MTB Project Logo

A great one hour ride with lots of flats, climbs, and fast descents.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

13.5

Miles

21.7

KM

0%

Singletrack

1,069' 326 m

High

369' 112 m

Low

1,176' 359 m

Up

1,194' 364 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

31%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

No riding allowed during rainy weather.

Overview

Wildcat Canyon Loop combines trails from the Tilden and Wildcat Canyon Regional Park systems to create a dynamic ride that includes fast descents and some serious climbs. Begin the ride from the staging area at Lone Oak Road in Tilden Park. Parking is always free, and the staging area has bathrooms and water. From there, riders wanting to test their climbing legs with grades up to 30%, should ride the loop clockwise, following the Loop Road Trail to the Wildcat Creek Trail, up Belgum Trail over the rolling hillsides, and south on the Bay Ridge Trail.

For those of you looking to get a good ride in with less climbing and more descents, reverse the directions described below head counter-clockwise from the staging area up Meadows Canyon Trail. You'll start out with a climb, but after that, it's nearly all flat and downhill from there. Enjoy!

Need to Know

Parking is always available at the staging area. Weekends can be crowded on the popular trails, but this loops guides you to some of the most underused areas of both parks. No food, so pack it in. Water is available at many crossing points.

Description

From the staging area, head North on Loop Road trail, which then turns into Wildcat Creek Trail. Follow Wildcat for approximately four miles. Towards the end of Wildcat Creek Trail it becomes pavement. Keep an eye out for the Belgum Trail sign, then take a right.

Belgum Trail, traversed in the clockwise direction, is an intense climb that will bust even the best riders legs. Just when you're hoping the climb has ended, take a right up the steepest portion of the loop to tackle the San Pablo Ridge Trail. The San Pablo eventually becomes the Nimitz Way Trail. After a few miles, Nimitz becomes a paved pedestrian/bike path and turns into the Bay Area Ridge Trail. As you get closer to Inspiration Point, pedestrian traffic picks up -- please call out and pass with care.

Once at Inspiration Point, you can fill up for water, use the restrooms, and begin the final descent. Take a sharp right from the bathrooms down Curran
Trail. Travel Curran for about 200 yards and then take another sharp right down Meadows Canyon Trail. Meadows Canyon is a beautiful and fast descent, but keep an eye out, as this is a popular dog walking trail. Once at the bottom, you'll be back at the staging area.

Contacts

Shared By:

Christopher Bazil

Trail Ratings

  3.3 from 33 votes

#1118

Overall
  3.3 from 33 votes
5 Star
15%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
27%
2 Star
18%
1 Star
6%
Recommended Route Rankings

#178

in California

#1,118

Overall
80 Views Last Month
20,113 Since Sep 5, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

4%
7%
81%
0%
7%
0%

Photos

Golden Gate Bridge as seen from the Wildcat Canyon Loop
Sep 5, 2015 near East Ri…, CA
View after a short climb up the Belgium Trail
Sep 5, 2015 near East Ri…, CA
Cross through the cattle guard on the Belgium Trail
Sep 5, 2015 near East Ri…, CA
If it's super muddy, don't pick the middle line!!
Feb 3, 2020 near Kensington, CA
Last major climb on the San Pablo Ridge Trail!
Sep 5, 2015 near East Ri…, CA
Wildcat Canyon.
Feb 12, 2018 near East Ri…, CA
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 1 day ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.