How to trek the East Bay Skyline Trail

Stretching from Richmond to Castro Valley, the nearly 60-year-old East Bay Skyline Trail covers over 30 miles of some of the most gorgeous landscapes in the Bay Area, traversing ridgeline views of the Bay, ancient volcanoes, prolific native wildflowers, gurgling creeks and redwood groves. And it’s all remarkably easy to get to.

There are a few different ways to tackle this route. Sure, you can do it in a day if you’re a glutton for pain or out to prove your fitness. And if you’re a hardcore day hiker or trail runner, it can be an incredibly satisfying way to experience the trail’s diverse ecosystems in one go. But at 32.9 miles, with 5,725 feet of elevation gain, breaking it into chunks will make the most sense for most people.

It can also be done as a two-day backpacking journey, but that too requires covering a lot of ground on foot each day. The one campground along the way is at the Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve backpacking camp. It’s a primitive hike-in site for up to 15 people, about a 0.2-mile hike from the park’s entrance and about 14 miles into the southbound hike. Reservations are required and must be made 48 hours in advance by phone.

But taking the trail even just a few miles at a time, a free hour or two at a time, can be a wonderful escape.

“It’s really going to take you away from the hustle and bustle of the more urban settings,” according to East Bay Parks Unit Manager Bridget Calvey, who oversees a number of the parks the trail passes through.

The team at East Bay Parks has broken the trail down into seven recommended segments, north to south, each offering something different and special.

“For folks who are hiking on it, even if they’re only able to do a part of it — it’s going to be an awesome treat,” Calvey said.

Alvarado to Inspiration Point, 7.1 miles

Start at the Alvarado Area entrance to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park — a historic site once home to an opulent sanitarium and roller skating rink. The trail starts climbing, and as you go, you’ll see signs for the East Bay Skyline Trail. The logo highlights the trail’s status as a National Recreation Trail, one of almost 1,300 such trails around the U.S. This one was dedicated in 1968 through the National Trails System Act. It shows red, white and blue “USA” lettering, with the “S” doubling as a little path winding upward toward the horizon.

This stretch of the trail involves a lengthy climb up to the ridge along Wildcat Canyon before the trail levels out a bit. (Don’t make the mistake this reporter did and step lightly into what looked like a shallow puddle, only to sink a full foot down into muck of unknown provenance. The mud dried and made the hiking shoes feel heavier than they needed to be.)

On flatter turf, it’s easier to notice the abundant wildflowers and smile at fellow hikers (or resting cows) as you breeze through the four miles of pavement marking this stretch of the trail.

You’ll eventually cross into Tilden Regional Park, where Inspiration Point awaits.

Inspiration Point to Lomas Cantadas, 3 miles

Here, you’ll get to experience the “skyline” part of the East Bay Skyline Trail. On a clear day, you can see across the Bay to San Francisco, and out eastward toward Mt. Diablo. Consider making stops at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden, notable for its especially large collection of California manzanita and native plants, Overlook for a Grizzly Burger or beer near the golf course, or Tilden Park’s famous Steam Trains toward the end point of the trail — an attraction worth a detour for those with youngsters in tow.

Lomas Cantadas to Sibley Preserve, 3.4 miles

Cross over the Caldecott Tunnel on East Bay Municipal Utility District land, following an old wagon road to the Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve.

Note: There is currently a section of the trail that’s closed between Fish Ranch Road and the Old Tunnel Road Staging Area due to storm damage. It’s scheduled for fixing this year, but it’s not yet clear when it will be repaired, according to Calvey.

Sibley Preserve to Skyline Gate, 2.9 miles

This section passes through the Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve and the Huckleberry Regional Preserve, home to the remains of an ancient volcano, and territory for a number of native plants not found elsewhere in the Bay Area, respectively. Note: Bikes are not permitted here, so plan accordingly.

As far as wildlife goes, keep an eye out for coyotes as you hike — it’s currently pupping season — and potentially rattlesnakes, although they’re less likely to be found in this area of the East Bay Parks system, according to Calvey. Birdwatchers should keep their eyes peeled for hawks, kestrels and wild turkeys. Deer and fence lizards can also often be seen, she adds.

Skyline Gate to MacDonald Gate, 5 miles

This portion brings hikers deep into the lush redwood forests amid the East Bay hills. You can take either the West Ridge Trail or the French Trail here — you can’t go wrong. Enjoy the shade, ferns and fresh foresty scent; keep an eye out for rugged tree roots and steep ups and downs.

MacDonald Gate to Bort Meadow, 2.8 miles

As you continue southward, the forest transitions into a grassier landscape. Look for trees like willows, oaks and madrones. The trail coasts downward through Anthony Chabot Regional Park past the San Leandro Reservoir as you approach Lake Chabot.

Bort Meadow to Proctor Gate, 6.6 miles

This last section through Anthony Chabot Regional Park feels long, but the second half of it involves a gradual descent, and the trails offer solitude and softer dirt paths. You know you’re approaching the end when you see the Redwood Canyon Golf Course, a lush patch of vivid green on the horizon. Once you finish your hike, consider migrating to the nearby Lake Chabot Regional Park, where you can fish, kayak or bring a picnic.

For more information and location coordinates, access EBParks’ guide to the trail at ebparks.org.