Hikes in East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail

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Hikes in East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail

1 Jan 2012

The 32-mile East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail (quite a long name) goes through six different parks and preserves. As a rule of thumb, if you can do Half Dome (16 miles, 4800 ft) comfortably, then you can also do this trail. It's just a long long day.

In November 2009, I finished the hike in 13.5 hours, along with three friends. For Part 4, we followed the longer route through Redwood Regional Park (French Trail) for a total of 32.3 miles (~ 2.4 miles per hour).

Entire Hike

32.3 miles
4200 ft

32-Mile East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail

A summary of the entire hike, including water availability and locations for caching food.

Individual Sections

For Part 4, there are two different choices through Redwood Regional Park. The route via French Trail is one mile longer but much more scenic.

7.2 miles
1300 ft

East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail — Part 1

From Alvarado Staging Area (an entrance for Wildcat Canyon Regional Park) to Inspiration Point (an entrance for Tilden Regional Park).

3.0 miles
900 ft

East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail — Part 2

A short section from Inspiration Point (an entrance for Tilden Regional Park) to Steams Trains Parking Lot on Lomas Cantadas (another entrance for Tilden Regional Park).

6.3 miles
900 ft

East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail — Part 3

From Steam Trains Parking Lot on Lomas Cantadas (an entrance for Tilden Regional Park) to Skyline Gate Staging Area (an entrance for Redwood Regional Park). The hike goes through two preserves in Oakland: Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve and Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve.

5.0 miles
300 ft

East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail — Part 4
(via West Ridge Trail)

From Skyline Gate (an entrance for Redwood Regional Park) to MacDonald Gate (an entrance for Anthony Chabot Regional Park). This is the shorter, easier route that goes all along West Ridge Trail.

6.5 miles
900 ft

East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail — Part 4
(via French Trail)

From Skyline Gate (an entrance for Redwood Regional Park) to MacDonald Gate (an entrance for Anthony Chabot Regional Park). This is the longer but more scenic route that goes via French Trail.

9.3 miles
1300 ft

East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail — Part 5

From MacDonald Gate Staging Area to Proctor Staging Area in Anthony Chabot Regional Park.

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