Bike Trails For Beginners & Intermediates

Beginner Rides

Big Bear trails offer a wide variety of terrain for kids and biking beginners. See our top choices for paved, dirt, and Bike Park routes.

1. Alpine Pedal Path

This paved path on the north side of the lake is the perfect route for kids and families out for a casual ride. Here you can acclimate to the elevation and adjust to your bike. The trail starts along Stanfield Cutoff and continues about 2.5 miles to the Big Bear Observatory.

2 . Bristlecone Trail

Access to this trail starts either from the Willow Ave/Poplar St intersection, or from the Bristlecone Dr Forest Road. This loop offers easy dirt terrain with subtle hills, a great intro to trail riding! It's best to map this route out before you start riding.

3. Towne Trail

For easiest access, start Towne Trail from the Snow Summit parking lot. This route is a little more hilly but has a flowing rhythm to it. Be cautious as many other riders and hikers use this trail.

4.Snow Summit

Bikers looking to take their skills to the next level have two options: the Summit Bike Park and miles of National Forest trails. Within park boundaries, Going Green caters to beginners. You'll need to take the chairlift to reach this trail. Cross Country trails are accessible from the top of the chairlift as well. Pirates and Skyline Trail are the easiest options down the mountain.

Above: Alpine Pedal Path

Graduating to Intermediate Routes

Ready to level up on your difficulty? Adding on to the above rides is easy once you're feeling confident.

1. From Bristlecone Trail

Add on to the Bristlecone Trail by heading up Fern Trail (1E31) to the intersection of Skyline Trail (1E12) or Road (2N10) - this will be at the top of Clubview Dr.

2. Ride Skyline West

If you're riding the chairlift to the top of Snow Summit, you can follow 2N10 or Skyline Trail west toward Grandview Point where you can catch Pine Knot (1E01) and ride to Aspen Glen Picnic Area.

3. Ride Skyline East

Riding East on Skyline from Snow Summit will bring you to the top of Clubview Dr where you can catch Fern Trail and ride down to Bristlecone Trail.

4. Summit Bike Park

At Summit Bike Park, try your skills down Blue Steel and Turtle Trail or an intermediate experience.

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