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Steep climbs to ridgetop views through shaded canyons on fire roads and narrow doubletrack.


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Map Key

8.2

Miles

13.2

KM

0%

Singletrack

1,617' 493 m

High

974' 297 m

Low

1,507' 459 m

Up

1,507' 459 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

34%

Max Grade (19°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

A sampling of the less-crowded trails south of Inspiration Point and Wildcat Canyon Road with spectacular views of San Francisco Bay from a section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Dropping down from the ridge, the fire roads narrow to doubletrack trails through shady redwoods with some trail sections overgrown to practically singletrack. This ride starts from Inspiration Point but alternate trailhead parking areas are shown.

Description

From Inspiration Point parking area, head south on the Curran Trail, which parallels Wildcat Canyon Road, as it descends steeply to the junction with the Seaview Trail. Meadows Canyon Trail will branch to the right and Seaview Trail to the left. This short section of the Seaview Trail is singletrack to Wildcat Canyon Road.

Cross the road to continue on the Seaview Trail, which is a fire road at this point, climbing steadily to the junction with the Quarry Trail. Continue on Seaview as it turns east past the junction with the Lower Big Springs Trail. The trail climbs gradually and is shaded in the lower section but becomes steeper, rockier and more exposed as it approaches the ridgetop viewpoint. Some sections are very steep.

There's a rest bench at the high point with breathtaking views over the Bay. It's a short descent to the junction with the Upper Big Springs Trail which continues the descent over a rocky, rutted fire road all the way to South Park Drive.

Follow the paved South Park Drive southeast to the Elder picnic site and start of the Golf Course Trail heading west. The Redwood Trail branches to the left in about 0.3 mi. This is a shady doubletrack with a small redwood grove that ends at a parking area on paved Golf Course Road.

Turn right, north, on this road to the junction with Golf Course Trail heading east to the Tower Trail, a short but rocky and steep connector trail, which joins the Gillespie Camp Trail connector returning to South Park Drive. Directly across the road is the start of the Vollmer Peak Trail, a fun doubletrack trail that narrows to singletrack in several sections.

A little further on South Park Drive, catch the start of the Quarry Trail for the return to Inspiration Point. There's a junction part way with the Lower Big Springs Trail which connects to the Seaview Trail or continue on Quarry as in turns west then north (steeply) back to Seaview.

History & Background

Tilden Park was one of the original East Bay Regional Parks established in 1936. A favorite Bay Area weekend destination with its Lake Anza swimming hole, merry-go-round and steam trains.

Contacts

Shared By:

Bob Gardner

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 15 votes

#2399

Overall
  3.7 from 15 votes
5 Star
7%
4 Star
60%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#286

in California

#2,399

Overall
19 Views Last Month
7,359 Since Apr 7, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

If it's super muddy, don't pick the middle line!!
Feb 3, 2020 near Kensington, CA
View from the top
Dec 11, 2017 near Berkeley, CA
Narrow section of Vollmer Peak Trail.
Apr 16, 2016 near Orinda, CA
Seaview Trail view.
Apr 16, 2016 near Berkeley, CA
Looking north from Redwood Trail over Wildcat Canyon.
Apr 16, 2016 near Berkeley, CA

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Aug 27, 2023
Adrian Nowak
Sep 18, 2020
Andrew Scott
1h 00m
Aug 17, 2020
Jeff Tiki
Mar 14, 2020
Aidan Leonard
May 19, 2019
Cos B
Jan 31, 2019
Steve Webb
Muddy! 23.1mi
Nov 4, 2018
Don M Mackey
Aug 19, 2018
Bryson G
8.5mi
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