasses frilled in seasonal wildflowers, with Mount Tam a beacon in the background … how nice. As part of the esteemed Bay Trail, San Rafael’s Las Gallinas Valley Birding Loop and Wildlife Ponds comprises about 3.5 miles of wide-open trail.

    View
  2. Paint Brushy

    This time of year you’ll have good reason to head for the hills—the electric-green rolling hills of Brushy Peak Regional Preserve in Livermore. This 4.5-mile loop hike is like stepping into a plein air painting.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    2025 POST Wildflower Walks

    Get flower empowered! POST’s complimentary 2025 Wildflower Walks guide blooms with the best places to see a variety of florals across the Peninsula and South Bay this spring.

    View
  4. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Weekend in Reno Tahoe

    Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.

    View
  2. Hiker walking along the North Bluff Trail on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park

    Purely Wild

    Channel Islands National Park lives up to its nickname as “North America’s Galapagos.” This less-traveled national park is an undeveloped and isolated series of five dramatic and distinct islands reached by boat. Hike the largest of the islands, Santa Cruz.

    View
  3. Woman hiking the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon

    Truly Grand Day Hike

    One of the best spring day hikes in the Grand Canyon? See layer upon layer of the park’s grandeur—including the river—on this 3-mile (one-way) journey to Skeleton Point via the South Kaibab Trail.

    View
  4. A woman stands amid an array of yellow and purple flowers at Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles

    Petal Paradise

    Tulips, lilacs, and daffodils—flower power is in full bloom at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. Sprawling across 150 acres surrounded by mountains, the gardens are putting on their best show right now.

    View