The Round Valley Hike

The Round Valley hike is a hike of about 2.5 miles one way that leads to picturesque Round Valley. Fairly level trails, short climbs, moderately strenuous. You can also hike the Round Valley loop which is a moderately strenuous hike of about 5 miles.

As you leave the Long Valley Ranger Station you will see the sign that points you in the direction of most of the hikes, including the loop trail. The loop trail is easiest if you follow the trail to the right when you get to the sign behind the ranger station. The way to the left starts to climb almost immediately and is more difficult.

This is one of my favorite hikes at the tram. The Round Valley hike which starts at the mountain station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and takes you past cool mountain streams, and beautiful mountain scenery.

If you are ready to experience some of the most beautiful hiking the Palm Springs area has to offer, grab your CamelBak, other Hydration Pack or Hydro Flask and get out on the trail, and check out our hiking safety tips. Please note that as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please note that as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

To begin the hike you will take the ramp down from the mountain station to the Long Valley Ranger Station. The hike takes you through part of the Mt. San Jacinto Wilderness, so you will have to stop at the ranger station to pick up your free wilderness permit. After obtaining your permit, and asking the ranger about current trail conditions, you will follow the trail that leads from the left side of the ranger station up the hill. After a short while you will come to a ‘Y’ in the trail. You can get to Round Valley either way, however the trail to the right is a more gradual uphill climb than the trail to the left. The choice is yours at that point.

Either way you go there are signs along the trail to point you in the right direction, but if it is your first visit I recommend purchasing a trail map from the gift store at the mountain station of the tram.

If you take the trail to the right like I usually do, it is a fairly level hike in some places, with some short climbs through switchbacks, and it is a moderately strenuous hike of about 2.5 miles one way that leads to picturesque Round Valley.

Along the way you will past through a few meadows which during the summer are filled with lush vegetation, including the beautiful corn lily, which begins to sprout early late in May or early June, and by July is blooming with beautiful flowers at the top of the plant.

You will also have the chance to possibly view some of the wildlife in the area, including squirrels, deer, bobcats and other species.

Less than half a mile from Round Valley you will come to a junction in the trail, if you go to the left you will continue on what is called the Round Valley Loop, and that will take you back to the ranger station. If you go right you will reach Round Valley itself.

Once at Round Valley you can stop and have a snack while enjoying the fresh mountain air, blue skies and the quiet of the wilderness.

If you are planning on hiking further, to Wellmans Divide or the peak of Mt. San Jacinto there are signs in Round Valley to point the way.

When you are ready to return to the ranger station you can return the way you came or continue along the Round Valley Loop at the junction a short way from Round Valley that you came across on the way there. If you return the way you came it will be mostly a downhill hike from that point, however if you take the other section of the loop trail you will have some uphill climbing to do on the way back.

Please remember that this hike is in a wilderness location, so you should always check the weather reports before going up the mountain, or ask the ranger about any possible storms coming your way, and always have proper hiking equipment. You should have proper hiking boots or shoes, and plenty of water and follow these hiking tips.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes you up to Mt. San Jacinto State Park which offers about 54 miles of hiking trails located within the 14,000 acre Mt. San Jacinto Wilderness area. All of the trails including the trail to Round Valley are accessed by exiting the Mountain Station and descending a concrete pathway less than a mile long to Long Valley.