The trail carries alongside and over beautiful pebble beaches, waterfalls, suspension bridges, and the occasional pit of mud.It is a challenging hike that rewards those willing to tackle it with incredible scenery and a sure-to-be unforgettable adventure. Sunol has plenty of trail mileage, but things are a bit more limited for bikes when you're left with only the fire roads as the legitimate options. Fees: $5 Seasonal, weekends and holidays, $4 per trailered vehicle, $2 per dog. If you want to hike the trail in 2 days you’d hike Section 1 & 2 on Day 1 then Section 3 … If you are lucky enough, you might be able to see the herd of Tule Elks wandering somewhere near the reservoir. What magic is bestowed on this wonder of a place! Click for: Pleasanton Parks & Trails web page Trails and Bike Paths Map: Iron Horse Trail: Hike, Bike, Horse: Dublin, San Ramon, Danville, through town: 12.69 mile trail between Dublin and Concord on the Southern Pacific right of way that was abandoned in 1977. Cross Alameda Creek and consult the map (if necessary) at the junction. Image of recreation, forest, hilly - 135816909 Turn left and follow this road (You might see western pond turtles at High Valley Pond on your right) until you reach High Valley Road, just past a large barn. Guide/service dogs free. #6 - Camp Ohlone Road to Little Yosemite, Geary Road, Backpack Road, McCorkle. This is a great overview day-hike of one of the best East Bay parks, Sunol Wilderness. A great way to see the East Bay hills; nature abounds just minutes from civilization Best time to go: Springtime when the hills are green and the wildflowers are blooming. Take the first left onto McCorkle Trail, make a right after the cattle gate, and continue for .6 miles. Turn right at the exit onto Calaveras Road and proceed about four miles to a left turn onto Geary Road, which leads directly into the park. You'll also find some great local park options, like Almaden Quicksilver County Park or Huddart Park. At its higher reaches, the park features large outcroppings of rocks that offer a glimpse into its marine origins. Here, at Flag Hill, nearly 1,400 feet high, is the pinnacle of this loop, where you’ll tower above the valley below and enjoy sweeping views of the region. The Sunol Regional Wilderness is a regional park in Alameda County, the eastern San Francisco Bay Area, Northern California. Make a left onto Indian Joe Nature Trail and follow it up a short hill and across the streambed. OR. The trail begins in Fremont and ends in Sunol. Open 8am to Sunset (varies seasonally), #9 - McCorkle Trail, Indian Joe Creek Trail, Cave Rocks Road, Vista Grande Road, and Cerro Este Road Loop, This trail takes you across rolling hills, through scattered oak woodlands, and through scenic valleys dotted with wildflowers in spring. The jaw-dropping vista points make for great photos ops, but be sure to bring water because you will break a sweat hiking up the hills. Guide/service dogs free. $2/dog; guide/service dogs free. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. The Pleasanton Ridge Trail is a great Bay Area day trip, located in Sunol. Both have very scenic views and you might get to see some cows grazing right next to you. A couple more cars can park at 1.5 miles where Flag Hill road starts. Categories . This hike is my favorite because of the quiet, open space, rolling hills, expansive skies, distant views that go on forever, and dogs are allowed. After passing the entrance kiosk, follow the road to the last parking lot. OR. One of the best hikes in Yosemite National Park, this trail provides close-up views of Yosemite's most spectacular waterfall, as well as panoramic vistas of the valley floor.The trail includes two parts. Continue uphill for another .25 miles and make a left on Cave Rocks Road. For the featured hike, start at the edge of the parking area, and walk a few feet to a footbridge. Winter and spring are the best times to go. Standing tall at 10,064ft, Mt. bass1201 wrote: Maggie's half acre is the best campsite if you're going to the peak. Follow to the ridgetop and at the stone sign monument, bear right to enjoy the sweeping views from Flag Hill. This is one of the longest approaches to the Mission Peak summit and arguably the best. Under the East Bay Regional Park District’s multi-use land management policy, cattle continue to graze in the 6,859-acre wilderness. Intermediate. I recommend this hike in the spring, when the hills are verdant and temps are manageable, but summer/fall is doable with proper hydration/sun protection and winter with an extra layer. There are camping options available as well. This easy hike provides great solitude and nice views on San Antonio Reservoir for hikers. Higher up it meanders through grasslands and seasonal wild flower blooms. It is just to the North of the peak and is halfway between Del Valle and Sunol. These 15 Hiking Spots In Northern California are Completely Out Of This World. #4 - Camp Ohlone Road to Little Yosemite, Geary Road, Backpack Road, McCorkle. There are many trails that lead up through the hills, with great vistas and wonderful oak trees. With both sections combined, the Yosemite Falls Trail is a nine-mile round-trip hike. Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Sunol, CA - BringFido The Old Green Barn Visitor Center offers naturalist-led programs that bring to life the history of the park or interpret its natural features. Trail Directions: From the Visitor Center, cross the footbridge over Alameda Creek and turn right towards Indian Joe Nature Trail and Canyon View Trails. The California Riding and Hiking Trail is the premier backpacking route in Joshua Tree National Park, stringing together lonely cacti and pinyon landscapes with iconic Joshua trees, incredible desert overlooks, and rock formations that defy Newton's Law.Backpackers can thru-hike this trail in three days or choose from several accessible trailheads for shorter dayhike or overnight options. Dogs are permitted. Today, camping, picnicking, hiking … Menu & Reservations ... Our CO-VID non-hike drive through the park was perfect to pass time during this pandemic. Add a Symbol . Hiking the Ohlone Trail requires a permit/map ($2, available from the Sunol headquarters). It gets a bit too hot in July and August, but early autumn is a great time to see randy tarantulas on the hunt for mates (oddly enough, a spider the size of your fist in the wilderness is not nearly as frightful as the one the size of a dime in your bathroom). Looking for a great trail in Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve, California? Sunol Regional Park has fantastic trails and the Little Yosemite Falls are worth the hike. The trail is well marked with trail posts along the way. Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park is an often overlooked getaway from the seemingly never-ending suburbs that fringe the San Francisco Bay Area. A few are open to equestrians and hikers only, and a handful are hiking only. There are two parts to the park. There is little water available in the park beyond the Visitor Center; be sure to bring adequate supplies with you on the trail. Turn left on Indian Joe Creek Trail. The trail starts at the 1.28-mile marker on Welch Road (5 to 6 cars can park there). #1 - Canyon View Trail to Little Yosemite. Go to: Map Search. The trail slowly winds down into the valley with a few narrow, rocky and exposed spots. Visited the Sunol park and chose to visit the Little Yosemite Trail. Trails.com member Di M. recently completed Shady Glen Trail. As you get deeper into the Sunol Regional Wilderness, don’t be surprised if you see some cattle making themselves comfortable on the trail. Find the best trails with our California hiking guide! This back-door route to Mission Peak is a wilder, quieter alternative to more popular trails. Now, I've never been to actual Yosemite National Park, but if it's as beautiful as Sunol - And I know it must be much more - then I think I should pack up and go tomorrow. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Lincoln Hill Pathway and NWP Railroad Trail. Winter and spring are the best times to go. Hiking the Ohlone Trail requires a permit/map ($2, available from the Sunol headquarters). valley along Indian Joe Creek. Officially you need a permit ($2 for one year) and parking ticket but when I arrived at 8:30 am on a Saturday noone was asking at the entrance or on the trail. You’ve come to the right place! Turn left on Indian Joe Creek Trail. It hits several of the park's highlights and traverses two halves of the park that have distinct personalities. A couple more cars can park at 1.5 miles where Flag Hill road starts. Particularly Special Place. With grueling climbs and stunning descents, there is never a dull moment on this trail. Turn right on Ohlone Road and contune continue for .85 miles to return to the parking lot. Turn left on Indian Joe Creek Trail, passing through a small cattle gate. Finally, make a right onto the footbridge over Alameda Creek, where you began, and return to the parking lot. Open 8am to Sunset (varies seasonally), Camp Ohlone Road to Little Yosemite, Geary Road, Backpack Road, McCorkle, Indian Joe Nature, Indian Joe Creek, Cave Rocks Road, High Valley Road, Flag Hill Road, Flag Hill Trails. Sunol CA 94586. They are good for one year after the date of purchase. The loop is shared by dog walkers, trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. There are no easy paths to the tall hills surrounding the HQ, but if you've got the legs and heart for a good work-out, you'll find astounding vistas when your climbing is done. Share a Photo . Explore hiking trails around Menlo Park, California. These trails range from 0 to 19.4 miles in length. This trail takes you directly to Little Yosemite. Best Trails in Hiking United States California Sunol. Click on a hiking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews. Continue on Cave Rocks Road, make a right on Vista Grande Trail, and follow to the ridgetop. The park has some well-maintained short hiking loops, as well as the 30-mile-long Ohlone Wilderness Regional Trail, which connects with Mission Peak to the west and Del Valle to the east. Regional Preserve near Fremont has a nature Center and is halfway between Del Valle Regional park District multi-use. Near the town of Sunol Regional Wilderness, Maguire Peak is one of the trail winds. 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