HIKE IN THE OAKLAND HILLS, CA: Anthony Chabot Regional Park

Anthony Chabot Regional Park, Oakland, CA

Just a fifteen minute drive from our house in Oakland is one of our favorite places to hike–the MacDonald Trail in Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Designed for walkers, bike riders, and people with dogs, it descends gradually to the valley below on a wide dirt trail. The Parkridge trail head and entrance to the park are at the end of a residential street at the top of the ridge. 

MacDonald Trail

We set out on a cool afternoon in late December, the first sunny day after a series of rainstorms. The air was fresh and the skies so clear that we could see the tops of hills many miles away. Although the storm had made gullies in the path and left a few puddles, the trail was mostly clear. A sign along the path advised that the area is also used for grazing cattle, and although we saw a few cow pies, no live animals were evident.

View from the trail.

The late afternoon sun turned the new grass an emerald green and highlighted the live oaks dotting the hills. A bench located about half-way down was the perfect place to rest and admire the view. The total length of the trail from top to bottom is about one and a half miles. But our car was parked at the top, so when we reached the bottom we turned around and retraced our steps, making the total trip about three miles. (Actually, my husband and I stopped just short of the end, where the trail descends a steep hill to a bridge over a stream. The more energetic younger members of our family group hiked to the bridge and back.)

Parkridge Gate, Anthony Chabot Regional Park

A kiosk at the trail head provides information about the trail, including animals one might encounter (rattlesnakes in warm weather.) Brochures are available with a map of the park. The same brochure is available online at the park website. This is a popular trail for people with dogs because the dogs are allowed to run off leash. We passed several on our way down the trail.

View to the East from the top of the ridge. 

For more information go to the East Bay Regional Park District Anthony Chabot Regional Park website..