One of those backyard discoveries that makes me question why it's taken me so long to actually get here. Welp... I finally made it here. And it is truly sensational. I've pretty much been all up, down, and around Tilden Park. But even with that, I always seem to discover trails that I've never hiked before. It's a huge park, so that makes total sense. Wildcat Peak was one of those recent discovery trails and vista points for me. I've always seen it on the park map, but you know when you get used to hiking on your favorite trails and you neglect all of the rest? That was me. I mean, that IS me. A creature of habit I guess. So on this very day, I decided to explore a different part of Tilden. Entered the park through the nature area and started near Jewel Lake on the Wildcat Creek Trail. This trail is super easy, flat, and partially paved. You'll pass by Jewel Lake along this trail. Turned right onto Sylvan and then left onto the Wildcat Peak Trail. This part of the Wildcat Peak Trail features switchbacks that incline up to the peak. It's a nice workout in general, but the views of the Bay is what makes this jaunt super enjoyable. Once you reach the peak, you'll have the most incredible views of the Bay Bridge, Briones Reservoir, San Pablo Bay, and Berkeley city views. There's a little brick barrier wall at the summit where you can sit and admire the views. It's 360 degrees of pure scenic bliss up there. From here, you can go back the same way you came up, or you can connect to another trail. I connected to the Laurel Canyon trail which looped me back around to the Tilden Nature area. There are so many vibrant wildflowers and plants nestled along this trail loop. The trail has a nice mix of covered and exposed paths. You'll pass through beautiful groves and notice the rampant wildlife on the trails. In the late winter and early spring, it's so incredibly green here. Wildcat Peak is such a gorgeous vista point within Tilden Park. I'd highly recommend the Wildcat Creek/Wildcat Peak/ Sylvan/Laurel Canyon trail loops. It's simply marvelous. read more

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It's hard to imagine that the bucolic fire roads in Wildcat Canyon and Tilden Park once connected the US military with missile radar stations and launch sites during the depths of the Cold War. Or maybe not given the escalating tensions we have with Russia. But back in 1962 during a moment of atypical calm, a stone circle was built by the Berkeley Rotary Club to allow people agitated by the Commies a meditative spot to take in panoramic, 360-degree views of the SF Bay Area to the west and San Pablo Reservoir to the east. Years later it's still a nice respite if it isn't crowded up here as it sometimes does on warm weekends. Most people walk on Nimitz Way, the mostly paved path from Inspiration Point, to get here. However, my favorite route starts on the Wildcat Creek Trail where I take the gradual climb on the Conlon Trail where you get the same bay views you get from the peak. Except maybe for a herd of unimpressed cows in your way. I then descend on the zig-zaggy Wildcat Peak Trail back to Wildcat Creek. Gee, I sound like an actual hiker, don't I? RELATED - Up for a hike? Here's a collection of trails I've walked and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2OrC8nU read more

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This is my go-to place when I want a quick cardio workout in nature after work. From the parking lot to Wildcat Peak RT is 3.75 miles (a mile of it is on the flat Wildcat Creek Trail, the rest goes uphill on trails- follow the Peak Trail symbol which looks like a mountain). There is one water fountain along the Wildcat Creek Trail. NOTE: The parking lot closest to Wildcat Creek Trail shuts at 8:00 p.m. so plan your hike accordingly. It's a consistent uphill climb to the top (elevation: 1,250 feet). There is a circular stone observation plaza at the top (finished in 1962), a great place to catch your breath and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. If the weather cooperates, you'll have a spectacular view in any direction: the San Francisco Bay, Mt. Tamalpais, Angel Island, San Pable Reservoir, Mt Diablo, and the three bridges: Golden Gate, Richmond Bridge and Bay Bridge. Enjoy! :) read more

Wildcat Peak - Plaque on the wall of the Peace Grove Lookout - Hiking Near Me - Berkeley, California

Wildcat Peak is one of my new favorite discoveries! You can park at Inspiration Point and walk 2 miles to the peak. The elevation is relatively level minus a small stretch of incline towards the end. The 360 view from the top is amazing and you can look out into the bay on the west and to the rolling hills in the east. If you need a break, there is plenty of seating from this circular stone structure. There are pockets of the trail where you can find shade if the sun and heat gets too unbearable. Also it was a great treat to spot at least 5 wild rabbits and 2 groups of quails. I would love to hike here again soon! read more

