Vigorous hike with grand views of Sunol from atop Flag Hill and along Vista Grande.

Location: Sunol Regional Wilderness Preserve

» Official Trail Map: Good quality map showing various trails. Also, see Text Side of the map and Valley Floor area.

From the main parking lot for Sunol, follow the trails to the north of the parking lot, cross a bridge, turn left along Shady Glen Trail (0.3 miles) → continue along Flag Hill Trail (1.1 miles) to reach Flag Hill. Continue along Flag Hill Road (0.8 miles) → continue along Vista Grande Road (1.1 miles) → right on Eagle View Trail (0.6 miles) → right on Eagle View Road (0.2 miles) → right on Cave Rocks Road (0.3 miles) → left on Indian Joe Creek Trail (1.5 miles) to return to the parking lot.

Notes: The climb along Flag Hill Trail is a vigorous workout. The trail climbs almost 1000 ft in 1.2 miles. Panoramic valley views from Flag Hill and along Vista Grande Road are pretty awesome. The return trip via Indian Joe Creek is quite pleasant, especially along sections that adjoin the creek.

Vista Points: (a) Near SO-3 (Flag Hill), walk a short distance towards Flag Hill Loop Trail to reach a rocky outgrowth. Views from atop these rocks are awesome! (b) At SO-28 (intersection of Vista Grande Road and Eagle View Trail), there is a bench. Panoramic views of hills and a lake in the distance are breathtaking! This is probably the best vista point in Sunol. (c) At SO-33 (intersection of Cave Rocks Road and Cerro Este Road), there is a bench that offers great views.

Location: 1895 Geary Rd, Sunol, CA 94586 . Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Directions:

From Fremont: Drive north on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road. Turn right on Calaveras and proceed to Geary Road, which leads directly into the park.

From Oakland/Berkeley: Drive east on I-580 to the junction with I-680 in Pleasanton. At the junction, go south on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of the town of Pleasanton. Turn left onto Calaveras Road and proceed to Geary Road, which leads directly into the park.

From Walnut Creek/Danville: Go south on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of the town of Pleasanton. Turn left onto Calaveras Road and proceed to Geary Road, which leads directly into the park.

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: $5 per vehicle (last visited: April 2010)

Capacity: Over 20 cars may be parked here.

Latitude: 37.511053     Longitude: -121.828208