I took the dogs. I am looking after to this fire trail and they loved it. Early morning we encountered just a handful of people. Around 7 AM or so. Beautiful eucalyptus trees, cross Bay views of San Francisco and the bay bridge. And an amazing canyon that you are hiking along the side of. There are a few areas that you can connect to other parts of the trail system. I found an amazing offshoot that was super green even though it's summer time. I would highly recommend checking this place out! read more

Berkeley Fire Trails - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

Great view of the Bay! Short mileage wise but intense elevation up if you're taking the Claremont Fire Tail and Jordan Fire Trail. There's a few intense hills to overcome for the full trail, but the views and cute dogs (sometimes cats?) make it worth it. There's also a shortcut through the woods if you're short on time or the climb gets too tough. During early summer the superbloom is beautiful and covers the hills with flowers. You should also find the tree house. read more

Here for the view but not for the lower back pain & butt spasms. The view was amazing! I just can't .... with the uphill battle back to the car. Completely worth the pain and suffering though. read more

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This trail is a hidden gem. It's a nice relaxing stroll that honestly has one of the best views of the bay. One to two parts of the trail have steep inclines, but the rest is pretty flat. Because you drive uphill to reach the starting point of the trail (which there are many) you already start with some elevation to begin with. Also it was a nice gesture that some residents who live on the trail (there are houses that are close to the trail) provide dog treats, poop bags, and water. I will be back again! read more

Berkeley Fire Trails - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

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For my 200th review, I'm finally reviewing a hike that was & is near and dear to me during my 4 years at Cal. When I didn't go to Lake Merritt, I found myself doing this hike to get some fresh air and to have a clearer mind. This hike is pretty steep during some parts so not exactly the most family friendly (for children and the elderly). The fire trails is huge, so you absolutely can go any way you like. The uniqueness of this hike is that you'll see the beautiful cities of Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco and also be encapsulated by the forest and a serene quietness when you're up higher in elevation. There are beautiful spots to pause and sit on benches too! I recommend this hike to anyone in the area that wants something relatively challenging (especially for runners this is awesome for the strength + endurance)! read more

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The Berkeley Fire Trails are actually a few different fire trails, but this page seems to be mostly focused on the Claremont Fire Trail and the Jordan Fire Trail. "The fire trail" most commonly references the Jordan Fire Trail. The Jordan Fire Trail is accessible from Centennial Way west of Cal's football stadium. There'll be a small dirt parking lot on the right. From there, the trail snakes up about 0.8mi until you get to the infamous "Connector". It looks like a wall of a hill, and is about 20%+ grade. The Connector marks the transition from the "Lower Jordan Fire Trail" to the..."Upper Jordan Fire Trail" and continues to climb up and up until you reach the bench on the main trail. It's a beautiful view of the canyon and bay especially on a cloudless day or sunrise/sunset. After that, it flattens out for a bit until you reach Lawrence Labs, with an incline up to Grizzly Peak Blvd. It's an exceptional trail, easily accessible, and not too heavily trafficked. The scent of the trees is also amazing after a nice rainfall. read more

Great network of trails that I want to come back and explore! we did the Stonewall-Panoramic Trail, which we thought was only 1.5 miles, but turns out you can extend it way longer. We will do that in the future. Views were really nice and parking is pretty easy in the neighborhood. read more

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Finding parking here was quiet difficult for me. I drove around in circles for a good 30 minutes. On the way however there were some very beautiful views of the bay. You can park on the side of the road to stop and take pictures and watch the sunset. There was a good crowd of people (20 plus) at each view point. read more

