Bear Valley Trail to the Coast at Miller Point

The walk starts at the Bear Valley Trailhead, beside the Bear Valley Visitor Center at Point Reyes. The Bear Valley Trail, a wide old ranch road, runs up a wooded valley beside a creek, past the Mount Wittenberg and Meadow Trail junctions, to Divide Meadow, 1.6 miles in. It then runs gently down the far side, past the Glen Trail junction at 3.1 miles, to meet the Coast Trail above the sea, 4.1 miles from the start. Arch Rock used to be the goal here, but the arch collapsed in 2015 and its spur is permanently closed. Turn left instead and follow the Coast Trail south for 0.4 miles to Miller Point. Return the same way.

It is 9.3 miles (14.9 km) round trip with 720 feet (220 m) of climbing; allow about 4½ hours. The grade is Moderate, for the distance: the trail is wide and the slopes are gentle all the way.

At the coast, stay on the maintained trail and off the bluff edges, which are unstable: a walker died when Arch Rock fell. There is no safe way down to a beach within four miles of Miller Point. Bicycles are allowed only on the first 3.1 miles. Pets are not allowed.

Parking at the trailhead is free, and there is no entrance fee.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.