This is a very easy shaded trail but you have to pay for it with...The Hill. It is indeed super steep, but it's nothing anyone in reasonable shape can't handle. The view at the top is worth it. Trust me. Bring water and a little glucose and you'll be fine. After the hill, you can turn around or continue on to more hills for extra pain. Just map your route back to civilization unless you want to get lost. Trust me on that, too. read more

To give you some idea of the distances: .75 miles from dirt parking lot to the connector 1 mile from connector to the bench overlooking berkeley 1.75 miles from bench to the other paved parking lot near Lawrence Hall of Science Total is 3.5 miles from parking lot to parking lot. read more

Hello nature! So nice to hang out with you again! If you take a moment to imagine that you are thousands of miles away from home, this trail really gives rise to that illusion. If the sun's shinning, what better way to start off your day than with some SPF on your skin as you take a 7 mile walk/jog and work out those quads and calves through some unpredictable inclines. This trail is scenic, dog friendly (please bring your own doggy bags in case your dog uses the restroom. That's my biggest pet peeve, owners who ignore their dog's feces...urrgghhh!) and ideal for catching up with a friend. Exercise + nature + catching up = win win! On a sunny day, don't dodge the outdoors..embrace it here! Some words of advice: wear old running shoes, i promise they will be covered in dirt at the terminal and prepare to look for parking..which doesn't come easy. read more

This is one of the few places that I have found that I am able to take my dog jogging with me off-leash. He loves it! My dog and I usually encounter a handful of other dogs each time we come, and we haven't come across any that are too out-of-control. The incline makes me feel like I'm getting a really good workout, and even though I love jogging outside, the dirt trail is a little easier on my joints than asphalt. Also, the trail is mostly shaded so it keeps me nice and cool when I'm super sweaty. Just beware of the 8-inch long slugs along the trail, I almost stepped on one the last time I went. read more

Best Run Ever. It's probably about 7 miles up to the labs and back, from the parking lot. I def see those wild turkeys, in fact I saw some this morning. yeah that's right, I get up at 6 am and run to the bench. I totally had a stare down with a male turkey this morning while he was watching his female turkey lovers. I love those turkeys, they look tasty everytime! You can also see deer, harmless snakes and plenty of rabbits and some sweet sweet looking banana slugs, please try not to step on them if they're in the middle of the trail. You can also see some awesome looking wild animal poop. Dog poop, not so cool, I love the the doggies on the firetrail but make sure you bring a poop bag. Great blackberry picking. Careful though I got bit by something nasty a couple weaks ago. 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

Dog friendly and with fantastic views! The upper fire trail was popular but the crowd thins out towards the top. Being outside and hearing the faint, garbled closing announcements of the botanical gardens makes you feel like you're in the Hunger games. We picnicked at a nice vista point and enjoyed the view before meandering back down through the Woodbridge Melcale grove. Would grove again. read more

Berkeley Fire Trails - View from the top - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

Starts off with a steady incline. I was running up the hill and thinking to myself, "Not too shabby. Nice workout." But the ways of nature tend to trick us. The trail suddenly becomes a super steep hill. Trust me. You feel the burn. Maybe that's why it's called the Fire Trails. But it's a lot of fun. And anyone in the area who's into hiking, jogging/running, exploring, etc. should check it out at least once. read more

Great hiking trail! I used to live down in Shattuck and I walked up Hearst Ave, entered the campus through northside, encountered the stadium and then continue a few more feet up to enter the Fire Trails. The walk is actually longer than it sounds. The trail by itself is not that steep except in one part. That part is so steep that coming up is a lot of workout but coming down you just had to be careful not to trip and roll down. After that big hill, you can continue walking some more until you get a nice view of the bay and the Golden Gate. Then the trail goes on and on. But since I had to walk back I had to turn back and I don't know where exactly the trail ends. If you go on a weekday, you can take the H line University shuttle from Evans Hall so to save some energy going up. I think it makes one stop before going to the Botanical Garden and you can get off there. read more

I've been on the fire trails for both day and night hikes, and they are incredible. The trails are close enough to campus and the city of Berkeley to be accessible, but they're also a nice way to escape the day-to-day. The hike is easy to do, relatively short, and affords you stunning views of the bay. This is a great beginner's hike. Some areas are steep, but most of the trail is a mild to moderate uphill. If you're hiking them for the first time, make sure you set aside a couple of hours and bring a water bottle. Don't forget sunscreen, or a light jacket and headlamp if you're hiking at night. read more