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My love for Berkeley runs far and wide. The Berkeley Fire Trails are just another reason to add to my obsession with this wonderful little city! I had hiked a few of these trails before I even knew that these were Berkeley Fire Trails. One of my other favorite hiking trails is Claremont Canyon, and I recently learned that these two trails actually connect. Furthermore, the Berkeley Fire Trails can be taken all the way to the backside of Tilden Park! Yep yep, there's a lot of exploring to do here! What I love most about these trails is the vast variety that it offers. The main trail is paved and can be accessed from behind UC Berkeley's Space Sciences Lab or between Strawberry Canyon and the UC Botanical garden right off of Centennial Drive. The main paved trail is flat throughout and measures about 3.5 miles one way. This section of the trail is great for walking and running! Many locals and UC Berkeley students frequent this trail. There are a few other trails that are a bit more challenging and offer great inclines and pretty views of lush greenery! These trails are my absolute favorite! You can veer off onto these trails from the main trail, and they can also be accessed from several different points off of Claremont Ave. You'll see big white signs with numbers and cars parked on the side of the road. At each trail entrance, there's a large blue sign that reads "Fire Trail", so it makes it pretty easy to find. The trails seem to be endless and it will make you want to explore forever. Just be sure to retrace your steps because you could end up on a whole different trail. There are trail maps located at each major entry point, and all of the entry points are labeled with a white sign that has a number. If you hike high enough, you'll be exposed to some of the most gorgeous views of the Bay! There are just too many trails for one to ever get bored here! If you're looking for fun and explorative trails that are far less traveled, I would highly recommend coming here. read more

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Oh, hello gorgeous greenery!! It can be hard to find the entrance to this unmarked trail, so check out the attached photos of the parking lot and trailhead! The parking lot is smack dab between Strawberry canyon pool and the UC Berkeley botanical garden, and is just a little gravel patch. The No Parking signs don't refer to the entire lot, just particular spots. It's actually an ecological reserve, and parking is most certainly allowed. Parking isn't bad on weekdays, and sometimes there are even a few spots in the shade. There are two trails that start here, the upper fire trail and lower, and they register on Google if you get lost. The upper trail is partial shade, and has a gentle incline for the first mile until it pops you out onto Panoramic Dr. The views from here, despite not being the summit, are beautiful. From here you can either head back down the trail, walk down Panoramic, or head up a steep incline, where the trail continues (doooooo iiiiiiiit!!!!) I found a beehive (photo), Sharp Shinned Hawk (no photo, too fast), friendly dogs (didn't photograph, too busy petting), and a giraffe (yes, really. See photo!) read more

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A hike on the easier side- this one has one super steep hill that makes you think about the houses along the incline- "how do they bring groceries back?" However, most of the trail is flat- and I guess it's because you drive up a mountain to get there. Very small parking area by Strawberry Creek Rec Center- disregard the "no parking" sign- pretty ridiculous. Tips: To avoid some of the incline- you can go up the stairs by Lawrence Hall straight up to the Math Research building. You make up for the hills in stairs but at least you can walk downhill for most of the trail. Otherwise, you better stretch yo glutes! Beware bikers and pedestrians as you make your way via your vehicle towards the trail- narrow roadways. Wear layers- I swear, I alternated between hot and cold so many times! read more

Berkeley Fire Trails - Great views once the fog clears - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

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awesome trail that will give you a great workout and an AMAZING view once you get to the top. Trust me...the hard work will be worth it once you lay your eyes on the beautiful bay area skyline! The 7 mile trail has some steady gradual inclines with a few steep inclines. Wear a hat especially if you plan to hike this in the heat and make sure you bring plenty of water! It didn't take us more than 2.5 hrs round trip, with quite a few pit stops to enjoy the view! ;) Great hike in the heart of the east bay. Who says you have to travel far for a great hike? read more

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I stumbled upon these firebreaks when I was in college, and as many times as I've hiked it with friends or enjoyed a solo run, each experience makes me feel thankful for living in this part of the Bay Area. Beautiful hike. Just goes and goes. I suppose I could look up on a map to find the exact schematics, but I have ran for two hours straight with no end in sight. Best place to go for sunsets. It gets pretty chilly after 5 o'clock in the spring or winter. It's fairly littered with people, but not crowded at all. Lots of friendly people in small groups just minding their business and saying hi to each other :-) The best part of the hike/run is about a mile past the 60° angle (beast of a) hill. There is a bench made out of an old tree where the view overlooks San Francisco, Richmond, Emeryville, and a very distant Palo Alto. Beautiful. In the summer there are lots of wild raspberries, every once in a while you'll even see wild turkeys and deer! Great place read more

