Trailstompers Guide to SF Bay Area Trail Running
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Redwood Regional Park

Picture
What? A real redwood forest in the Oakland hills? Believe it or not, it's true. Nestled in the hills just above the city of Oakland is the 1,830-acre Redwood Regional Park. The peaceful redwood groves that exist today give little evidence of the park's bustling past. In the mid-1800's the area was the scene of extensive logging to supply building materials for the San Francisco Bay Area. The logging era has long since passed, and a stately forest of 150-foot coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) has replaced those that were cut down. This forest in Redwood Regional Park is the largest remaining natural stand of coast redwood found in the East Bay.

The park features a mix of fire roads and singletrack with moderate climbs and great options for trail running or hiking. In addition, the park is bordered by Anthony Chabot Regional Park to the south, Huckleberry Regional Preserve to the north, and EBMUD lands to the east, offering the possibility of longer multi-park runs. In addition, drinking water is available at several locations within the park (refer to the trail map for locations). The elevations in the park range from about 500' at the park entrance to over 1600' at Redwood Peak. The topography of the park is like a hot-dog bun, for lack of a better analogy, with a deep valley running north-south between two ridges that are aptly named East Ridge and West Ridge.

PictureEucalyptus on the West Ridge Trail
There are many trailheads that offer access to Redwood Regional Park. Two popular access points are the Skyline Gate Staging Area on Skyline Blvd and the Canyon Meadow Staging Area off of Redwood Road. In addition, access is available via the 1.7-mile long Redwood Trail from the Valle Vista Staging Area near Moraga. Use of this trail requires a permit from EBMUD. The Favorite Runs on this page start from the Canyon Meadow Staging Area.

The Dirt:
  • Click here to download a printable trail map of the Favorite Runs below!
  • Click here for the official park website.
  • Click here for directions to the Canyon Meadow Staging Area via Google Maps. Note that there is a parking fee.
  • Dogs are allowed, and may be off-leash away from trailheads, parking lots, and areas marked as on-leash only.  Refer to the East Bay Regional Park page on Dogs for more information.

Extras:
  • There is drinking water is available at several locations. Refer to the trail map for locations.
  • The park also offers picnic and camping sites. Refer to the webpage for reservation information.


Favorite Run #1: Stream/East Ridge Loop (6.2 mi, 800' elevation gain) ​🐾

This route takes you up the Stream Trail, which gradually climbs along Redwood Creek through the dense redwood forest and then climbs more steeply to the Skyline Gate Staging Area. You then run along the rolling East Ridge Trail which has stunning views of the East Bay hills, reservoirs, and redwood forest below. The run ends with a steep descent back to your car.

The run starts from the Canyon Meadow Staging Area. After paying the fee at the entrance kiosk, continue driving along the paved road and park in the last parking lot. From the parking lot, run north on the Stream Trail through the play area.

GPX Track

Printable Trail Map

Driving Directions
Route Details:
  • 0.0 mi: From the Canyon Meadow Staging Area, run north on the Stream Trail through the play area. Over the next 2.8 miles you will pass several trail junctions and cross the stream several times, but continue following the Stream Trail all of the way up to the Skyline Gate Staging Area. The last half-mile of the climb is the steepest!
  • 2.8 mi: (Water available) At the Skyline Gate Staging Area. Get water if needed, then head to your right to get on the East Ridge Trail. You will follow the East Ridge Trail for the next 3 miles to the Canyon Trail. Note: Do not confuse the East Ridge Trail with the West Ridge Trail!
  • 5.8 mi: Turn right on the Canyon Trail and begin a steep descent back down to the Canyon Meadow Staging Area.
  • 6.2 mi: Run through the picnic area and back to your car!