This UC Berkeley open space is my favorite place. I've been photo-documenting it for a couple of years now, and you can find my main photo sequence here: http://bapd.org/hamilton-gulch-long-sequence.html The sequence starts out through campus. Then it heads up narrow trails off of Canyon Road by the stadium. Those narrow trails avoid walking along Centennial Drive to the official trail head, though they're a little tricky. Then it backs up and shows the usual route from the official trail head, and heads up more narrow trails to the up-and-down fire trail along Panoramic Ridge. It ends up returning along the Upper Jordan fire trail (most popular with runners). I'm trying to use these photos to turn more people onto it. (Signing up to yelp only now so I can add this link ...) read more

Oh yes, a decent hiking/running trail not too far away from home. Came here for the first time yesterday morning. My fiance and I arrived around 7:30am, easily found parking and went on our early morning hike. I loved every moment of the hike, enjoyed the scenary and got a kick out of running innto cucumber slugs crossing the trail. Dayem their huge! Next time, I'm definately going to run the trail. So happy I found the Berkeley Fire Trail on YELP. read more

Went hiking with a friend on a Saturday evening to cool off. We have been looking for a WHILE and decided we had to find it...and we did! It is a little hidden and takes a while to get to especially if you live on southside. But regardless, it was a really good experience! Pros: -Lots of good hills, making it a fantastic place to work out. It's not too steep, except for one RIDICULOUSLY steep area, which you really should just walk on or you may stumble and fall. -7 miles to get to a gorgeous view--totally worth it! Cons: -Not as scenic while you hike. I was a huge fan of Tilden when I went hiking there because the trails were beautiful and there was nice scenery even while you hiked not just near the end. Overall, a great trail though! My friend and I jogged most of it at a comfortable pace, talking to each other, and it was a perfect place to catch up while getting a workout in. Tip: Bring water and beware of all the flys and bugs. I had a couple mosquito bites when I was back. I will definitely be returning soon--can't believe this is my first time going after 3 years in Berkeley! read more

Semi-challenging hike/run, but definitely worth pushing yourself through. Go with a buddy as it can get a bit deserted in some parts, and it helps to have a friend with you when you're figuring out where in the world the entrance is. Be patient, you'll find it! Make sure to bring water because the trail is a bit long. The view is really nice if you make it far enough up. Otherwise, the huge number of trees make you feel like you're away from school and the city and reinforce that feeling of immersing yourself in nature. :) As a side note, if you happen to be a Cal student and take the Spider Biology class (which I strongly recommend :D), this trail is great for finding all kinds of interesting spiders in the plants and wooden railings. And for those not taking the class but arachnophobic, never fear! You really have to look for the spiders to find them. You'll be safe. ;) read more

Berkeley has this gem which easily outpaces the Stanford dish. Not much parking at trailhead proper. Better to park near Frats and walk up (street parking) or park in Strawberry Canyon Rec. Center lot (paid or permitted) and use trail on South side of Centennial. No water either, so come prepared on a warm day. Views along top of trail are spectacular! If you're feeling ambitious, connect to trails in Tilden Regional Park for even more fun. read more

Love this trail!!! First off, this trail is scenic with a lot of trees. There are a couple of steep paths but are avoidable. I would say it is about 4 miles there and 4 miles back according to Map My Run. It is dog friendly however I was a little afraid when my pup started playing/chasing another dog, I thought he was going to fall off! Luckily majority of the cliff isn't that steep. We were debating whether to go the Mission Peak in Fremont and chose the Fire trail instead. I definitely enjoyed this one better. It's "easier" but longer and more enjoyable. Would go on this trail many more times! read more

Excellent trails and a great location for a hike to burn off some calories going up the canyon. Yet another wonderful urban park that is incredibly accessible to those of us who live in the dense urban East Bay - we are so fortunate to have these types of places preserved for our enjoyment! Get out there and hit the trails! read more

How does everyone not give this fire trail a 5. its ridiculous to me that anyone who has been to it hasn't given it a 5. I recently graduated from berkeley and when I think back at what are some of the great things about going to school here, I think the fire trail will be up there in the top ten. Nothing mellows me out like strapping on my running shoes and cruising up in the serene strawberry canyon. Super fresh air, incredible views of the bay area. moderate to challenging terrain. One of the best running spots in the world as far as I'm concerned. read more