Berkeley Fire Trails - this is the best way to justify eating cheeseburgers all the time - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

Brought my dogs here on Thursday in the morning. Not too crowded. Found a good parking spot just next to the trailhead. Half of the trail is shaded and half of it are not. But overall, this trail is awesome. not muddy. at the beginning, there's a little bit elevation gain, but afterwards, it's all flat. The only con is that it's not a round-loop trail. Once you get to the destination, there's nothing too much to see and you have to go back via the same path. A little bit boring. read more

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You may shed a tear heading to the Berkeley Fire Trails as you notice that Memorial Stadium is being torn apart, row by row. Turn this sadness into a positive sensation by parking your car just up the road and heading uphill to soak in gorgeous views of the East Bay, Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, Alcatraz and more. Berkeley housewives and old couples run/hike alongside you as you make your way through the lush greenery and endless trees that resemble an anorexic Muir Woods. Head up a mile or so until you get to part where the trees open up a bit and let you see a bit more. At your first open sight of this incredible Bay Area, glance but don't stare. You don't earn that until you sprint up the 1/5th mile that humbles even a cocky punk like myself. Are you trying to shred? Mix up your cardio routine? This extremely uphill portion is my current obsession.....it's a truly difficult, sweaty, you're-gonna-breathe-heavy challenge. It's running uphill like this that will get you to your fitness goals. Or just to maintain your current physical weight, like The Educator. I have traveled up higher and higher, where the views become even more sexy and breathtaking. Run with caution this time of year (winter) as the rain has made these trails quite muddy and very much the slippery slope. I can't afford to get anymore: "Just A Note - My ass fell in the mud" - compliments. You have been warned. And Educated. read more

Best thing about this trail is that it is super dog friendly! There are trail posts that mark each mile. Also a nice hike to go on on a sunny day as there is ample shade throughout the trail. The paths are very wide. Just one very steep stretch. Lots of people run this trail, but you can also walk it. Great views of Berkeley as you walk along the trail- you can see the Lawrence Hall of Science, the Botanical Gardens, the Campanile, etc. read more

Great, I found it on Yelp. The main trailhead appears to be on Centennial Drive, a quarter mile from Memorial Stadium. There are no signs indicating that this is anything special. Frankly, it looks more like an improvised and illegal parking spot. It is legal, though, and it is open to the public except on game days. Just park here, go up the road a hundred feet, and start hiking. It's the sort of place where, after only a minute, you forget that you're on a world-famous university campus in one of America's major metropolitan areas. If you stay on the fire trail, it's not that hard. A few steep spots, but nothing major. Lots of joggers, many dogs, good for mountain bikes. But I also found the Woodbridge Grove, which has a few steep foot trails deep where the sun don't shine. No, I don't mean *that*, get your mind out of the gutter. I mean the trees are so thick that the land stays shady all day. A good place to hide, a good place to work those leg muscles. The last time I was on the trail, I kept going up and up and up, and I think I ended up in the Claremont Preserve. I wonder if the fire road ends up at Grizzly Peak Blvd. I look forward to more exploring in this area. read more

I hate working out! Because I have this problem I have to trick myself into exercising, and come up with alternatives to the gym. This happens to be one of them. The trail is a constant incline so it's a nice little burn when you get to the steepest part. The atmosphere is quite serene in the morning and the surrounding trees are beautiful. If you take a workout buddy and run your mouth the entire time like I do, you will be done with your workout in no time. Watch out for the out of control dogs, or shall I say the owners that don't control their dogs. I love dogs, but I don't appreciate strange, muddy pawed dogs jumping on me. Aside from that I think all that visit will enjoy the experience. I still hate exercising, but the Fire Trails make the task much more bearable. read more