Picture
The East Ridge Trail

Favorite Run #2: Golden/Graham/French Loop (13.3 mi, ~2300' elevation gain) ​🐾

The name of this loop may sound like a kid's breakfast cereal, but don't be fooled: it's a challenging and beautiful route that includes some of the best singletrack in the East Bay. The first part is on the rolling, shaded Golden Spike Trail. You then climb through Roberts Regional Recreation Area to Redwood Bowl and the West Ridge Trail. After a brief side-trip for water, the route follows the beautiful and tough French Trail along its entire length, followed by a steep descent back to your car.

The run starts from the Canyon Meadow Staging Area. After paying the fee at the entrance kiosk, continue driving along the paved road and park in the last parking lot. From the parking lot, run north on the Stream Trail through the play area. 

GPX Track

Printable Trail Map

Driving Directions
Route Details:
Please note that there are some confusing intersections on the West Ridge Trail and on the French Trail, so we recommend that you print out the map or download the GPX track to your GPS device!
  • 0.0 mi: From the Canyon Meadow Staging Area, run north on the Stream Trail through the play area.
  • 0.3 mi: Just after crossing the bridge, take a left and another left to get on Bridle Trail heading toward West Ridge Trail.
  • 0.8 mi: Veer right and start climbing up the West Ridge Trail.
  • 1.1 mi: Turn left onto Golden Spike Trail. This is a narrow singletrack which climbs, twists, and turns.  Stay on Golden Spike for the next few miles until it ends.  You'll pass several trail intersections, but always stay on Golden Spike.
  • 2.6 mi: Near Piedmont Horse Stables. Make a quick right/left to stay on Golden Spike.
  • 4.0 mi: After a short but steep climb, Golden Spike Trail ends on Dunn Trail. Take a right on Dunn Trail and follow it through Serpentine Prairie. Stay on Dunn as it starts gradually climbing.
  • 4.8 mi: Turn left onto Graham Trail. Stay on Graham trail all of the way through Roberts Regional Recreation Area to the West Ridge Trail.
  • 5.9 mi: (Water available) At Redwood Bowl. Turn left onto West Ridge Trail. You will stay on the West Ridge Trail for the next two miles. There are a few confusing trail intersections, so watch for signs for the West Ridge Trail.
  • 6.2 mi: Cross over the road to Chabot Space and Science Center. Stay on West Ridge Trail. You will pass several trails, but continue on the West Ridge Trail toward the Skyline Gate Staging Area.
  • 7.8 mi: (Water Available) At the Skyline Gate Staging Area. Fill up your water, then turn around and head back the way you came on the West Ridge Trail. Keep an eye out for the French Trail heading down to the left.
  • 8.4 mi: Turn left down the French Trail and get ready for a wild ride! The French Trail is an up-and-down singletrack roller coaster ride for the next four miles. You will pass multiple trail crossings along the way, but continue to follow signs for the French Trail until it ends on Orchard Trail. Note: There are a few trail intersections where it is tricky to follow the French Trail. Always check the signs, even if the way looks obvious!
  • 12.4 mi: When French Trail ends, turn left onto Orchard Trail and descend steeply to Bridle Trail.
  • 12.8 mi: Turn left onto Bridle Trail. This next half-mile back to your car follows the same route you came in earlier.
  • 13.0 mi: Turn right onto Stream Trail, and cross the bridge.
  • 13.3 mi: Back at Canyon Meadow Staging Area and your car!
Picture
The Golden Spike Trail
Picture
The Graham Trail
Picture
The French Trail in the winter

Favorite Run #3: The 1+2=3 Loop (19.5 mi, 3100' elevation gain) ​🐾

For the ultimate challenging tour of the park, simply combine Favorite Run #1 and Favorite Run #2 into a giant double-loop! One great thing about this epic loop is that you are never more than 6 miles away from drinking water! 

For turn-by-turn directions, simply follow the route details from Favorite Run #1 above, followed by Favorite Run #2 above.

The run starts from the Canyon Meadow Staging Area. After paying the fee at the entrance kiosk, continue driving along the paved road and park in the last parking lot. From the parking lot, run north on the Stream Trail through the play area. 

GPX Track

Printable Trail Map

Driving Directions

 
Picture
View from West Ridge Trail

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