Hiking is considered a year-round endeavor here in the East Bay. Now that trails have reopened post pandemic closure and the sun is bringing in a bit more warmth, it’s a great time to get outdoors, explore some new spots, or revisit old favorites.

 

The East Bay Regional Park District offers 1,250 miles of trails winding through 73 parks, so it’s not surprising if you are questioning where to begin. We’ve put together a short list of some of our favorites to help get you started, but be sure to visit the East Bay Regional Park District site to discover your own!

 

Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve is located in Oakland off of Skyline Boulevard. Ten million years ago a volcanic explosion led to the creation of Round Top, the area’s most visible peak at 1,763 feet. This nature preserve and geological wonder is accessible to both beginners and more experienced hikers and is considered an easy trail to enjoy as you walk amongst the volcanic rock. While you’re there, be sure to take the Round Top Loop Trail to soak in 360-degree views of the Bay.

 

Tucked in the Berkeley Hills, Huckleberry Preserve’s shaded trails reveal an unusual and rare plant community which blossoms year round. Visit the Huckleberry Staging Area to hike the 1.7-mile single-track Huckleberry Interpretive Loop Trail. If you’re a fan of geology, you’ll appreciate the layers of shale that cover the park, originally created miles under the ocean and brought to the surface via historical tectonic plate movement.

 

The East Bay’s largest grove of redwoods - 1,830 acres - can be found along the trails of Redwood Regional Park, which is a short drive from downtown Oakland. Though some of the trees are 150 feet tall, they are actually relatively young. The original redwoods were logged extensively in the 19th century during a building boom and again after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Beginning at the Canyon Meadow Staging Area, the Stream Trail is a wonderful, level hike for admiring this beautiful forest which is home to a large number of wildlife.

 

One of the area’s most popular parks, Tilden has much to offer its visitors. From the beloved steam train and carousel to the Little Farm, local families love to visit on a regular basis. Tilden also offers over ten miles of hiking trails, everything from a leisurely stroll to vigorous climbs. If wildlife is what you’re looking for, the Jewel Lake Nature Trail is a popular one. Enter off of either Wildcat Canyon Road or Grizzly Peak Boulevard, but be sure to go online before planning to attend one of the destinations mentioned above. Due to Covid, reservations may be required.

 

Wildcat Canyon extends from Tilden’s Nature Area above the Berkeley Hills all the way to the north end of Richmond. From the main trailhead, all hikes involve a climb to the ridgeline (1,000 feet up), but it’s worth it if you’re physically up for the challenge. It’s recommended that if you go, ascend to the ridgeline via the Havey Canyon or Mezue trails. Depending on the time of year you may be greeted by carpets of wildflowers across the park’s 2,789 acres and 25 miles of trails.

 

Sitting on the southeastern shore of the Bay, Coyote Hills heads into the low, rolling hills and delivers beautiful views. This is a good destination for gentle, flat hikes (in fact, Bayview Trail is paved). There’s plenty of wildlife to admire here: Boardwalk Trail zigzags through a reed-filled marsh lively with shorebirds, and the native plant nectar garden next to the Visitor Center has been cultivated for butterflies.

 

For more adventurous hikers, a dawn hike to the summit of Mission Peak, a mountain east of Fremont, offers a gorgeous sunrise above a blanket of morning fog. The 6-mile round trip hike is strenuous - it climbs over 2,000 feet - but you’ll be rewarded with a stunning panoramic view which can stretch all the way to the Sierra Nevadas. Start at the Stanford Avenue parking lot and make sure to bring sunscreen and plenty of water.

 

Wooded canyons, scenic grasslands, dramatic rock formations, and superb views - the varied terrain of this beautiful 6,849-acre park has something for everyone. Trails range in difficulty, but many begin in a valley, so hikers should expect some uphills. Flag Hill Trail is grueling but delivers a magnificent view, but Camp Ohlone Trail is gentler: it leads to Little Yosemite, a pretty gorge on Alameda Creek that features numerous small waterfalls after the rain.

 

Explore the entire Inner East Bay and reach out with your favorite hiking destinations.