Just did the hike up from the environmental center this past Sunday (Wildcat Peak Trail then back down using Laurel Canyon Trail). Boy it was muddy but it added to our adventure, seriously though you could not see your shoe at certain points and it was a gradual uphill the whole way. I would suggest waiting a few days after the rain to take this path. The nice thing though about the rain is that you could see all the animal foot prints. We came across some raccoon and deer tracks and some unknown very large hoofed animal. Be sure you check out the groove when you get close to the top, probably the only place you will see George Bush and Mother Teresa's name next to one another. You will know that you are in the grove when you see some very large Christmas Trees. On the hike down be sure to check out all the animals at Little Farm - sheep, cows, chicken's, geese, bunny's and huge pigs! read more

Wildcat Peak - Wildcat Peak Trail - Hiking Near Me - Berkeley, California

Wildcat Peak is a great vista and rest point on a few Tilden Regional Park hikes. My favorite option to get up here is by hiking from the Nature Area, taking the Laurel Canyon Trail. A stop at the Peak rewards you with 360 degrees of Bay Views, San Francisco, Mount Diablo and Wildcat Canyon park to the east. There is a stone structure you can sit and rest on. To complete my loop, I then take the Peak trail back down to the Nature Area. Another way to get up here is simply parking at Inspiration Point and take the Nimitz trail-that is flat and paved most of the way until you see signs about 1.75 miles in indicating that Wildcat Peak is off to the left. Both pathways to the Peak feature rewarding views, changing scenery and all the gorgeousness that is Tilden. The Nimitz trail is a bit easier while Laurel Canyon is more of a true hike. Be careful, though. In the rainy season Laurel Canyon and the Peak trail back down are super muddy. Either way, the trip up here is one of the great short hikes in the East Bay and worth a visit for the journey and the views up top! read more

Great variety of trails. Love the hills and seeing cows, wild turkey, deer, owls, hawks and coyotes. Small hikes from 1-2 miles to getting into Tilden & Conlon trail, you can easily make a 14-16 mile hike. Great in late fall, winter and spring. My go to hiking place. read more

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I made the hike up to the peak on a Monday afternoon in search for an excuse to brush some dust off of my camera. The first half of the hike up was more scenic and lush forest that turned a little more dry and plains like in the middle (this is where a lot of lizards start appearing). If you're like me and have a terrifying fear of reptiles, you might want to bring a friend or refrain from the latter part of the hike. But if you do decide to continue on as I did, the view from the top is absolutely breathtaking and totally worth it. And for those who care about cell phone reception, there isn't any from the parking lot until about 3/4ths of the way up towards the peak. read more

Wildcat Peak - Panoramic of the view from the top - Hiking Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Best 360 degree view in Tilden! Volmer peak is taller, but it has a radio building blocking a true 360 view. read more

Wildcat Peak - San Francisco at twilight before a meteor shower tonight from some disbanded ice from Hayley's comet :) - Hiking Near Me - Berkeley, California

This is a great place to enjoy a 360 degree vista to see San Francisco, the nearby San Pablo Reservoir, and other views. Getting here involves a very enjoyable and scenic stroll along the paved Inspiration Point trail and then a short steep climb up the Wildcat Peak trail just under two miles out from the parking lot. Also, you can get here via a more strenuous hike from the Tilden Environmental Center using an assortment of trails and eventually going up the Wildcat Peak trail or the Tilden fire trail (correct name?). This latter option involves over 500 feet of elevation gain in just over one mile. read more

The hike up and the view at the top made my day. This was a perfect hike in many ways. It was a decent length to get a workout but not too long that it felt like a strenuous hike. We started near the farm to check out the animals and then made our way up. We first passed a small lake, then made it through a forest of eucalyptus trees, and as we got closer to the top we started to see more views of valleys. And of course once you get to the top the 360 degree view is priceless. Make sure you do this on a somewhat clear day. read more