Sibley Sensations

Hike Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve

Here’s a perfect fall hike that could easily become a new tradition. Make your way to Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve in the Oakland Hills for a 3.5-mile (round-trip) hike alongside the East Bay’s 10-million-year-old volcano.

Start on the Bay Area Ridge Trail (it’s the only dirt trail behind the parking lot). Quickly descend into a valley blanketed by deciduous trees and undergrowth.

Hike Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve

At the end of the trail, follow the pedestrian-only section of Old Tunnel Road, ascending a nearby peak. As you climb, pivot to enjoy views of the valley: Fall colors are in good form this time of year.Approaching the end of the road, be sure to take a right to avoid the fenced-off landslide section, and continue onto the Volcanic Trail and take a seat on one of the benches to let the scenery soak in. On clear days you’ll see the Marin Headlands overtop the nearby Oakland Hills.

Continuing on, be sure to take a moment to read the information on the markers, each describing a piece of the area’s geologic history. Keep to the right on the Volcanic Trail as you enter the section of trail bordered by chaparral. Be sure to take a good look around because—you’re hiking on a dormant volcano! Known as Round Top, the volcano is one of the East Bay’s highest peaks, formed by massive tectonic forces on the Hayward and Moraga faults that uplifted the Berkeley Hills.

Hike Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve

Stay on this trail until the finish.

The hike begins at the Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve’s parking lot off Skyline Blvd. Water and bathrooms are available at the parking lot. Dog-friendly!

__

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Hike top Angel Island Mount Livermore San Francisco Bay

    Good Heavens

    The 4-mile hike to the top of Angel Island offers Bay-mazing scenery. Some people claim you get a five-bridge view: Richmond-San Rafael, Bay, Golden Gate, San Mateo-Hayward, and Dumbarton bridges.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View