Anthony Chabot to Kennedy Grove (28.5 mi, 4700' elevation gain)
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This is an amazing route along one of the longest continuous sections of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, from Anthony Chabot Regional Park in San Leandro to Kennedy Grove Regional Park in San Pablo. The Bay Area Ridge Trail is a planned 550-mile continuous loop around the entire Bay Area. As of 2014, over 340 miles of the Bay Area Ridge Trail are open for use.
The 28.5-mile section described here trail passes through seven diverse East Bay parks and several sections of EBMUD trails. Even though the parks are located only minutes from the urban areas of the East Bay, the trails feel remote and the scenery is quite spectacular. The route passes through the following parks:
The route is point-to-point, which means that you will need to arrange a drop-off at Anthony Chabot or a pick-up at Kennedy Grove. Directions to the start and end of the route are available in The Dirt section below. |
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The route consists of approximately 30% singletrack, 60% fire roads, and 10% paved trail. Over half of the route is wooded and shaded. Along the way, you will have excellent views of the Bay Area, Mount Diablo, the Berkeley Hills, and several reservoirs. Even though this route is long and difficult, it can be done as a self-supported run. There are four water stops along the route, and even though many of the trails feel remote, you are never more than a few miles from a main road. However, do not underestimate the elevation gain along this route! There is over 4700 feet of climbing with some very steep sections, and the exposed parts can be quite hot in the summer. But, the reward is well worth the effort!
Bay Area Ridge Trail marker
Important Note! While most of the trail junctions are marked with the Bay Area Ridge Trail marker (see image), not all of the trails are marked! So it is very important to bring a map or download the GPX track and confirm you are on the correct trail. It is easy to get lost on this run!
The run starts from the Willow Park Public Golf Course parking area at the southern end of Anthony Chabot Regional Park. When you enter the parking lot, keep driving and park at the far end of the lot. To begin the run, start heading up the well-marked Brandon Trail, which begins climbing immediately.
The Dirt:
The run starts from the Willow Park Public Golf Course parking area at the southern end of Anthony Chabot Regional Park. When you enter the parking lot, keep driving and park at the far end of the lot. To begin the run, start heading up the well-marked Brandon Trail, which begins climbing immediately.
The Dirt:
- Download a printable 5-page trail map of the route.
- Download a GPX track of the route.
- Click here for driving directions to the start of the run (Willow Park Golf Course)
- Click here for driving directions to the end of the run (Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area)
- Scroll to the bottom of the page for a slide show of the route!
- This route passes through areas in which no dogs are allowed.
The Run:
- 0.0 mi: From the Willow Park Golf Course parking lot, start up the Brandon Trail. You will stay on the Brandon Trail for the next 4.7 miles.
- 1.6 mi: At the Marciel Road parking lot and the high point of the first climb! Cross the road and continue on the Brandon Trail.
- 4.7 mi: After a half-mile descent, you will reach the Stone Bridge. Just before the bridge, veer right onto the Grass Valley Trail.
- 6.2 mi: Just after the gate you will intersect a paved road. Turn right and climb up the road for 500', then turn left into the dirt parking lot for the Bort Meadow Staging Area. Head through the parking lot and get onto the MacDonald Trail. This is the start of the second big climb.
- 8.0 mi: Intersection with Parkridge Trail and the high point of the second climb. Continue straight ahead on the MacDonald Trail to descend to the MacDonald Staging Area.
- 9.0 mi: At the MacDonald Staging Area. To your left you should see a narrow singletrack that parallels Redwood Road. Get on this singletrack and follow it until it crosses Redwood Road.
- 9.2 mi: Cross Redwood Road to enter Redwood Regional Park. This is the beginning of the third big climb! After about 500 feet, turn right onto Golden Spike Trail.
- 10.3 mi: Turn left onto West Ridge Trail. The next mile is very steep! You will follow the West Ridge Trail for the next 4 miles.
- 12.7 mi: (Water available) At the Redwood Bowl picnic area and the high point of the third climb. Get water if needed then continue on the West Ridge Trail.
