Tilden Nature Area: Laurel Canyon Trail to Wildcat Peak

 Distance: 3.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 700 feet

High Point: 1,180 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 2 hours

Fitness: Walkers, hikers

Family Friendly: Yes, families who can’t hike too far can still visit the environmental education center and Tilden Little Farm.

Dog Friendly: No

Amenities: Visitor center, picnic areas, restrooms, children’s playground, drinking water

Contact: East Bay Regional Parks

GPS: 37° 54' 29.9952'' N 122° 15' 51.5304'' W

Map to: Tilden Park Indian Camp, Kensington, CA

Getting there: Take AC Transit Route 67 to the Canon Drive and Environmental Center stop, which leaves you just a few feet from the hike start.

Parking: There is a parking lot with free parking at the end of Central Park Drive, but it can be very busy on weekends.

William Penn Mott, the former director of the National Park Service and former Regional Parks general manager said that 740-acre Tilden Nature area and its environmental education center (EEC) were established to create the “most Innovative, creative interpretive program ever devised.” The park is well appointed and is especially popular with families—most likely due to the Tilden Little Farm, which includes cows, sheep, goats rabbits, chickens, and pigs. (Bring some celery to feed the animals!)

The Tilden Little Farm isn’t billed as a zoo, but the crowds at this park on weekends will make you feel like you’re in one. Take a deep breath—once you pass the farm, the crowds thin out dramatically, and you can enjoy nature and quiet trails.

This hike heads to the top of Wildcat Peak, one of the most scenic viewpoints in the East Bay. In addition to the panoramic views you’ll take in from the top, the route involves narrow shaded trails, creek crossings, a lake, and the Berkeley Rotary Peace Grove, a grove of sequoias with individual trees dedicated by Rotary International to people and organizations who have worked for peace.

Note that the trails can be very muddy after a rain. Bring good shoes you can get dirty if you’re hiking during the rainy season.

Get Moving

From the parking lot on Central Park Drive, follow the road until it ends in a loop and where you’ll see the Tilden Nature Area sign. Enter the park using a path on your right marked with two short wood posts. Then head uphill and straight in the direction of the Little Farm. Pass the cow barn on your right and stay straight on the paved trail.

When you reach a building labeled the Nature Lodge at 0.13 mile, turn left on a dirt path in front of the lodge. Pass the lodge and look for the Laurel Canyon Trail on your right. Continue about 50 feet on the trail, turn left on the Loop Road, and  take a quick right to stay on the Laurel Canyon Trail. You are now in a fragrant eucalyptus forest that feels far from the crowds at the park entrance. As you continue on this trail, there are ferns and poison oak lining the trail.

After 0.23 mile, reach another junction with the Loop Road where you turn left. After 100 feet, turn right on the Laurel Canyon Trail. Laurel trees are now lining the trail. (Get close to one and smell its leaves!)

After 0.24 mile, reach a junction with the Pine Tree Trail. Continue straight and downhill on the Laurel Canyon Trail another 0.11 mile. The trail continues downhill, narrows, and for a short time, and is surrounded by blackberry plants. On this stretch, you’ll also may cross some small, seasonal tributaries of Laurel Creek.

When you reach a trail marker for the Laurel Canyon Trail, Laurel Canyon Road, Nimitz Way, and the Peak Trail, head straight and downhill. On this 0.16-mile stretch, you’ll cross Laurel Creek and climb a flight of stairs. You then take a few steep narrow switchbacks uphill. You’ll feel like you’re climbing out of a canyon as the first rays of sunlight hit your face.

Crossing Laurel Creek

When you reach a wide fire trail, Laurel Canyon Road, head right and uphill. After 0.15 mile, turn left to pick up the Peak Trail, a narrow singletrack trail. Climb to the top of the trees. Ater 100 feet, reach a T where you turn left to stay on the Peak Trail.

After 0.05 mile, reach the Rotary Peace Grove on your right. There is also a bench, which is a nice place to have a picnic (but I suggest waiting to wait for a break at Wildcat Peak). If you’re interested, read the plaque at the opening of the grove and to enter to visit the dedications.

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100 Years of Peace

In 1955, 100 great sequoia trees were planted in this area, a former NIKE missile base. Now, each year Rotarians name a person or organization from anywhere in the world who has worked for peace. A plaque is then placed in front of one of the trees. Past honorees include Nelson Mandela, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malala Yousafzai.

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The Rotary Peace Grove

When you’re done visiting the grove, continue on the Peak Trail for another 0.2 mile. Now you have views of San Francisco; the Bay Bridge; the Golden Gate Bridge; and Angel, Alcatraz, and Treasure Islands. You can also look behind you to get views of Mt. Diablo.

View from the Peace Grove Look-Out

When you reach the next marker for the Peak Trail, even if you’re sick of climbing, it is a must to head right to the top of Wildcat Peak and the Peace Grove Look-Out where you get 360 degree views of the entire area from 1,180 feet in the air. In addition to the sights mentioned just before, you can also see San Pablo Reservoir from here. This is one of the best panoramic viewpoints I’ve seen in the entire Bay Area. 

When you’re done visiting the overlook, head back to the last Peak Trail marker you passed. This time, turn right and head down the hill. You’ll be on this trail for a total of 0.97 mile (downhill all the way)! For the first part of this stretch, you’ll continue to have views. You’ll then head back into the woods, eventually visiting a nice eucalyptus grove. When you reach a marker for the Sylvan Trail, turn right.

Follow the Sylvan Trail for .27 mile to reach a T with a fence and marker for the Jewel Lake Trail. Turn right (though both left and right will take you to Jewel Lake) and continue 0.05 mile to reach marker #9 where you head left toward the Visitor Center. You are now on a wide fire trail that leads to a rest area and bench on your left after 0.03 mile.

Across from the rest area, turn right on the Pack Rat Trail, crossing over a bridge and dam. Jewel Lake and redwoods are on your left. After you pass the lake, follow the trail as it bends left. You will soon get a view of the lake from the other side.

After 0.1 mile, follow the Pack Rat trail left toward the Visitor Center. This part of the trail is lined with blackberry bushes, ferns, and laurel. For the last 0.35 mile of the trail, walk along Wildcat Creek until you reach the parking lot and the end of the hike.

Go Farther

Have a picnic by Jewel Lake or visit the Tilden Little Farm or the environmental education center. If you feel like hiking more, visit Tilden Regional Park.