I loved LOVED this trail! It's kinda hard to find! If you're coming down centennial, pass the botanical garden and park in the gravel parking lot you'll see shortly after the garden on your LEFT. The hike is wonderful! A lot of shade and some really gnarly hills. Bring water! The view at the top is breathtaking! read more

Berkeley Fire Trails - From the top - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

The fire trails run all over the Berkeley Hills. One entrance is on Centennial Drive, just east of Memorial Stadium. The trails are wide and the grade is pretty even, though gets very steep at points. There are lots of side trails, and beautiful views of the entire bay if you climb high enough. This is a great place to take your dog off-leash. It's also a good place for running, so I'm told. You might see wild turkeys wandering about if you're lucky. Beware of mountain lions and poison oak. read more

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I love the firetrails! It's a great place to run a hilly workout. The trail I believe is about 9ish miles from the start of the bottom to the very top (I may be wrong on that). You start at the bottom at the parking lot right before you hit the botanical gardens. The dirt trail goes up, and you'll hit the steepest part of the trail which Berkeley students like to call the connector. You can continue up this hill to stay on the firetrails or can make a right and run up the road that will lead you to the Clark Kerr/strawberry canyon hiking trail. The firetrails has beautiful scenic views and it a great place to get some fresh air and relieve some stress. I would watch out for banana slugs after the rain fall because you definitely don't want to step on one of those slimpy guys! The end of the trail if I can recall brings you to the lawerence hall read more

If you dare to make the full 7 mile loop, or even just a part of it in the beautiful hills of Berkeley/Oakland, this is absolutely the trail for you! One entrance is behind the Clark Kerr campus of UC Berkeley, but the mail trail starts above California Memorial Stadium just a little ways up Centennial. There will be a little parking lot on the right to park right next to the start of the trail. As you go up the trail, you'll wind around the canyon and encounter breathtaking views of Berkeley and the bay along with the beauty of the trail itself. Along the way there are lots of cut-offs to explore as well! My favorite is at the top of the long and STEEP incline about a mile into the trail (you'll know it when you see it). There's a beautiful trail along there to explore. The trail ends at the Lawrence Hall of Science, where you can either turn back around to complete the loop or just call an uber down to your car (something I do more often than I'd like to admit). The trails offer stunning views and a great leg and butt workout! If you're in the area, or are a Cal student looking for RSF alternatives I definitely would check out the BFT read more

My friends and I wanted to visit a couple of hiking trails in the East Bay and we were told to check out the Fire Trails. Of course, I checked the yelp page and it looked very nice! First of all, it is not easy to find.. we were looking for signs everywhere but ended up in a UC Berkeley parking lot and tried to hike around there, that did not work out. We then decided to drive around and ended up parking on the side of the street and walked around, we eventually found the entrance! The hike was very quiet, you are surrounded by trees and you can see the golf course from above. There were a couple of different trails but this is more a running trail. I wouldn't come back here to hike but definitely to run...if i ran read more

Berkeley Fire Trails - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

I did this hike a lot when I was in Berkeley. Other than the giant hill, it was a blast. A nice way to get some fresh air and kill a few hours when you need a break from studying. read more

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It's wonderful. note that there are two separated trails:"the lower fire trail" and the "upper fire trail". They are not connected( well maybe they are sort of, you could cross from the woods and the climb was gonna kill me so I gave up) The lower trial is flat, very suitable for running, and it's shorter. The upper trail offers a better view and it's steep at the beginning. read more

Berkeley Fire Trails - Some view from the trail - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

