Earthquake Trail is a 0.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Point Reyes Station, California that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round.
FIRE CLOSURE: As of March 2021, there are closures in this park or area due to wildfire. For more information, please visit https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/hiking_trail_advisories.htm Discover the geology of the San Andreas Fault Zone through interpretive signs on this paved loop starting at the Bear Valley trailhead. Along the trail, a fence that jumped 16 feet in the 1906 earthquake helps us to imagine the earth's power. Accessibility: In the large paved parking lot by the Bear Valley Visitor Center, it is unclear if there are designated accessible parking spaces with striped access aisles. The trail surface is paved asphalt or dirt and typically at least two feet wide. It may be too narrow in sections for wheelchairs. The estimated grade is mostly gentle (5% or less) except for a moderately steep (up to 8%) uphill section at 0.2 miles when going clockwise.
Park at the Bear Valley Parking Area
California Travel and Tourism Commision, P.O. Box 1499 , Sacramento, CA, 95812-1499, Phone: 800-862-2543
Directions from Highway 1: At Olema turn into the park entrance on Bear Valley Road. The Bear Valley Visitor Center is approximately a one minute drive from the park entrance. Across the street from the visitor center is the Bear Valley Picnic Area. The trailhead lies within the picnic area.
April 9, 2021Very easy, a quick stretch after bring in the car. Nice but nothing special
February 22, 2021Looped twice. Nobody out here. Serene
February 21, 2021February 5, 2021Beautiful easy trail. Family friendly
August 15, 2020July 22, 2020There were some annoying flies at the beginning, but disappeared once I began the trail. It was a lovely little trail. I learned a bit about earthquakes.
July 17, 2020Agree, it's more for family with smaller kids. My expectations were a wee bit too high - was expecting something totally different.
February 24, 2020This is a very easy & simple trail. Ideal for kids
January 2, 2020Paved. Couldn't be easier. Excellent birding; saw orange-crowned warblers and many other varieties.
December 8, 2019Our kids favorite
July 6, 2019Easy and flat.
April 21, 2019Very easy and kid friendly. Our 3 year old was able to walk this trail. Lots of interesting information regarding 1906 earthquake. Definitely stop by the visitor center when you’re finished.
April 16, 2019cute and very easy short loop. not really a hike, just a walking path. lots of information on the local geography.
July 23, 2018A great family hike, lots of interesting stuff for the kiddoes, the PRNS museum is a real place. Not a brisk hike, but s great place to start your day.
January 13, 2018Very quick hike with a fault line where a big earthquake occurred.
January 12, 2018Great little easy hike right by the visitors center. Decided to do it to get a bit of a stretch after driving from Reno before going on to explore more of Pt. Reyes. Has some nice interpretive signs and feels quite deep in the woods for being so close to the visitor center. It was a great short hike that my 2 year old son easily did all by himself.
June 8, 2017interesting information about the 1906 earthquake.
February 28, 2016The earthquake trail is easy in terms of difficulty. The trail is well-maintained and more of a walking trail. It is definitely a tourist attraction with lots of signs about the science and history of earthquakes.
October 5, 2012This short easy paved loop explores the San Andreas Fault Zone. Interpretive signs describe geology of area. Trail begins southeast corner of Bear Valley Picnic Area, across street from Bear Valley VC. Basically flat, maybe a good jogging trail. The signs are very informative and it's nice seeing how far the fence moved during the "big one." Deer and birds are plentiful. Worth a short walk when you visit the VC.
February 15, 2021February 15, 2021February 6, 2021January 25, 2021January 3, 2021December 2, 2020October 25, 2020August 18, 2020May 24, 2020February 22, 2020February 17, 2020
