Full Review: Tilden Regional Park

This review covers a hilly two mile loop hike from the entrance located at the intersection of Grizzly Peak Blvd, Centennial Drive and Golf Course drive across the street from UC Berkeley Botanical Garden and Lawrence Hall of Science. Watch for the small brown Tilden Regional Park sign at the intersection and head down Golf Course Drive.  The parking lot holds 15-20 cars,  and it only 50 feet from the intersection.  Elevation from the trailhead starts at 1600 feet and the lowest point on this loop is about 1000 feet.  The loop takes you past views of Tilden golf course.

 

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  Intersection with park sign                     Parking lot

  

When you first start on the trail, you will see a fork in the road.  Take the right hand trail called Grizzly Peak Trail.  This trail is for hikers and equestrians only. The trail is gradually uphill and starts out exposed to the sun.  About one half of a mile later, there are some trees and a view of the ridge and the golf course.

 

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             Fork in the trail                 Grizzly Peak trail

 

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           Eucalyptus trees           Ridge view with California Bay trees

 

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                              Pine trees and shade

  

After a mile, there is another fork in the trail. Stay straight to keep on Grizzly Peak trial.  In just a few feet, you will come to another intersection, where you want to bear left to go to the Tower trail.  The Tower Trail is for hikers and equestrians only and takes you downhill where the trail becomes rocky and shady with many ferns and trees.  In about 300 feet, you will come to another intersection.  Stay left to stay on the Tower Trail where bicyclists are now allowed on the trail.  This trail is flat.  At the next intersection with a fire road, if you bear right, there are restrooms, drinking water and picnic tables.

 

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        Second intersection               Tower trail intersection

 

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             Downhill and foliage along path 

 

At the next intersection, on the right is the Golf Course Trail and to the left (where you want to go if you want a loop hike) is the Redwood Trail that is accessible to hikers, equestrians and bicyclists. The Redwood Trail takes you gradually uphill with redwood trees supplying shade.

 

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Redwood and Golf Course Trail intersection       Coast live oak trees

 

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                                           Redwood trail       

 

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View of the Tilden Golf Course                   Redwood trail

 

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