Part 1 of the 32-mile East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail, from Alvarado Staging Area (Wildcat Canyon) to Inspiration Point (Tilden).

Location: Wildcat Canyon Regional Park — Tilden Regional Park — East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail

» Official Trail Map: Good quality map showing various trails. Also see Text section of the map.

Route in brief: (from Alvarado Staging Area in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park to Inspiration Point in Tilden Regional Park): Wildcat Creek (0.45 miles) → Belgum Trail (0.87 miles) → San Pablo Ridge Trail (1.21 miles) → connector (0.07 miles) → Nimitz Way (4.60 miles).

Notes:

1. The initial portion of the hike takes you through open spaces among rolling hills with good views of cities. The latter portion (Nimitz Way) is a paved road.
2. Details in pages 50-54 in East Bay Trails: Hiking Trails in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties (288 pages, 2005) by David Weintraub.
3. A side trip to Wildcat Peak in Tilden Regional Park adds 0.6 miles to the overall distance. Interesting views from the top on a clear day.

Location: near intersection of McBryde Avenue and Park Avenue, Richmond, CA 94806 . No street address. Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Directions: From I-80 East, take exit 17 toward Solano Ave and merge onto Amador St. After 0.4 miles, turn right onto McBryde Ave. In 0.3 miles, there is an intersection with Park Ave. Drive about 0.2 miles further along Park Avenue to reach Wildcat Canyon Staging Area (see trail map for its location).

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: None (last visited: May 2011)

Capacity: More than 10 cars

Latitude: 37.951383     Longitude: -122.322201

Location: along Wildcat Canyon Rd, Orinda, CA 94563 . No street address. Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Directions: From CA-24 East, take exit 7A towards Fish Ranch Rd. Merge onto Old Tunnel Road. Within 0.2 miles, merge onto Fish Ranch Rd and drive for 0.8 miles. Turn right onto Grizzly Peak Blvd and drive for 1.4 miles. Turn right onto Wildcat Canyon Rd and drive for 1.3 miles to Inspiration Point.

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: None (last visited: December 2010)

Capacity: Over 20 cars can be parked here.

Latitude: 37.904996     Longitude: -122.244315