Are dogs allowed on High Peaks and Bear Gulch Loop Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on High Peaks and Bear Gulch Loop Trail but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike High Peaks and Bear Gulch Loop Trail?

No, High Peaks and Bear Gulch Loop Trail does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is High Peaks and Bear Gulch Loop Trail?

High Peaks and Bear Gulch Loop Trail is rated difficult. It is 7.7 miles long with 2,720 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Is High Peaks and Bear Gulch Loop Trail suitable for kids?

High Peaks and Bear Gulch Loop Trail is not typically recommended for young children due to length, exposure, or technical terrain. Older kids with hiking experience may be fine — use your judgment based on your family's comfort level.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See California trail conditions

High Peaks and Bear Gulch Loop Trail route map

DifficultLoop

Pinnacles National Park/California

High Peaks and Bear Gulch Loop Trail

Paicines, California

7.7 mi

Distance

2,720 ft

Elev. Gain

3h 32m

Est. Time

Loop

Route Type

Difficult

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

Please note as of 2/19/2019 Balconies Cave and Bear Gulch Cave are closed due to flooding. Hike the whole length of the High Peaks Trail to find out why it's the most popular Pinnacles trail. High Peaks Trail is a rugged route through the remarkable rock features of Pinnacles National Monument, which was formed millions of years ago when the San Andreas Fault shattered a volcano. While many hike options at the Pinnacles include parts of High Peaks Trail, I'm particularly fond of this loop because it takes in the entire trail. Trails on this loop: Bear Gulch Trail, Bench Trail, High Peaks Trail. Main attractions are the jungle gym of stairs, steps and close quarters along the top of the trail, but the ascent to the top is well worth checking out too. Take the Bench Trail first and gradually climb upward with awesome vistas all the way up. If fortune smiles, you might catch sight of the rare California condors that soar above the park. Best time to go: Springtime adds wildflowers to the awesome scenery, making it a near perfect hike. Summer will be too hot and autumn may be too dry, but winter should be gorgeous if you give the trails a couple days to dry out after passing storm systems.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:306 ft

Max:781 ft

829 ft

Trail Details

Dogs on leash

Route Type: Loop
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

Managed by National Park Service

Verify before you go

Source of truth

National Park Service unit page
Alerts, conditions, and the unit's plan-your-visit page.

Verify by phone or mail

Operator:831-389-4486
Address:5000 East Entrance Road · Paicines, CA · 95043

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.