Inspiration Point, Nimitz Way Trail

Inspiration Point, Nimitz Way

This 8M out-and-back is one of the most popular multi-use trails within Tilden Regional Park. The East Bay Skyline National Recreational Trail follows the Nimitz Way during part of its 31M route. There are terrific views along the crest of the East Bay hills, and of the cool, glassy water from the San Pablo Reservoir down below.

A fairly challenging 12-13M loop starts with the paved path of the Nimitz Way, and then continues on the dirt path to the San Pablo Ridge Trail. This is ranch land, you will see cattle grazing, and some horses, too. Take the Belgum Trail, which at the end has some palm trees, which look like an oasis from afar. Where the trail ends, there will be a road, turn left and resume to the Wildcat Creek Trail to get to Jewel Lake. There is a restroom here,
and the Sylvan Wildcat Peak Trail is nearby to get back to Inspiration Point. Make sure to follow the marker that says Inspiration Point, or else you will wind up going into central Tilden Park. When in doubt, look for the large power structures that mark the Inspiration Point area near the reservoir.

The Berkeley Hills ride passes Inspiration Point on Wildcat Canyon Road.

The Valley Spokesmen Touring Club Hekaton Hilly 100 is a fabulous ride covering several notable East Bay rides, Inspiration Point, The Three Bears, Pig Farm Hill, Niles Canyon and Palomares Road, Redwood and Pinehurst Road, and return to Tilden via Grizzly Peak Road. It is actually 94M with 6350 feet of climbing, mostly on back roads with little traffic.

Start: Inspiration Point (rest room available)
Left on Wildcat Canyon Rd, which becomes Bear Creek Road (The Three Bears, gradual hills)
Right on Alhambra Rd. (Pig Farm Hill, 7% grade, but short)
South on Reliez Valley Rd. (5.6M next turn)
Right on Pleasant Hill Rd.
Left on Olympic Blvd.
Right on Tice Valley Rd.
Right on Crest Avenue.
Left on Hillgrade Ave.
Right on Danville Blvd.
Left on Stone Valley Rd.
Right on Green Valley Rd.
Left on Diablo Rd.
South on Blackhawk Rd.
South on Crow Canyon Rd.
Left on Dougherty Rd.
Right on Amador Valley Blvd.
Right on Brighton Rd.
Right Dublin High School (this is the Hekaton loop start and finish, there is a track here for those wishing to do a brick)
Left on Village Parkway
Right on Amador Valley Rd.(lots of fast food options here)
Left on San Ramon Rd.
South on Foothill Rd. (over I-580)
Left on Kilcare Rd.
Right on Main St. (becomes Niles Canyon Rd)
Right on Palomares Rd.-CAUTION, sharp U turn! (10M next turn, views are delicious)
Left on Palo Verde
Left on E. Castro Valley Blvd.
Right on Crow Canyon Rd.
Left on Cull Canyon Rd.
Left on Heyer Ave.
Right on Redwood Rd. (9.5M next turn, might get a bit cool here, have the jacket handy)
Right on Pinehurst (6.9M next turn, a short, steep section where it is best to "bust-a-move!")
Right on Skyline Blvd. (listen for the Little Steam Trains!)
Right on S. Park Dr. (Tilden Park entrance, steep downhill, an "E" ticket ride!)
Right on Wildcat Canyon-return to Inspiration Point.

Tilden Regional Park.

Lake Anza, Tilden's swimming hole. A terrific way to get in a brick workout. Swim, and then bike on Wildcat Canyon Road to Alhambra Road. (See above bike course directions). This is about a two-hour roundtrip ride. Or, run to Inspiration Point, it is only a few miles from the lake taking Wildcat Canyon Road. The Curran Trail is a shorter way to access the Nimitz Way.

Directions:

From Hwy 24 east: Go through the tunnel to Orinda.

Go north on San Pablo Dan Road for a couple of miles.

Take a left turn on Wildcat Canyon Road and come up to the top of the ridge. The entrance of the trail is here.

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