After all this time at Berkeley, I can't believe I just recently discovered this amazing trail. When I first started running this, it was pretty tough. But of course with all things, it gets easier with time. A lot of uphills, especially at this part call the "Connector," which is definitely a calf killer. I like running on dirt paths too, definitely better than the harsh concrete pavements. I usually run up to behind Memorial Stadium, run past the temporary football bungalows, past the Strawberry Canyon pool, and shortly thereafter, the trail "officially" starts. My friend told me there are these little off-trails too, but I haven't dared wander my way around. A few times, I ran all the way to the Lawrence Berkeley Lab, but from there, I pretty much just walk back down. With a prior knee injury, I definitely do not like running downhills, ESPECIALLY on pavement. A few weeks ago, I also saw signs everywhere saying there were mountain lion sightings. Those days, I ran only past the connector a little bit, and decided against my good judgment to run further into the hills to be eaten by mountain lions. I always run by myself too, and as a girl, I DO sometimes get paranoid about the fact that there are rapists and psychos lurking in the woods out there to get me. hahaha BUT, I figured that'll just give me motivation to run faster if I do encounter them. Overall, I love this trail and the GORGEOUS views that I get to see. Plus, what's better than some good nature bonding with fresh air! read more

I love the fire trails... Used to be a great place for an early morning jog or even a short hike for that matter. Peaceful, relaxing and refreshing. Doesn't get any better than this read more

I'm a fan of hiking trails since they are great for trail running! Berkeley Fire Trails has many steep hills if you need to train for hill climbs. View from the top is very nice which you can get from taking different trails. The overall distance is around 7 miles. Parking can be difficult, so go early. We parked near campus and ran up. Happy Hiking/Running! read more

We went there after eating Zachary's Pizza and Ici ice cream. Yup, time to burn off those calories! Drive up behind the stadium and go to the Strawberry Canyon Reserve. Park and start walking! About 10 minutes in, you can take a shortcut to your left that goes through the redwood forest. We did that on the way up (and took the normal trail on the way down). I really enjoyed the part through the redwood forest (warning, it is a bit steep and less maintained). The trail forks a lot, and we weren't sure where each fork went. We just kept walking until we got as high as we could, and then turned back. I hear the view is stunning, but unfortunately, when we went, it was very foggy. We still enjoyed the rigors of the trail, though. read more

A true gem right next to the UC campus. Very accessible for people without a car. While the trail is a tad too busy on the weekends, the last portion close to the mathematical science building becomes more serene. You could also combine this with the Claremont canyon fire trails to make a nice loop. Highly recommended. *Here is the a link to the map of the full trail from behind the Cal stadium to the Mathematical Science Building- http://6pm.in/?giowyz & corresponding topographical information http://6pm.in/?efwukp. Up there at the end of the trail, you can either take the BearTransit H line down during the weekdays, or turn left on Centennial Dr & walk a couple minutes along the Centennial towards Lawrence Hall of Science to catch Line 65, which takes you down along Euclid all the way to north campus & downtown BART station. ** If you are going for the whole trail, you should definitely walk a few minutes more to the Mathematical Science Institute. There's a small walkway to the right of the building, where you get the most gorgeous panoramic view ever. There's also free wifi for visitors. Alternatively, you could also just stroll down centennial to the parking lot of Lawrence Hall of Science. read more

Good hills to run and hike with great views of the city. On a clear day you can see as far as South San Francisco. If you haven't paid a visit it's definitely worth the time. Check it out! read more

Definitely a good workout! The 5 stars goes to the intensity of the workout! So if you want to get your sweat on, I recommend this trail on a nice, hot, sunny day like we did. The mile 7 mile trek will make you glad you skipped the gym and enjoyed a day in the sun. We were looking for a nice trail with amazing views while getting a good sweat in. The Berkeley Fire Trails delivered!! It took us about 3 hours to complete but we did stop a lot to take pictures. Easily could be done in 2.5 hours. There is a small spot for parking right before the trail begins but we parked adjacent to the stadium that is under a lot of construction right now. Not sure if there is any other place to park but we did see some cars in a dirt lot right before the trail. Iwill definitely attempt to do this trail again, the only downfall is that return trip back to the starting point consists of just a turn around and do the trail again but in the opposite direction. I prefer trails that loop around in a circle so you don't have to see the same sights again. read more

