Best Seat in the House

Winter Biking in San Bernardino County

01.05.2016

Desert to mountain terrain and beautiful scenery that changes around every corner. One of the best ways to explore the vast landscape known as California's Outdoor Playground just east of LA is on two wheels, thanks to an exceptional network of bike trails offering something for everyone. Here are some bike rides to get you rolling.

Big Bear, Beginner Friendly, and Beautiful: What makes this 10.4-mile bike ride in Big Bear Lake special? It's home to the largest living pine trees in the San Bernardino National Forest. With 900 feet of elevation, the Champion Lodgepole trail is easy to moderate. (TIP: Rent your bikes and get even more trail beta at Bear Valley Bikes.)

Butler Peak Performance: The Butler Peak bike trail is for mountain bikers who love a good challenge, and a brilliant sunset! As one of the San Bernardino Mountains' most prominent peaks, and home to a fire lookout, Butler Peak is a moderately technical trail that finishes with a sunset over the San Gabriel Mountains.

Keller Peak National Children's Forest: This forest just for kids is the place to be for a family biking adventure. With easy to moderate smooth roads, scenery includes Snow Valley Ski Area and Lucerne Valley, as well as numerous peaks. Another family-friendly favorite: the 12.5-mile Silverwood Lake Bike Path, located in the crown jewel of America's scenic trails.

Santa Ana River Trail Rambler: As one of the longest and best singletrack trails in Southern California, the Santa Ana River Trail in Angelus Oaks has sections ranging from easy to difficult. Cross creeks, curve around lodgepole pines, or just pedal the flats—choose your own adventure.

Start your Visit List and find more biking itineraries and outdoor adventures in San Bernardino County. 

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Sheep looking at camera in Hidden Villa Farm

    It Takes a Hidden Villa

    Adorable farm animals and peaceful hiking trails: Visit Hidden Villa in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, hike to South Bay vistas and see animal cuteness.

    View
  2. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View

  3. 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

  4. Up and Umunhum

    Early risers can experience one of the Bay Area’s best morning glory hikes on this 7.4-mile out-and-back up beautiful Mount Umunhum. In early spring if you arrive at the parking area right before sunrise, you’ll get a beautiful eastern view of the sun coming up between Bald Mountain and the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains. On days when fog settles into the valley, the colorful view is nothing short of magical.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  2. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    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