In
brief:
5.85 loop climbs through oaks and grassland to a series of bare rolling hills,
then drops back to the trailhead.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 5.85 mile partial loop hike is moderate. Trailhead elevation
is about 260 feet. The featured hike climbs to about 1530 feet. Most of
the trails are moderate, although there's a bit of steep up and down on
the ridgeline -- total elevation change is about 1540 feet.
Exposure:
Almost entirely full sun.
Trail traffic:
Moderate
Trail surfaces:
Dirt fire roads and trails.
Hiking time:
3 hours.
Season:
Very hot in summer, and can be muddy in winter. Early spring is best.
Getting there:
From Interstate 680 in Alameda County, exit Sunol Boulevard/Castlewood Drive
(exit 25). Head west on Castlewood Drive and where the road splits stay
to the right on Castlewood (it feels like you're turning off the main road).
At the stop sign, turn left onto Foothill Road and drive about 1.6 miles
to the trailhead on the right side of the road.
GPS Coordinates* for Trailhead:
Latitude
37°36'52.83"N
Longitude 121°52'54.88"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
None in the immediate area. Services off Interstate 680 near Danville. No camping.
Trailhead details:
Large parking lots, with a few additional spaces before the gate. No entrance
or parking fees. Portable toilets available. Maps available at the information
signboard. There is no direct public transportation to the park.
Rules:
Most trails are multi-use. A few are designated open to equestrians and hikers only. 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. Pets must be under voice control at all times. Clean up after your pet; bag it, bin it. Park is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Official Story:
EBRPD's
Pleasanton Ridge page.
EBRPD headquarters 510-562-PARK
Map Choices:
• Map
from EBRPD
• Dave Baselt's Oakland Hills and Pleasanton Ridge map is an excellent guide to the trails of Pleasanton Ridge as well as surrounding parklands.
(order
from Redwood Hikes).
Pleasanton Ridge in a nutshell -- a printable, text-only guide to the featured
hike.
Go to Bay Area Hiker Home page