Grizzly and Great Views

Hike to Grizzly Peak Near Ashland, Oregon

07.29.2020
Hike to Grizzly Peak Near Ashland, Oregon

Don’t let the name freak you out. You probably won’t see a grizzly bear on the hike up Grizzly Peak. What you will see is Ashlanders taking to this trail as one of their absolute favorite hikes. And we can see why: It’s somersault spectacular with panoramic mountain views and meadows of wildflowers.

Grizzly Peak Hike Ashland Oregon

The moderate 5.3-mile lollipop loop starts at 5,322 feet. Going counterclockwise, ascend through a canopied old-growth forest. Grizzly Peak’s official summit is slightly underwhelming—a pile of rocks in the forest. But hike on … the trail levels off and opens to huge views of the Rogue Valley as you traverse among wildflowers—from bold sunflowers to purple meadow larkspur, pink Oregon geraniums, and plenty more varieties that keep the rainbow tapestry going.

You eventually round out to Ashland Viewpoint for a vista sensation including Mount Shasta, Mount Ashland, downtown Ashland, Emigrant Lake, and Pilot Rock. This plateau is a good spot to take it all in and snap a bunch of pics, before continuing on the ridge and descending back into the forest. Wait, was that a bear we just heard? 

WINE BONUS: After your hike, relax with some wine tasting at nearby Irvine & Roberts Vineyards (1614 Emigrant Creek Road) near downtown Ashland. The entire space is airy and rustically elegant, and the super friendly team adds to a welcoming atmosphere for relaxing and sipping wines on the large outdoor patio. Views of the valley and nearby Grizzly Peak complete the scenery. The winery makes outstanding chardonnay and pinots. We like the 2018 Estate Chardonnay, the 2017 Pinot Noir Estate, the 2017 Elevation Block Pinot Noir, and the 2017 Pinot Noir Convergence. Pro tip: If your idea of hitting the trails includes wine trails, you're gonna love exploring Southern Oregon's wine trails.

Check out the Best Southern Oregon Road Trips

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: In the episode "Road Trip to Spectacular: National Park, Hot Springs & Hikes" the Weekend Sherpa team discuss their adventures in Southern Oregon and hiking Grizzly Peak followed by wine tasting.

Grizzly Peak trailhead info. Dog-friendly!

2020 Travel: Here’s more information on Southern Oregon’s health guidelines and updates.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View

  3. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View
  4. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

    View

  3. A Rose in the Pines

    A crackling fire, a bottle of wine, a bubbling Jacuzzi tub with a waterfall … now the big question: Marvin Gaye tunes or not? In the morning (ahem) it's breakfast in bed and a leis

    View
  4. Alex Villicana, Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

    Locals' Feature: Alex Villicana

    Tech booms, AI revolutions, okay that’s all fine, but you wanna know what else is really cool? Being a pioneer in a world-famous industry that—in Paso Robles—remains solidly down to earth. When Alex Villicana established Villicana Winery in 1993, he clearly had grape expectations...

    View