TrailStompers.com: San Francisco Bay Area Trail Running

Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park is set up in the hills between Sunol and Pleasanton.  It is a beautiful park, only minutes from I-680.  The trails along the ridge (about 1500' elevation) offer expansive views of the Pleasanton area.  But, drop down into the valley on the far side of the ridge (Kilkare Canyon) and you'll feel like you are in the middle of the wilderness.  The park is rarely crowded, even on the weekends.  Most of the trails in the park are fire roads, with the exceptions of the Woodland Trail, the Bay Leaf Trail, and a few side trails.  This is a great place to come in the winter, as the trails are not too muddy after a rain.  The weather can be quite hot in the summer, so wear your hat and sunscreen!  Luckily, drinking water is available multiple places in the park.  This makes Pleasanton Ridge a great place to do a self-supported longer run of 20+ miles.  Using the trail map you can plan a route with water at least every 5-6 miles!

The Dirt:

• For the official website with trail map click here.
• For a printable PDF trail map click here.  (Note: there are usually trail maps available at the parking lot.)
• For driving directions to the main parking lot via Google Maps click here.

Extras:

• As with many East Bay Parks, there is drinking water available at multiple locations within the park.  Refer to the trail map for locations.
  

This run takes you on a tour of the highest and lowest areas of the park.  Highlights include: the view of the Pleasanton/Livermore valleys from the high points along the Ridgeline Trail, the solitude along Sinbad Creek, and the long gradual downhills along the Thermalito trail with views of the Kilkare Canyon.  This run starts from the main parking lot along Foothill Road.  Note: In the winter, Sinbad Creek can be full of water so expect a creek crossing with up to 1-foot of water.

• 0.0 mi: (Marker #1)  Start heading up Oak Tree Trail from the parking lot.
• 0.2 mi: (Marker #2)  Turn left onto Woodland Trail.  You will follow this trail all of the way up to the ridge.
• 1.0 mi: (Marker #5)  Turn left briefly back onto Oak Tree Trail, then at Marker #5 continue straight onto Ridgeline Trail.  You will follow Ridgeline Trail for the next 3.3 miles as it runs North along the ridge.  Expect some great views!
  
• 1.3 mi: (Marker #10)  Veer right to stay on Ridgeline Trail.  (There will be drinking water in a bit.)  Over the next mile you will pass a few more trail junctions on the left side, but always stay to your right on the Ridgeline Trail.
• 3.8 mi: (Marker #21)  Ridgeline Trail splits.  Take whichever you want as they join a half-mile later.  Note: The trail to the left is more challenging and goes up to the park's high point at 1629 feet!
  
• 4.4 mi: (Marker #22)  Turn left onto Sinbad Creek Trail and descend into Kilkare Canyon.  You will cross the creek near the bottom.
• 5.2 mi: (Marker #23)  Turn right just after crossing the creek to continue on Sinbad Creek Trail. 
  
• 6.1 mi: (Marker #24)  Turn right onto Bay Leaf Trail and begin the gradual climb back up to the ridge.
  
• 6.2 mi: (Marker #25)  Stay on the fire road to the right. 
• 7.0 mi: (Marker #26)  Veer right back onto the Ridgeline Trail.
• 7.4 mi: (Marker #22)  Stay left onto Ridgeline Trail.  You will retrace your steps along the Ridgeline Trail back to the junction with the Thermalito Trail.
• 8.6 mi: Turn right onto Thermalito Trail.  You will soon pass Marker #20 and drinking water.  Follow the Thermalito Trail for the next 1.8 miles.
• 10.4 mi: (Marker #13)  Veer left toward Olive Grove Trail.
• 10.5 mi: (Marker #12)  Veer right onto Olive Grove Trail.
• 10.6 mi: (Marker #11)  Veer left toward Ridgeline Trail.
• 10.7 mi: (Marker #10)  Veer right onto Ridgeline Trail.  You will now retrace your steps back to the main parking area.
• 11.0 mi: (Marker #5)  Start down the hill then turn right onto Woodland Trail.
• 11.9 mi: (Marker #2)  Turn right onto Oak Tree Trail.
• 12.0 mi: Back at your car!