Address: 37.879615, -122.226029 (Grizzly Peak Blvd across from South Park Drive)
Parking: Free parking available at the pullout at the address above
Hours: Not posted
Type: Hike (moderate, 1-4 miles)
Regulations: Not posted. Bring a leash just in case, but most dogs are off-leash
Best time to visit: Anytime if it isn't too hot
Description: The hikes described below are on unmarked firetrails above UC Berkeley. You can take these trails to connect to Claremont Canyon, Strawberry Canyon and even Tilden Park. You can head up the fire trail and have an unobstructed, panoramic, breathtaking view of the bay in less than a mile hike round trip. However, I've outlined some longer options below. You can hike along the ridge, which will take you below the Grizzly Peak lookout, to the UC Space & Science building, and you can hike back through Tilden. Or you can head uphill, which will take you into Claremont Canyon and further down, into Strawberry Canyon. You can also start this hike at the Claremont Canyon pullout on Claremont Ave (see the Claremont Canyon section for that information).
Option #1: From the parking area if you take the fire trail to your right: This trail takes you under the Grizzly Peak lookout and gives you unobstructed, panoramic views of the bay. There are a few steep hills that you will have to hike down, and a couple times the trail feels like it's backtracking because it has long switchbacks, but eventually it will lead you to the UC Space & Science building. From here you can retrace your steps for an approximately 4 mile hike, or you can walk up Gauss Way (where the science building is located), and over to Centennial Drive (which has a footpath on the opposite side), and you should cross again when the footpath ends. Soon you'll see Grizzly Peak Blvd and Centennial drive turns into Golf Links Rd. You'll see a small pullout to the right that will lead you to the Grizzly Peak trailhead in Tilden Park. You can take the Tilden trails back to where you started. Just be careful crossing Grizzly Peak Blvd, but there is a lot a foot traffic here, so just be cautious and you'll be fine. Once you're in Tilden, take Grizzly Peak Trail to Tower Trail to Gillespie Camp Trail and it will lead you to South Park Drive, and the top is Grizzly Peak Blvd, directly across the street from the pullout where you parked. Again, just be careful crossing Grizzly Peak Blvd.
Option #2: From the parking area, if you stay straight, and head uphill: This will give you a more challenging hike and you will also catch some glimpses of bay views. If you head uphill into the trees, you have the option of connecting to a downhill trail leading to Claremont Canyon and eventually Strawberry Canyon. This will be a challenging, steep hike back, but you can hike in from here and avoid the crowds at those trailheads. Once you reach the other side of the hill, you will have a full view of the bay. If you continue hiking downhill to the right, you will eventually reach the UC Space Sciences Laboratory.
Option #3: Another option after hiking uphill into the trees, is to take an unmarked trail along the ridge which is lined with wildflowers and yields views of the bay. After a steep hike down the hill, before the trail splits into three directions, there is a firetrail to your left. This snakes through bushes and comes out on the hillside, with beautiful bay views as well. Continue hiking up the trail, take the split to your left, and it will connect to the trail you began on. Google Maps shows these trails listed simply as "Fire Trail," should you get lost.
There are a few patches of shade, but it is mostly in direct sunlight so don't attempt this hike on a hot day. There are no trash cans or water faucets along the trails.
Parking: Free parking available at the pullout at the address above
Hours: Not posted
Type: Hike (moderate, 1-4 miles)
Regulations: Not posted. Bring a leash just in case, but most dogs are off-leash
Best time to visit: Anytime if it isn't too hot
Description: The hikes described below are on unmarked firetrails above UC Berkeley. You can take these trails to connect to Claremont Canyon, Strawberry Canyon and even Tilden Park. You can head up the fire trail and have an unobstructed, panoramic, breathtaking view of the bay in less than a mile hike round trip. However, I've outlined some longer options below. You can hike along the ridge, which will take you below the Grizzly Peak lookout, to the UC Space & Science building, and you can hike back through Tilden. Or you can head uphill, which will take you into Claremont Canyon and further down, into Strawberry Canyon. You can also start this hike at the Claremont Canyon pullout on Claremont Ave (see the Claremont Canyon section for that information).
Option #1: From the parking area if you take the fire trail to your right: This trail takes you under the Grizzly Peak lookout and gives you unobstructed, panoramic views of the bay. There are a few steep hills that you will have to hike down, and a couple times the trail feels like it's backtracking because it has long switchbacks, but eventually it will lead you to the UC Space & Science building. From here you can retrace your steps for an approximately 4 mile hike, or you can walk up Gauss Way (where the science building is located), and over to Centennial Drive (which has a footpath on the opposite side), and you should cross again when the footpath ends. Soon you'll see Grizzly Peak Blvd and Centennial drive turns into Golf Links Rd. You'll see a small pullout to the right that will lead you to the Grizzly Peak trailhead in Tilden Park. You can take the Tilden trails back to where you started. Just be careful crossing Grizzly Peak Blvd, but there is a lot a foot traffic here, so just be cautious and you'll be fine. Once you're in Tilden, take Grizzly Peak Trail to Tower Trail to Gillespie Camp Trail and it will lead you to South Park Drive, and the top is Grizzly Peak Blvd, directly across the street from the pullout where you parked. Again, just be careful crossing Grizzly Peak Blvd.
Option #2: From the parking area, if you stay straight, and head uphill: This will give you a more challenging hike and you will also catch some glimpses of bay views. If you head uphill into the trees, you have the option of connecting to a downhill trail leading to Claremont Canyon and eventually Strawberry Canyon. This will be a challenging, steep hike back, but you can hike in from here and avoid the crowds at those trailheads. Once you reach the other side of the hill, you will have a full view of the bay. If you continue hiking downhill to the right, you will eventually reach the UC Space Sciences Laboratory.
Option #3: Another option after hiking uphill into the trees, is to take an unmarked trail along the ridge which is lined with wildflowers and yields views of the bay. After a steep hike down the hill, before the trail splits into three directions, there is a firetrail to your left. This snakes through bushes and comes out on the hillside, with beautiful bay views as well. Continue hiking up the trail, take the split to your left, and it will connect to the trail you began on. Google Maps shows these trails listed simply as "Fire Trail," should you get lost.
There are a few patches of shade, but it is mostly in direct sunlight so don't attempt this hike on a hot day. There are no trash cans or water faucets along the trails.
Click maps to enlarge option #1, option #2, option #3:
