In brief:
4.7 mile loop over sharply rolling, rocky hills. Great views and wildflowers
in spring.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 4.7 mile loop hike is moderate. Trailhead elevation is
about 1040 feet. The featured hike climbs to about 1880 feet and then descends
back to the trailhead. There are numerous short, somewhat steep ascents
and descents, and the total elevation change is about 1400 feet.
Exposure:
Some shade, but mostly exposed.
Trail traffic:
Light-moderate.
Trail surfaces:
Dirt trail, dirt fire road, and one paved fire road.
Hiking time:
3 hours.
Season:
Late winter through spring. Trails are very muddy after heavy rains.
Address:
18012 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon, CA 94583
Getting there:
From eastbound CA 24 in Contra Costa County, exit south Interstate 680 (exit
15a). Drive about 10 miles and exit Crow Canyon Road (exit 36). Drive west
(right) for about 1 mile, then turn right (north) onto Bollinger Canyon
Road. Continue about 4.5 miles to the trailhead at the end of the road.
GPS Coordinates* for Trailhead:
Latitude
37°48'57.14"N
Longitude 122° 3'0.27"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
Gas, stores, restaurants, and pay phones back on Crow Canyon Road. No camping.
Trailhead details:
Large parking lot. No entrance or parking fees. Vault toilets and maps at the edge of the parking lot. There are two designated handicapped parking spots, but the trails are not well-suited to wheelchairs.
There is no direct public transportation to this trailhead. As of this writing (July 2022) there is no drinking water.
Rules:
Bicyclists are allowed on about half the trails, but some trails are designated
for equestrians and hikers only. A few are hiking-only. Dogs must be leashed 200 feet from any trail or park entrance. Dogs must be leashed in parking lots, picnic areas,
developed areas such as lawns and play fields, and on some trails. They must be under voice control at all times. Las Trampas is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Official Story:
EBRPD's Las Trampas page.
Park headquarters 925-837-3145
Map/Book Choices:
This hike is described and mapped in 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: San Francisco,
by Jane Huber (yup, that's me, the creator of this website). Order
this book from Amazon.com
• Map from EBRPD (download the pdf).
• Dave Baselt's Oakland Hills and Pleasanton Ridge map is an excellent guide to the trails of Las Trampas as well as surrounding parklands.
(order from Redwood Hikes).
• East Bay Out, by Malcolm Margolin, has a slightly outdated map and good descriptions of trails
(order this book from Amazon.com).
Go to Bay Area Hiker Home page