Probably my favorite hike in the East Bay. These trails have been popular with UCB students and faculty for a long time. I usually hike up from the parking lot on Centennial Drive about a half mile up from Memorial Stadium, but there is another entrance at the top from Grizzly Peak Road. There generally aren't a lot of people on the trails, just the occasional jogger or dog walker. The first mile is pretty easy walking, but then comes the "killer hill" (made famous by Dan Millman's Way of the Peaceful Warrior). The hill is actually quite short though steep, and at the top, you have the option of turning left and continuing to wind around till you eventually arrive at the Math Building above the Lawrence Hall of Science, or you can turn right onto the paved streets at the top of the killer hill. This will take you to a wonderful walk with panoramic views of the SF Bay Area. The actual fire trails walk towards the Lawrence Hall is much more woodsy, which is nice in its own way but is not as open and so does not really offer the spectacular views aforementioned except in spots. read more

I miss this place terribly! It's like a jogger's paradise. The terrain keeps things fresh and the course is pretty challenging. The center divider is a killer. I was pretty proud of myself and got a little emotionally high the first time I ran continuously up it (which soon to be devastated by a kid who was running it up and down repeatedly). And yes, the spectacular view of east bay + the golden gate (on a clear day). Perfect spot for a golden sunset to over the campanile. The trails are wide enough for people to safely walk about at night as well. Just make sure to carry a flash night if you are planning to do it. read more

Probably one of my favorite trails thus far! I've conquered some strenuous trails, and skipped through some not so challenging ones. Berkeley Fire Trails is probably, by far, the most versatile trail I've been on since I've moved to San Francisco. It started off nice and easy - l loved all the sounds of nature and water from the nearby spring. Then we hit the end of the beginners level. I take a break, I drink some water and I decide to continue on with the trail. I look up and I see this fairly steep incline for days. Oddly enough, it didn't look intimidating and people seemed to be gliding upwards without struggle. OH. But was I wrong. It was probably the worst uphill hike I've ever done in my life - and I've done quite a bit of training on steep streets (a.k.a. running from one end of California St to the other). It was worse going back down, be prepared! I would rate the rest of the trail a 3 out of 10 for intensity. Aside from the challenge, this trail puts you at the top of the hills - giving you the most breathtaking views of the bay area. I would suggest that this is a 'must' if you haven't checked it out yet. Oh, and one more tip - don't go after a rainy day. The mud is ridiculous! read more

Berkeley Fire Trails - Beautiful view - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

Fabulous for running, about 8 miles round-trip. Great work out and views, lots of straightaways.

When hiking, there are two requirements that must be met for me to have an enjoyable time. 1) Shade- I prefer not to burn in the sun. Thankfully, there were trees all around us. 2) Elevation- Gradual elevation change is fine, but no thanks to continuous hills It was a bit difficult finding where the trailhead starts and figuring out where to park. When we started, it was really cold, but as you head up higher it starts to get warm. The fresh air was invigorating. The hike itself wasn't difficult, but there is one killer incline. A lady who was jogging up put us to shame, while we were huffiing and puffing. There's a bench at the top for you to sit at while enjoying the view of the bay. It's supposed to be a 7 mile (roundtrip) hike, but we went through a shortcut and made it up and down rather quickly. read more

Just like everyone else said... you can park a little before the trail. A very small parking area. There's a sign right before the trail so it will lead you the right way. You walk up for a little bit on the trail, then go up a pretty steep hill. A bit further and you will find a nice little view. You can keep going all the way and down steps next to the left building down to the Lawrence Hall of Science. Then it's a walk along the windy street down to your parking spot. Could definitely make this a weekly routine for someone who likes to hike but not strenuously. read more

The fire trails were aptly named because of the in your lungs and thighs as you hike some of the steepest parts of this trail at a jogging pace. For first timers, allot .5 hour of buffer time of getting lost and wandering back to your home, unless of course you decide to hike back down the way you came - to which I say ... You need to add some adventure and uncertainty to your life so meander your way on (and off) the beaten path of the fire trails and take another route down. It's a really fun place to explore... I used to start my trek behind Cal memorial stadium (near strawberry canyon pool) and end somewhere in the Claremont hills or Clark Kerr. Seriously a must do for all Cal students! read more

