Big Bear · Trails & routes
Pine Knot Trail 1E01 & Grand View Point
Oaks, pines and wildflowers to a south-rim overlook
Managed by San Bernardino National Forest
Pine Knot Trail 1E01 climbs south out of Big Bear Lake. The Forest Service describes it passing through oaks, pines and wildflowers and leading to Grand View Point.
Grand View Point looks south off the rim of the Big Bear plateau, away from the lake — a different view from every other trail on this list, and the reason people keep walking past the turnaround.
Getting there
- The Forest Service's Aspen Glen Picnic Area page states the Pineknot Trailhead is accessible from that picnic area, off Mill Creek Road in Big Bear Lake.
- The trail is also part of the south-shore mountain-bike network — expect shared use.
- Distance and difficulty are published on the agency trail page and are not restated here.
Safety & etiquette
- A sustained climb at elevation with limited shade on the upper sections.
- Shared with mountain bikers: hikers should expect faster traffic from behind.
- Afternoon thunderstorms are a genuine hazard on an exposed overlook in summer. Check the forecast.
Keep exploring nearby
- Castle Rock Trail 1W03 →
Short, steep climb to a granite outcrop above the south shore
- Bluff Lake Reserve →
High-elevation nature preserve southwest of Big Bear Lake
- Champion Lodgepole Pine →
Short forest walk near Bluff Lake to a famous old tree
What we don't publish
Round-trip mileage, elevation gain, seasonal wildflower timing and trail conditions are not published here.