- 12.9 mi: Cross a paved road, then pass the Chabot Space and Science Center, then cross another paved road to continue on the West Ridge Trail.
- 14.6 mi: (Water available) At the Skyline Gate Staging Area. Get water if needed, then continue onto the East Ridge Trail. Keep an eye out on your left for the Bay Area Ridge Trail.
- 14.7 mi: Turn left onto the Bay Area Ridge Trail/Skyline Trail (singletrack), heading toward Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve.
- 15.1 mi: Cross Pinehurst Road to enter Huckleberry Preserve.
- 15.3 mi: Veer right to stay on the Bay Area Ridge Trail/Skyline Trail.
- 16.2 mi: This is confusing! Take a hard right turn and descend to a creek. Then turn left, cross the creek and start climbing. This is the beginning of the fourth hard climb. This climb is very steep at first and then becomes more gradual. Follow the Bay Area Ridge Trail/Skyline Trail all of the way to the Sibley Staging Area.
- 17.5 mi: (Water available) At the Sibley Staging Area. Fill up with water if needed, then continue on the well-marked Bay Area Ridge Trail/Skyline Trail towards Tilden Park. You will descend for a bit and then start the fifth hard climb.
- 18.3 mi: At the Old Tunnel Road Staging Area. Run along the right side of the road and then veer right to continue on the Bay Area Ridge Trail/Skyline Trail. You will soon cross over Highway 24 and the Caldecott Tunnel.
- 19.4 mi: Cross Fish Ranch Road. Continue on the Bay Area Ridge Trail/Skyline Trail.
- 20.5 mi: Cross a dirt road, then turn left at the De La Veaga Trail junction to stay on the Bay Area Ridge Trail/Skyline Trail.
- 20.8 mi: (Water Available) This is confusing! Just past the metal gate, cross Lomas Contadas Road and continue onto the paved Seaview Trail Road into Tilden Regional Park. Veer left through the Steam Trains parking lot to the bathrooms to fill up with water. Then head back up to the Seaview Trail Road heading toward Vollmer Peak Trail. You will pass through another parking area, then continue onto the Vollmer Peak Trail. Then stay right at the fork to continue on the Bay Area Ridge Trail/Skyline Trail.
- 21.4 mi: Continue onto Lupine Trail, then turn right onto the Arroyo Trail and follow it up to the Seaview Trail (fire road). At 1720', this is the high point of the run and top of the fifth and last hard climb! Turn left on the Seaview Trail and follow it for the next 2 miles. This trail follows the ridge and then descends to Wildcat Canyon Road.
- 23.6 mi: Cross over Wildcat Canyon Road and continue on the Seaview Trail, then veer right onto Meadows Canyon Trail to head up to Inspiration Point.
- 23.9 mi: At Inspiration Point! Turn left onto the paved Nimitz Way. This road was constructed in the 1950's to access a Nike missile base located in the present-day Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Stay on Nimitz Way all of the way to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park.
- 26.1 mi: Boundary of Wildcat Canyon Regional Park,and intersection with Conlon Trail on your left. On your right is the site of the former Nike missile launch site. Continue on the paved Nimitz Way for another 0.4 miles.
- 26.5 mi: On your right you will see a gate leading to EBMUD land. Head through this gate onto the Eagle's Nest Trail. Veer left at the next fork to descend to San Pablo Dam Road.
- 27.3 mi: Head through the metal gate and cross over San Pablo Dam Road. Pick up the singletrack on the other side of the road which will switchback down to the Old San Pablo Dam Road. Turn left on Old San Pablo Dam Road and follow it along the side of the reservoir. It will eventually turn into a dirt road.
- 28.0 mi: Head past the dam and veer right onto the dirt trail toward Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area.
- 28.3 mi: Cross over the paved road and continue straight ahead onto the singletrack. This trail will take you across a creek and then up to the Kennedy Grove parking area.
- 28.5 mi: At the Kennedy Grove parking area! End of your epic run!!
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