Disclaimer: This trail itself definitely deserves a five star but I really do have take a star off because the trail is definitely a hard place to find. Trust me, I was fighting with my girlfriend for 45 minutes while looking for the entrance to this place. At one point I decided to just slam on my gas pedal and head straight home and just cry in bed because it was that hard to find. Due to persistence and mustering up a lot of courage in asking countless citizens who have never heard of the fire trails, we finally found the entrance of this beautiful trail. LOCATION: the entrance to the fire trail is between the swimming pools and the botanical garden ! If you head uphill there should be a pit on the right side where people can park their cars. There are signs that say no parking but don't worry about it - just park your car and it will be there when you finish your hike. The entrance is right in front of the pit and it is right next to the road. That's the entrance to the fire trails! If you pass Botanical garden then you have missed the entrance so turn your butt or car around and go back for a 150 yards. The trails itself was around 5 mile hike. From the entrance it will take you around 2 mile trekking to reach the connector. The connector is basically a very steep slope and it is considered to be the hardest part of the trail - don't give up though! After the connecter you will walk about 0.3 miles to reach a bench that gives you a nice scenery of the east bay! After passing the bench you can easily trek the whole 3 miles to reach the mathematical science center. There should be a narrow passage/stairs along side of the building if you keep walking ahead and by taking the wooden stairs you will be introduced to a whole new side of heaven. This view is much better than the one at the bench you will see. Definitely, you should give this view a 15 minute silence to just enjoy and reflect why you are so lucky to see a view that gorgeous and peaceful. RETURN BACK TO ENTRANCE: To get back to your car (if you drove) you walk down to the main road and you will see Lawrence hall of Science building a fountain, DNA and an awkward whale. Then, you follow the road downhill for 25 minutes to reach to your car. As you sit in your car remember to just reflect what happened during the entire trekking experience. It's definitely a great place to visit and deserves all 4 stars (if it was easier to find then my trip would be so much more awesome!). Questions about the trail? Send me a message! read more

We were looking for a nice place to walk in the hills off-leash with our little dog and for me to go on a nice Christmas run. We got both. Gorgeous views, lots of steep hills to run on, and even some Berkeley-style weirdness. A few guys running with their shirts off in 50-degree weather, one very burly intense guy with no shirt on and a backpack who looked like he was going off into the woods to do something desperate, it all just added to the experience. I have to come back sometime soon for some hill running or just plain dog walking. Great place. We approached from the Panoramic Way side and found parking right near the top, but next time we would probably just have come up Centennial Way - it's easier to drive up and park. But if you're a super hardcore hiker or runner, you could just come up Centennial from Berkeley. It's steep, though. read more

This is one of my top 3 favorite East Bay hikes. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because the parking on the centennial drive entrance is very limited(however you can park down the road by the stadium and walk up to the trail or park by the botanical gardens and walk down). The fire trails offer multiple routes to branch off the main path and you can make the journey as easy or difficult as you want. There's great diversity in plant life and the top of the viewpoint has arguably the best view in all the bay area from downtown Oakland to the SF skyline and the Golden gate and bay bridges. Highly recommend to anyone local or visiting. read more

Absolutely love the Fire Trails. It is the marriage of two of my favorite things - hiking and heights. I ended up hiking the entire trail my first time because the further I went (and the higher up I went) the more and more beautiful the view got. A few things to note is that: 1. There are plenty of trees so you'll be in the shade for about 60-70% of the hike. That being said, if you are hiking during the day you'll want to bring a pair of sunglasses because when you are in the sun it's extremely bright and hard to see. 2. That little "connector" area that everyone fears is actually not that bad. If you go off the trail to the right side there's an area with little steps which might make the walk up easier. Other than that just watch your breathing and take your time going up. 3. Bring a light jacket, especially if you are hiking after the sun has gone down. Anyone who lives in Berkeley is aware of how quickly the temperature drops. 4. Other things you might want to bring with you: cellphone, hat, camera, water and a hiking buddy (especially if you plan on going past the bench because the further you go the fewer and fewer people you'll encounter). I have yet to meet anyone who has hiked the Fire Trails and HASN'T loved it. Unlike other hikes I've done this one is not at all tiring...just very relaxing and great if you need to clear your mind or want to see Berkeley from a different point of view. More photos can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cassiexiong/sets/72157639997909104/ read more