Berkeley Fire Trails - The first VERY steep hill - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Mainly constant incline in the beginning. Then long and very steep climb. Then turns into a fairly flat trail. At various point on the trail, you get BEAUTIFUL views of the bay and city of Berkeley. Bring a camera if it's your first time and you're just hiking. Then at one point, you have a choice - keep going on the flat trail, or turn right onto a steep trail. 2 minutes into the steep trail, you come to a crossroad - turn right and you'll start going downhill in a bit. Keep going straight and it goes downwards immediately (towards where - I don't know.) Turn left, and climb up another very long and steep and rocky trail. *I would not recommend this unless (1) you want to see really really pretty scenery of the whole bay, without trees blocking your view (2) you are not afraid of going downhill (on the way back) on a very rocky and slippery slope (3) you are looking for a challenge (4) you want to feel like you're on top of the world At the end of the trail, assuming you entered from the Strawberry Canyon way, you reach Lawrence Hall of Science. Very gorgeous view from there, as well. :) read more

My favorite part of the Berkeley Fire Trail is that it leads to another totally awesome trail. About 20 minutes into the hike, take the first right on what looks to be another unmarked trail. It cuts up to Panoramic Way. Go right at the top and enjoy the unobstructed *panoramic* view of Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco. Just around the bend are a series of logs for sitting, walking, climbing, and general funning. I'd recommend a nice sunset hike with coconut juice boxes, sandwiches, and good company. Now, explore! :) read more

Absolutely in love with these trails. When you make it to the top - there's a nice bench to rest on & the view is incredible!!! read more

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One of the best hikes around Berkeley, you can either go for the full hike (quite a workout I must say), or take the shortcut and get to the top of the hill. Very dog friendly and scenery/shade to jog in. Parking is pretty tough at the base of the hike, and there aren't many spots. I would recommend parking near campus and walking up to the beginning of the hike instead. read more

Parking is a nightmare but if you wait a few minutes someone usually leaves. Great hike, few people, lots of shade and a view that you can't beat. Awesome! read more

This trail is always a fun adventure, the only gripe I would have would be that the parking situation is small, but the hiking experience definitely outshines that. If you're feeling even more adventurous, maybe half a mile after you get past the steep straightaway, there is an unmarked trail short cut that goes up the side of the hill. It is very steep and the dirt is very loose, so take caution and wear shoes with good grip. It definitely added some zest to the hike, and once you reach the top, you're back on the trail. Once there, it's only a couple more minutes until you reach a gorgeous panoramic view of the bay. Overall, a quality hiking trail that serves up a good leg workout and fantastic views. read more

Amazing trail with great views. Parking can be a bit tough, but the hike/run is worth it. This will give you a great workout and quiet away from the city. read more

I love this trail. At one point I had conquered the steep incline, or "connector". But that was 6-7 yrs ago in my early 20's. After moving out of town for some yrs I am back and it's kicking my butt now at 30. Good workout, great place to begin trail running. The 1st two miles are the "hardest" if you're out of shape. It is a steady ascent until you get to the very steep one. During the fall it tends to get very slippery due to loose dirt, the connector that is. The one thing that I absolutely hate now is the fact that there is no parking 95% of the time. No matter what time of the day- weekday or weekend there are cars everywhere. 6 years ago it was only sometimes that the parking space would be packed now it is all the time. People even park where they are not suppose to due to fire safety. I guess more people took over Berkeley . read more

I like to get my booty whipped, particularly by the Berkeley Fire trails. This is my go-to trail run when I need: -a run that satisfies my thirst for sweat -peace of mind -a fabulous view of the bay The pooch (AJ) and I visit as often as 3x a week and enjoy every minute of our getaway. As far as parking goes, it can be a pain on a weekday, so imagine how it is on a weekend. I suggest getting there early to beat the crowd. In my opinion, early trail runs are one of the best ways to jump start your day. Running trails win by a landslide when comparing it to running on a treadmill at a gym. Plus, I like listening to the running water in the stream, breathing in fresh air (instead of warm, sterile sweat), and hearing birds chirp in the am. Whether you decide to take a leisurely walk or run it, the trail itself is wide and free of erosion. Anyone is capable of having a great, comfortable time here. The trail starts at the parking lot, meanders through a stream, and has several uphill areas, especially towards the end. There is a huge steep area that grants you clear views of the bay. I dare you to run it. I can only scamper about a quarter of it, followed by lunges all the way up. It kicks my arse. AJ seems to be the only living being I've seen run the damned hill. Who needs a personal trainer when you've got a dog like him? Along the way, there are several trails to choose from, whether you want to walk amongst the trees, go higher towards the Berkeley Botanical Gardens, or the Claremont Regional area to feel the burn. Prepare to choose your own adventure. I will continue to make the trek as often as I can, because after all, summer will be here in a heart beat, and not only that, but it's crucial for me to preserve the little sanity I have left. read more

