The Round Valley Loop Trail

The Round Valley Loop Trail is a moderately strenuous hike of about 4 miles in the beautiful Mt. San Jacinto Wilderness, which is accessed from the Mountain Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes you out of the summer heat in the desert up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon to a hiking paradise that is about 30 degrees cooler than the valley floor. It is a 10 minute ride from the Valley Station – elevation 2,643 ft. to the Mountain Station – elevation 8,516 ft.

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 find the trail, walk down the cement ramp that leads down from the Mountain Station of the tram, and follow the signs to the Long Valley Ranger Station. From the ranger station you will see the sign that points you in the direction of the Round Valley Loop Hike. The hike includes fairly level trails, short climbs, and is moderately strenuous.

The loop trail is easiest if you follow the trail to the right (counterclockwise) when you get to the sign behind the ranger station. The way to the left starts to climb almost immediately and is more difficult because it isn’t as gradual a climb.

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 go either way, however like I said 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.

About 1/3 of a mile before you reach Round Valley you will come to a junction, to continue the loop just go to the left, on that section of the loop trail you will have some uphill climbing to do on the way back, but nothing too difficult. There are a couple junctions along the way, but the signs will point you back to the Long Valley Ranger Station.