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It was fun to check into the Berkeley Fire Trails on Yelp: "Is there bike parking nearby?" You bet! "Is it good for kids?" Absolutely! "Is there a parking garage nearby?" Well, actually there is one now: the Stadium garage. Let's hear it for public-private partnerships. (It's OK -- you can clap very softly.) "Do they accept credit cards?" I was waiting for that question, but it never came. It's no secret that the fire trails are wonderful for walking and running. The views are spectacular, and there's exercise for everyone. Check 'em out! If the staff were a bit better at filling our water bottles as we walked, I'd give this place an extra star. read more

"So what's the big deal about the Fire Trails anyway?" I had scheduled a run with my friend, Armie Van Buren, on a Friday evening. Unlike the EDM dude, Armie actually prefers meaningful things such as John Legend and a leisurely run with foodkid. "The road slopes up gradually, so you don't really feel it. But before long, we'll be really high up and we can look down upon the mortals of Berkeley like we're gods." Armie was right. It didn't feel like an uphill run, but my thighs were getting some legit incline workout. I looked down and saw that my shoes were brown with dirt. Darn these dirt roads, should've worn black trainers. "Armie, I think I like running the city streets better. You get to look at more people, shops, and city things." "Yeah, I like city running too. I call it 'explorunning', because you run while you explore. (lawlz) But I like this too because being surrounded by nature is pretty cool." We proceeded to huff and puff through several discussions about "explorerun", fake positives, and idealists. The conversations were not only enlightening, but talking through our run probably improved our cardio. Running with a friend is the best. After 45 minutes or so, we reached an elevation point where I learned why nature running can be cool. We were so high up that we were legitly looking down on Cal. We could see the population of trees stretch far and wide, wrapping around the Campanile as if they were readying themselves for a warm embrace. Beyond the Campanile were the blue waters of the Bay, and one could make out the distant shape of the greatness of the Golden Gate Bridge. "Damn Armie, I guess I do feel like an immortal." "Yeah breh, but I think we should start turning back to Manpuku, I'm getting hungry." (Armie Van Buren suffers from chronic hunger) "Ok. And I think I know why they call this the FIRE trails now." Armie raised his eyebrow inquisitively. "Cause our thighs will burn mañana." read more

Running through the fire trail is like running into a secret garden. Within a couple moments of passing the Strawberry canyon pool, the trail opens up and you are surrounded by lush greenery, the steady sound of a stream, and sunlight scattered by the trees. Even during the sunniest of days, there is enough foliage to keep the trail cool for your afternoon jog and the sun's glare from your eyes. And for those that like a good view, there's a nice bench at the very top to rest and take in the sights about 2 miles in. Beyond that, the trail ends and you will wind up near the tilden park golf course and after a few more blocks, grizzly peak rd. Before I found the fire trail, I was running west towards the Berkeley Marina. Not the best idea... I ran among traffic and next to the 80 freeway (super scary!), and almost died from getting lost because there weren't sidewalks and I didn't think to go back the way I came. After finding this trail, I've completely stopped looking for any other runs in Berkeley. My only qualm is the elevation gain. It's a beautiful trail, but it's tough on the knees to run every day. Note on elevation gain: According to mapmyrun, my starting elevation from home is 300ft and my end elevation is 1300 ft within 3.5 miles. But I since start my run a mile away from campus, the actual elevation gain for the trail should be around 800ft within the first 1.5 miles. [Wild] animal sightings: bees, banana slugs (watch your feet!), and dogs. read more

I had trouble finding this trail multiple times, so to find the trailhead, just drive up Centennial Drive and there's a small gravel parking lot. Park here, and then you can start the trail. The trail itself is a gradual ascent except for this one dirt incline. Great panoramic views, and it's not overly crowded, so you can really escape from the city. read more