East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail

The East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail, one of 1,200 designated National Recreation Trails in the United States, is part of the historic 1968 National Trails System Act. The trail parallels the Bay Area Ridge Trail, a planned 550-mile multi-use trail along ridgelines ringing the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Anza National Historic Trail, commemorating the 1776 East Bay exploration by Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza’s expedition.

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The East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail (Skyline Trail) offers one of the most unique and rewarding outdoor trail experiences in the San Francisco Bay Area. A 31-mile continuous path, the Skyline Trail traverses through six of the East Bay’s most historic and picturesque parks and preserves, sometimes just steps away from urban areas. Visitors will encounter many delights along the trail including stunning panoramic city and bay views, the largest remaining natural stand of coast redwood found in the East Bay and historic and geologic resources.

Running north to south, the trail begins at historic Alvarado Park and the entrance to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park in Richmond.

From there it leads through Tilden Regional Park, Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve, Redwood Regional Park, and ends at Proctor Gate staging area at Anthony Chabot Regional Park near Castro Valley. There is also a section that crosses East Bay Municipal Utility District land over the Caldecott Tunnel and Highway 24.

The Skyline Trail truly embodies the spirit of the National Trails System Act of 1968 (trails50.org) which in 2018, celebrated 50 years of creating outdoor recreation opportunities, promoting resource preservation, providing public access, and appreciating the great outdoors and America’s history and cultural diversity.

To Reach the Trail

Maps

Trail Accessibility

East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail is not wheelchair accessible.

Trail Activities

The East Bay Skyline National Recreation trail is recommended for equestrians, bicyclers, hikers, joggers, and runners.

Mileage

Trail Mileage Guide: Trail Access Points and Descriptions

History

2018 is the 50th Anniversary of the National Trails System Act

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In his 1965 “Natural Beauty Message” to Congress, President Lyndon B. Johnson inspired a national “system of trails” for the American people. Congress passed the National Trails System Act, signed into law by President Johnson on October 2, 1968. Today, the National Trails System includes 11 National Scenic Trails and 19 National Historic Trails authorized by Congress, and more than 1,200 National Recreation Trails including the East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail. Source: Partnership for the National Trail System