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Wildcat Canyon Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 3.4 (36)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …East Bay
  4. Tilden Regional Park
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“A great one hour ride with lots of flats, climbs, and fast descents. ”

Christopher Bazil
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Map Key

13.5

Miles

21.7

KM

0%

Singletrack

1,069' 326 m

High

369' 112 m

Low

1,176' 359 m

Up

1,194' 364 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

31%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

No riding allowed during rainy weather.

Overview

Wildcat Canyon Loop combines trails from the Tilden and Wildcat Canyon Regional Park systems to create a dynamic ride that includes fast descents and some serious climbs. Begin the ride from the staging area at Lone Oak Road in Tilden Park. Parking is always free, and the staging area has bathrooms and water. From there, riders wanting to test their climbing legs with grades up to 30%, should ride the loop clockwise, following the Loop Road Trail to the Wildcat Creek Trail, up Belgum Trail over the rolling hillsides, and south on the Bay Ridge Trail.

For those of you looking to get a good ride in with less climbing and more descents, reverse the directions described below head counter-clockwise from the staging area up Meadows Canyon Trail. You'll start out with a climb, but after that, it's nearly all flat and downhill from there. Enjoy!

Need to Know

Parking is always available at the staging area. Weekends can be crowded on the popular trails, but this loops guides you to some of the most underused areas of both parks. No food, so pack it in. Water is available at many crossing points.

Description

From the staging area, head North on Loop Road trail, which then turns into Wildcat Creek Trail. Follow Wildcat for approximately four miles. Towards the end of Wildcat Creek Trail it becomes pavement. Keep an eye out for the Belgum Trail sign, then take a right.

Belgum Trail, traversed in the clockwise direction, is an intense climb that will bust even the best riders legs. Just when you're hoping the climb has ended, take a right up the steepest portion of the loop to tackle the San Pablo Ridge Trail. The San Pablo eventually becomes the Nimitz Way Trail. After a few miles, Nimitz becomes a paved pedestrian/bike path and turns into the Bay Area Ridge Trail. As you get closer to Inspiration Point, pedestrian traffic picks up -- please call out and pass with care.

Once at Inspiration Point, you can fill up for water, use the restrooms, and begin the final descent. Take a sharp right from the bathrooms down Curran
Trail. Travel Curran for about 200 yards and then take another sharp right down Meadows Canyon Trail. Meadows Canyon is a beautiful and fast descent, but keep an eye out, as this is a popular dog walking trail. Once at the bottom, you'll be back at the staging area.

Contacts

Land Manager: East Bay Regional Park District (CA)

Shared By:

Christopher Bazil
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.4 from 36 votes

#2

in Tilden Regional Park

#999

Overall
  3.4 from 36 votes
5 Star
14%
4 Star
36%
3 Star
28%
2 Star
17%
1 Star
6%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Tilden Regional Park

#146

in California

#999

Overall
80 Views Last Month
20,113 Since Sep 5, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
3%
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76%
3%
7%
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Photos

Golden Gate Bridge as seen from the Wildcat Canyon Loop
Sep 5, 2015 near East Ri…, CA
View after a short climb up the Belgium Trail
Sep 5, 2015 near East Ri…, CA
Cross through the cattle guard on the Belgium Trail
Sep 5, 2015 near East Ri…, CA
Last major climb on the San Pablo Ridge Trail!
Sep 5, 2015 near East Ri…, CA
If it's super muddy, don't pick the middle line!!
Feb 3, 2020 near Kensington, CA
Wildcat Canyon.
Feb 12, 2018 near East Ri…, CA

4 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 50 days ago
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Check-Ins

Mar 17, 2024
Diana Hsieh
Very beautiful, would do again! I would avoid meadows canyon a trail at the end because it was muddy. 13.5mi
Dec 2, 2023
Yunlu Yang
13.5mi
Aug 1, 2023
Kathy Li
Nov 17, 2022
Yunlu Yang
Apr 27, 2021
Natan Lieberman
Nov 1, 2020
Robert Hoehn
Oct 17, 2020
Boom Caca
15.4mi — 1h 42m
Jul 9, 2020
Cooper Clark
Nice gradual climb in the counter clockwise direction. Cooler temp in the am, some dust, and hard packed trails.

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