Sunol
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Description: Within the East Bay Regional Park System, Sunol is the park that is furthest from any population center, which is perhaps why it was originally called a “wilderness”. In fact, cattle graze throughout the park and there are a significant number of visitors, making it far from a wilderness. Sunol contains 17 miles of trails open to bikes, which are 100% fire road. Most are dirt, some are gravel. Nearly all trails have strenuous climbs, but technical difficulty is low. Although there is just 1700 ft. of vertical elevation gain from the main entrance to the highest point in the park, the trails climb several times over various ridges, making a typical 10 mile ride between 2000-3000 foot of vertical climb. There is no meaningful 1000 Footer ride or Medium Ride. A particular challenge is a combination of Cave Rock trail and Cerro Este Trail that climb to Cerro Este peak, at 2200 ft., the highest point in the park. Several short sections of the climb are in excess of 18% grade. Other notable climbs are Vista Grande and the McGuire Peak Loop, both of which climb to points with outstanding views. From the McGuire Peak Loop Trail, a hiking trail that does not allow bikes ascends the last 190 feet of elevation to the top of McGuire Peaks. Sunol can be very hot in the summer and there is very little shade cover. Note that many of the trails have “road” in their name, but are not paved roads. Restrooms at park headquarters and at High Valley Barn.
In the Wet Season: Trails are open
Directions: Calaveras Rd exit from I-680 in Sunol. South on Calaveras Rd. to Geary Rd which dead ends in the park. A link to the parking location in Google Maps is here. Parking is usually available. Two entrances are also on Welch Creek Rd, but parking is very limited and a parking permit, which is obtained at the visitor’s center at the main entrance on Geary Rd, is required on weekends and holidays.