Pros & cons
PROS
- Two-bridge loop lets you walk both riverbanks for varied views
- Excellent scenery-to-effort ratio with towering granite and emerald water
CONS
- South-side segment can be rough with tricky spring creek crossings
- Summer heat and limited shade make late starts uncomfortable
Park at Roads End in Cedar Grove (about 5.5 miles east of the village). Large lot with restrooms and bear boxes for food and scented items.
Spring and early summer runoff can complicate unimproved creek crossings on the south side. Seasonal road access to Cedar Grove varies; check status before you go. Fire-affected areas may have downed trees and other hazards—verify current conditions with park staff.
Overview
This is Cedar Grove’s easy win: a mostly flat, 5-mile loop (total distance) with roughly 150 feet of gain that packs in huge granite walls, the South Fork Kings River, and mixed conifer forest. It’s commonly rated moderate but feels approachable for most hikers who are comfortable with a few sandy and rocky stretches. Expect about 2 to 2.5 hours at a casual pace.
Route Snapshot
Start at Roads End (restrooms and bear boxes available). Head upstream along the north side of the river past the permit station and signboards for Mist Falls/Paradise Valley. You’ll cross Copper Creek, cruise a sandy bench with big canyon views, then slip into denser forest with ferns. Around 2 miles, turn right toward Bubbs Creek and cross the sturdy bridge over the South Fork Kings River. Now on the south side, the trail gets a bit rougher underfoot with stretches of granite and seasonal creek crossings; keep an eye out for open viewpoints, easy river access, and a small waterfall on Avalanche Creek. Near mile 3.9 there’s a lone boulder with historic graffiti from 1912. The loop closes by crossing Red Bridge near the parking area, where the river is calm upstream and turns to whitewater below.
Scenery and What to Watch For
This U-shaped glacial canyon is all drama—jagged bluffs and cliff faces loom thousands of feet above the river. You’ll walk through shady stands of pine, cedar, and fir, spot sugar pines with extra‑long cones, and enjoy frequent glimpses of emerald-toned water. Views of distinctive peaks like the Sphinx add some “name-that-summit” fun.
Tips, Variations, and Add‑Ons
Either direction works. If you want a longer, bigger‑payoff day, continue from the north-bank junction toward Mist Falls instead of closing the loop—an extremely popular extension with roaring river energy. For an easy sampler elsewhere in Cedar Grove, Zumwalt Meadow pairs well with this loop on a different day. Anglers will appreciate the south-side river access in a few open stretches.
Best Time to Hike
Plan this one when the Cedar Grove road is open—typically late spring through fall. The sweet spot is May through October, with cooler temps early and late in the season. Summer heat builds quickly on the sandy sections, so start early for shade and easier parking. In spring and early summer, expect higher flows that can make minor creek crossings on the south side more involved.
Know Before You Go
No wilderness permit is needed for day hiking here. Pets and bikes are not allowed on park trails. Seasonal access to Highway 180 varies; in late fall, winter, and spring, road closures and chain requirements are possible. Trail conditions and bridge status can shift with storms, runoff, and fire effects; check with park staff for the latest. Wildfire-affected areas may contain downed trees and other hazards—stay alert.
Elevation
5 mi · 2.3 hrWhere it starts
36.7948, -118.5864Near Kanawyer Loop Trail
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayJohn Muir TrailHigh passes and classic Sierra basins from Evolution to Forester.Challenging · 211 mi · 168 hr
0 mi awayRae Lakes LoopSierra classic: granite, alpine lakes, and one big pass payoffChallenging · 41.4 mi · 96 hr
0 mi awayParadise Valley TrailGranite canyon walk to Mist Falls and lush, camp friendly Paradise ValleyChallenging · 18 mi · 7.7 hr
0 mi awayMist Falls TrailBig canyon stroll to a thundering, very misty 100-foot waterfallModerate · 8 mi · 4.5 hr
0 mi awayRoad's EndTrailhead at the canyon’s end for Mist Falls and Rae LakesTrailhead · Restroom
0.1 mi awayKanawyer Mine SiteQuiet historic mine tucked off the flat Kanawyer Loop
0.2 mi awayMuir RockGranite riverside perch where Muir praised a grander valleyParking · Restroom
0.2 mi awayRoad's End Permit StationCedar Grove’s launchpad for permits and big Sierra trailheadsRanger Station · Trailhead