Took me forever to figure out how to get on the Fire Trails and what route to take once on it since there are so many offshoots and shortcuts. When I'm in the mood for a medium-length, challenging run, I do the entire Fire Trails which is about 7 miles. I go behind the stadium and turn into the street going up to the Botanical Garden. It's a narrow, rocky path alongside Strawberry Canyon Road (especially when people are passing to go the other way) until the small parking lot. That's where the entrance is. After curving up, you'll hit what's known as The Connector which is the steep part of the path that lasts a good while. I walk up The Connector backwards to work my calves AND to enjoy the breathtaking view the entire way up. The next marker is The Bench which is about half way through the path and is another great spot to stop, stretch, and enjoy the view. After that, the running's easy. You basically keep going until you hit the math buildings, walk down the street (watch out for cars) and run alongside the road until the Lawrence Hall of Science. Keep on going past the Botanical Garden and you're back on the original street you first embarked on! Seriously, orgasmic experiences!!! read more

The fire trail is a mandatory hike/run for every Cal student in my opinion. Gorgeous views of the bay right by campus. Freshmen, don't miss this! read more

I run these trails pretty often - either alone or with my boyfriend. The best time to go is about 45 minutes before sunset, that way you get to watch it from the bench near the *BALLER* overlooking the entire bay. I don't think you can get a panoramic like that anywhere else in Berkeley. Even if you don't want to jog it, its worth the hike. I think these trails make Berkeley even more awesome because they're accessible from campus. Just walk up past the football field and past Strawberry Canyon Pool and before you know it, you're having a valid Nature Experience! read more

Pretty amazing trail. It was a little confusing to find and research on the internet, but yeah, it's along centennial road, between Memorial Stadium and the UC Botanical Garden. There's a small dirt parking lot where you can park for free (or you can park by memorial stadium and pay $), and right next to it is where the trail starts. It's about 3+ miles one way, and the fire trail basically ends somewhat abruptly by the parking lot of one of the UC's science/research buildings. About 15 minutes into the run there's this trail called the connector or separator that connects the lower trail and upper trails, and it's a really steep couple hundred yards. Otherwise, the gradient of the trail is a pretty moderate clumb.There's about 2 trails that branch off from the main trail, which I didn't get a chance to explore, but I believe they're just a part of the network of fire trails in those hills. Anyway, the views are gorgeous, and it's really peaceful. I went at sunrise around 6:45, and it was cold, but quiet, peaceful, and beautiful. It took me about 1:15 to jog there and back (about 6-7 miles, I think). On a scale of 1-10, i'd give it a 7 in difficulty, due to the length and gradient. Also, I'd recommend getting good trail running shoes, esp if you go in the rainy season and the trail is kind of muddy. Or if you have the time, you can have a picnic with people. There's a few areas right off the trail that look like a nice place to sit and enjoy the scenery. read more

I run pretty frequently and as a Berkeley undergraduate student I tend to look for new paths that are exciting, yet comfortable. The Berkeley Fire Trails are absolutely amazing, whether you desire a long walk, an intense run by yourself, a jog with some friends, or a stride with your pet. I can also attest to the friendly people who will help you out if you get lost or need directions. My second time running the trails I desired more of a challenge so I asked this guy who was stretching for a layout of the trails and he was more than happy to suggest some workout-intensive routes. read more

This is arguably the best place to hike in Berkeley. Aside from one really steep stretch about 20 minutes in, it's not a strenuous trail at all. You can get to the top in an hour where you get an incredible view of the Bay Area on a clear day. Actually, even on a foggy day it's worth the hike up to see the city covered in fog and the clouds creeping in towards Berkeley. A lot of joggers like to frequent the trail which leads me to believe that it's a good place to run. Personally, I prefer to take life slower with a nice, peaceful walk. (Or maybe I'm just lazy.) read more