Race Loop

Dogs Unknown

Big Bear Lake is an awesome spot for classic East Coast singletrack. The $5 entrance will get you in and give you a map. Superb trail developments will have you loving it. The terrain at Big Bear has a lot to offer: gradual climbs, a combination of rocky and smooth terrain, and a few steeper descents keep things exciting. Additionally, you'll be winding knee deep through ferns and flora, cruising on soft needle pines and passing beneath groves of mountain laurel.

To access the Race Loop trail, take any of the several trails that connect from the main parking area using the Hiking Project mobile app as needed. The Race Loop is excellent for most ages and all but beginner abilities as long as there is a willingness to work a little on the rolling terrain.

Taking the loop in the clockwise direction gives you a downhill on the steepest section. If you start by taking the left branch at the end of Dam Connector Trail you'll continue alongside the resort trailer campsites and then will have a series of ascents as you make your way out. After cresting, the ensuing descent will take you past the large open area. Twisting singletrack will then take you out to a section of trail running on the West Virginia/Maryland state line.

After this, the trail takes you back in a westerly direction as it gently ascends to the Pine area. The grove has virtually no undergrowth and you'll be on soft needle-covered trail. Next is some rocky fun hiking that gets increasingly steep culminating in a wide, fast, and jarring descent that takes you down to a tricky right turn. As you're beginning to fatigue, you'll encounter a straight shot down to a creek bed.

Head down the creek bed briefly, up the other side (continuing across a bridge), and back up to resort trailer sites where you started the loop.