In brief:
4.5 mile loop traveling through oak grassland on the low flanks of Mount
Diablo.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 4.5 mile loop hike is easy, with a total elevation change of
about 1000 feet. Trailhead elevation is about 445 feet, and the highest point
of the featured hike is about 880 feet. There are a few short steep trail
segments, but the hiking is easy, unless it's hot. Then every step seems
twice as hard.
Exposure:
Mostly exposed, with a few pockets of shade.
Trail traffic:
Light-moderate.
Trail surfaces:
Dirt trails and fire roads.
Hiking time:
2 1/2 hours.
Season:
Spring is best.
Getting there:
From Interstate 680 in Contra Costa County, exit at Livorna Road (exit 43).
Drive east about 1.5 miles, to the Livorna Staging Area, on the left side
of the road.
GPS Coordinates* for Trailhead:
Latitude
37°52'14.75"N
Longitude 122° 0'36.82"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
There are no facilities on Livorna Road. For gas, pay phones, restaurants,
and stores, head north or south on 680. No camping at Diablo Foothills,
although there are campgrounds in adjacent Mount Diablo State Park.
Trailhead details:
Parking for 12 cars in a lot on the edge of a residential neighborhood.
No entrance or parking fees. No toilet facilities or drinking water. Maps
available at the information signboard. No designated handicapped parking,
and while trails are technically accessible to wheelchairs, they are not
suitable for them. There is no direct public transportation to the park,
but you can walk into Diablo Foothills from a County Connection bus stop:
visit 511.org for details.
Rules:
Most trails are multi-use. A few trails are designated as closed to cyclists.
Pets must be leashed in parking lots, 200 feet from any trail or park entrance, picnic areas, developed
areas such as lawns and play fields, on some trails, and where grazing animals are present.
They must be under voice control at all times. Clean up after your pet; bag it, bin it.
Note that dogs are not allowed in Mount Diablo State Park. Diablo Foothills is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Official Story:
EBRPD's Diablo Foothills page
EBRPD headquarters 510-562-PARK
Map Choices:
• Map from EBRPD
• Fantastic map of Diablo Foothills and adjacent parklands from the City of Walnut Creek
• Trail Map of Mount Diablo State Park and Adjacent Parklands, published by the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association is essential if you
plan to visit the state park.
Diablo Foothills in a nutshell -- a printable, text-only guide to the featured
hike.
Go to Bay Area Hiker Home page