Pinecrest is a region nestled within California's Sierra Nevada mountains, offering a diverse landscape for outdoor activities. Situated within the Stanislaus National Forest, the area features dramatic vistas, significant elevation changes, and natural landmarks like Pinecrest Lake. This environment provides a compelling setting for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, and jogging.
Outdoor enthusiasts exploring Pinecrest will find more than 10 routes across various sports. The region is well-suited for hiking, with trails…
45
Routes
4.4
(34)
Average rating
952
People visited

26
hikers
4.58km
01:09
0m
0m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
20
hikers
3.98km
01:00
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
4.12km
01:03
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
1.84km
00:28
0m
0m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(4)
328
riders
38.1km
01:34
40m
40m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

119
riders
69.6km
02:49
70m
70m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

66
riders
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

28
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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33
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

27
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
runners
10.6km
01:06
10m
10m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
runners
9.17km
00:57
10m
10m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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23
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(4)
16
riders
56.0km
03:08
60m
60m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
riders
26.1km
01:31
40m
40m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Pinecrest, located in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, offers a range of outdoor activities including hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, and jogging. The region is within the Stanislaus National Forest and features diverse terrain.
The Pinecrest Lake National Recreation Trail is a popular 4-mile (6.4 km) loop around Pinecrest Lake. Other notable hiking destinations include Cleo's Bath and routes leading to Catfish Lake. For more options, explore Hiking around Pinecrest.
Yes, the Pinecrest Lake National Recreation Trail is a moderately easy 4-mile (6.4 km) loop suitable for families. It follows the lake's shoreline and crosses the Stanislaus River. Find more options in Easy hikes around Pinecrest.
More strenuous hikes include the trail to Cleo's Bath, which requires good hiking shoes. Routes from high-elevation trailheads over 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) like Crabtree Road and Herring Creek Road also offer challenging options.
Road cyclists can explore Clark Fork Road, an approximately 22-mile (35.4 km) route with a mild grade. Biking to Dodge Ridge involves a 3.8-mile (6.1 km) climb with a 1,000-foot (305 meter) elevation gain. Discover more routes in Road Cycling Routes around Pinecrest.
Yes, the diverse terrain of the Stanislaus National Forest is suitable for touring cycling. Routes like Clark Fork Road and the Pinecrest – Old Strawberry Rd Loop are favored. Many miles of forest service dirt roads, once logging railroads, offer longer, flatter routes. See Cycling around Pinecrest for more.
The 4-mile (6.4 km) loop around Pinecrest Lake is a popular option for jogging, typically taking 50-60 minutes. Other runs are available from the Pinecrest cabin area and shorter loops towards the dam and ranger station. Consult Running Trails around Pinecrest for details.
Pinecrest is characterized by the Sierra Nevada mountains and Pinecrest Lake, surrounded by granite outcroppings and mixed conifer forests. Other features include the Stanislaus River and Cleo's Bath, a series of natural pools.
Pinecrest is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 2,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.77 out of 5 stars.
Information regarding specific dog regulations for trails in Pinecrest is best obtained directly from the Stanislaus National Forest. Visitors should check local rules before bringing pets on trails.
Komoot offers several guides for Pinecrest, including Hiking around Pinecrest, Easy hikes around Pinecrest, and Road Cycling Routes around Pinecrest. Guides for touring cycling and running are also available.
For information regarding outdoor recreation in the Pinecrest area, contact the Stanislaus National Forest, Summit Ranger District. Their phone number is (209) 965-3434.

