Pineknot Trail to Grand View Point (Big Bear)

7.5 miles - Moderate Effort
2:30-3:30 Hours (Total)
1,200 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 7,720 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

While it isn't a hike to a high mountain summit, taking the serene and scenic Pineknot Trail up to Grand View Point offers you a similar payoff, but without a big effort. The trail climbs gently through the pine forest, with glimpses down to Big Bear Lake, and then ends at Grand View Point, which has sweeping views of the San Bernardino high peaks. Overall it's a pleasant hike that offers something nice for hikers of all ability levels.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions to Grand View Point
How to Get to the Pineknot Trail
Grand View Hike Maps
Insider Tips and Recommendations for the Hike

Quick Links:
Parks Pass - Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Apr 2024 Gear

Where is the Pineknot Trail?

The Pineknot Trail is located in the town of Big Bear Lake, and it starts at the Aspen Glen Picnic Area. Use this trailhead address:
Aspen Glen Picnic Area, 40105 Mill Creek Rd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 1 — Look for the Aspen Glen Picnic Area nestled in the middle of a residential area.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 2 — There's a moderate amount of parking, but I've never seen the lot full early in the morning.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 3 — Since Aspen Glen offers picnic benches and a bathroom, there is a fee. You can use an Adventure Pass or a national parks pass, which I highly recommend investing in.

Gear For the Hike

Like most of the area, it can get hot in the summer and cold and icy in the winter. There's no real mountain summit, so what you wear at the start is usually fine for what you need at Grand View Point.
I'd bring at least 1L of water.
The hike is shady and the sun isn't a problem.
There are no real steep parts and trekking poles are probably overkill, but if you like hiking with them, they'll work fine here too.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.

HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Pineknot Trail Maps

Overall the trail is in great condition, and a local cycling club has even adopted some new trail signs. There are several cutoffs, trail updates, and use trails initially, and I'll tell you how to navigate them below. You'll share the trail with mountain bikers.

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Elevation Profile

Pineknot Trail Elevation — You'll climb about 300-400 feet every mile, which is a gradual gradient. Some sections are uphill, none steep, some rolling, and there are many flat sections in between.

3D Map

Pineknot Trail 360 Map — From the parking area you'll wind your way up Red Ant Canyon (yup) to Skyline Road. Just past that is Grand View Point.

Pineknot to Grand View Hike Directions

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 4 — The trailhead is on the other side of day use area, past the picnic benches.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 5 — Look for the official trailhead where the clearing ends.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 6 — It's a little farther than this. You'll see a mix of the old a new signs along the way.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 7 — The beginning of the hike is the most confusing, with lots of cutoff trails. The official trail goes left along the gully, and up along the other side of the gully.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 8 — When you come around the bend on end of the gully, stay straight on the new trail, not back to the left.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 9 — Once around the bend hike straight on the trail.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 10 — Soon you'll hike around a corner and leave the confusing start behind.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 11 — At the intersection, go straight through.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 12 — Here's the sign at intersection. We're heading to Skyline (before continuing to Grand View). Also note that the new signs refer to the trail as the "Pine Knot" and not the "Pineknot" which is the official spelling.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 13 — Now you have a nice long gradual uphill through the pines.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 14 — Avoid several cutoffs which you'll see on this stretch.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 15 — As you ascend you'll get some views down to Big Bear Lake.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 16 — At the junction stay right and continue on the Pineknot Trail, which goes downhill for a short stretch.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 17 — Just past the junction there's a nice bench with views to Big Bear Lake.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 18 — Now you have a long cruise uphill toward Skyline Road.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 19 — Go straight past a side trail that joins from the right.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 20 — When you get to Knickerbocker Road (2N08), cross and bear left for a hot second.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 21 — And then look for the Pineknot Trail to continue across the road.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 22 — The trail levels off and there's another bench.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 23 — And then you'll see Deer Group Campground on the left.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 24 — Hike across the access road to Deer Group Campground.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 25 — And then the trail follows the dirt road down to the right.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 26 — And soon you'll arrive at Skyline Road. Cross the road and visit the viewpoint.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 27 — From the viewpoint you'll get a preview of Grand View. The tallest mountain in the distance is San Gorgonio, the highest peak in Southern California.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 28 — Once you've enjoyed the view, head back to the trail and continue about 0.25 miles to Grand View Point.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 31 — There's another sign right there confirming that you are on the trail to Grand View Point.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 29 — You have a little climbing left to do.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 30 — And then you'll arrive at the hilltop at Grand View Point.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 33 — There's a nice bench to take in the views.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 34 — And an interpretive display that explains what you are looking at. You have a sweeping panoramic view of the San Bernardino Mountain high peaks, also known as "10,000 foot ridge" since all the peaks are above that attitude.

Pineknot To Grand View Hike 35 — The peak in the middle without any trees is San Gorgonio at 11,499 feet. In the winter this range is usually covered in snow.

From here, just hike back the way you came up.

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.