In
brief:
4 mile loop on grassy hills above Lake Del Valle.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 4 mile loop hike is easy. Trailhead elevation is around
745 feet. Top elevation for the featured hike is about 1130 feet. Trails
climb at reasonable grades, and the total elevation change is about 940
feet. Folks new to hiking can shorten the featured hike, or choose an easier,
mostly level walk along the shores of the reservoir.
Exposure:
Mostly exposed.
Trail traffic:
Light-moderate.
Trail surfaces:
Dirt trails and fire roads.
Hiking time:
2 hours.
Season:
Hot in summer. Nice in late winter and early spring.
Address:
7000 Del Valle Road, Livermore, CA 94550
Getting there:
From Interstate 580 in Alameda County, exit Central Livermore/North Livermore
Avenue (exit 52b). Drive south on North Livermore, which turns into South
Livermore, passes through downtown, makes a sharp left curve, and turns
into Tesla Road (about 3.5 miles from 580). Just past the curve, look for
the brown "parks" sign and turn right onto Mines Road. Drive about
3.5 miles, at which point Mines Road veers left. Follow the brown parks
signs, and stay straight on Del Valle Road about another 3.5 miles to the
park entrance kiosk, on the right side of the road. Park near the snack
bar if possible.
GPS Coordinates* for Trailhead:
Latitude
37°35'11.40"N
Longitude 121°42'12.98"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
Gas, restaurants, and stores back in Livermore. Camping info from EBRPD:
"Del Valle Family Campground has 150 sites, 21 of them with water and
sewage hookups (no electrical). The sites are served by centrally located
toilet and shower facilities. For reservations, telephone (510) 636-1684,
up to 12 weeks in advance. There are also several youth group campgrounds,
available by reservation only. Telephone (510) 636-1684 for information."
Trailhead details:
$6 vehicle entrance fee. $2 dog fee. Lots of parking. Restrooms, pay phone,
and drinking water on site. Maps available at entrance kiosk. There are
designated handicapped parking spots, and some trails may be wheelchair
accessible with assistance. There is no direct public transportation to
the park.
Rules:
Most trails are multi-use. A few trails are only open to hikers and equestrians.
Dogs must be leashed (6-foot maximum leash length) 200 feet from any trail or park entrance. Dogs must be leashed in parking lots,
picnic areas, roads, developed areas such as lawns and play fields, on some trails, and in posted areas. They must be under voice
control at all times. Dogs are not allowed in swim areas, beaches, or wetlands. Dogs may be off leash in open space and undeveloped
areas of the park. Park is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Official Story:
EBRPD's Del Valle page.
Del Valle info 925-373-0332
Map Choices:
• EBRPD's Del Valle map
Del Valle in a nutshell -- a printable, text-only guide to the featured
hike.
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