There are over ten miles of hiking trails at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve. The trails range from easy to moderate and wind through woodlands, grasslands and chaparral plant communities. Several trails offer magnificent bay and mountain views.
Let’s all be good park visitors! Be sure to hike single file on narrow trails, and also be extra careful not to leave litter on the trails.
Most trails are open for equestrian use. The Sylvan trail is a non-equestrian-use trail popular with hikers and joggers.
Bikes and pets are not allowed in Edgewood Park. Please respect your fellow trail users and the plants and animals in these unique communities.
Download a black & white trail map (PDF).
Download a color trail map (PDF).
Baywood Glen Trail 0.6 miles
Beginning 0.1 miles past the picnic area at the base of the park, the Baywood Glen Trail is a series of eight switchbacks that runs 0.6 miles up an average 8% grade. The trail weaves through dense and shady oak woodland, home to several species of spring-blooming flowers and blooming vines, and emerges at the top of the grade onto the Franciscan Trail and the serpentine grasslands that cover much of Edgewood Park. Horses are not allowed on Baywood Glen Trail.
Clarkia Trail 0.9 miles
The Clarkia Trailhead lies to the south of the park, off Cañada Road, about a half mile south of the Edgewood/Cañada Road intersection. Limited roadside parking is available. Clarkia Trail is the only trail that traverses the southern end of the park, starting in grassland and then transitioning into warmer, more shrubby chaparral with blooming annual plants and shrubs. There is a photogenic rock outcropping approximately 0.3 miles up from Cañada Road. Clarkia Trail ends in a junction with the Sunset Trail near the Sunset Trailhead.
Day Camp Trail 0.2 miles
The Day Camp Trail circumnavigates the Day Camp area, providing
access to picnic sites and the restrooms.
Edgewood Trail 2.1 miles
The Edgewood Trail runs roughly east to west on the northern side of the park and can be accessed from the main parking lot. Taking the trail from the main parking lot on the northeastern end of the park, your first half mile is a strenuous climb up a 9.5 average grade, beneath dense and shady oak woodland. You can connect with the Sunset Trail or the
Ridgeview Trail at the western kiosk.
Franciscan Trail 1.4 miles
The Franciscan Trail connects the Edgewood Trail to the Ridgeview Trail, enabling visitors to experience chaparral, grassland, and woodland habitats. There are two benches along this trail—one with views of the bay and the other overlooking grassland.
Live Oak Trail 0.6 miles
Live Oak Trail travels along the northern side of Edgewood Park’s 875-foot crowning ridge. The north side of the ridge is more wooded than the south ridge, so there’s more shade. Once you’re atop the ridge, the terrain is relatively flat except at the northwestern corner where a steep grade connects Live Oak Trail to the Franciscan Trail. The Live Oak, Franciscan, and Ridgeview Trails form a loop, allowing hikers to circle the entire crest of the ridge.
Old Stage Road 0.7 miles
Approach Old Stage Road by turning right after you enter the park from the the outer parking lot (the lot nearest Edgewood Rd.) but before you reach the Bill & Jean Lane Educational Center and the inner lot. The first half of the trail presents a steep climb up a well manicured gravel surface under shady oak canopy, after which you will emerge onto the rolling serpentine grasslands of the park. The path intersects the Franciscan Trail and ends at a junction with Serpentine Trail.
Ridgeview Trail 0.7 miles
The Ridgeview Trail traces the sunny southern side of Edgewood Park’s 875-foot crowning ridge and offers spectacular vistas of the serpentine grasslands below. To the south, beside I-280, lies an off-trail butterfly habitat, which because it is regularly mowed to encourage growth of native food plants for the butterflies, explodes with especially vivid splashes of yellow and gold flowers. The trail ends with a 0.1-mile climb to “Inspiration Heights,” situated on the southeastern end of the ridge, where hikers may enjoy views of the San Francisco Bay, from Mt. Diablo and Mt. Hamilton in the east to the Santa Cruz Mountain skyline ridge in the west. Combine the Ridgeview Trail with the Live Oak and Franciscan Trails to make a mile-long loop around the entire crest of the ridge.
Serpentine Trail 1.0 miles
Serpentine Trail traverses the center of the park from roughly east to west and follows along the northern base of Edgewood’s crowning ridge. The trail passes through thick golden grasslands, which in the Spring, bloom densely with colorful wildflowers, making this, along with the Sunset Trail, the premier flower-viewing area in the park. Starting at the Sunset Trail close to where it enters the park, the Serpentine Trail intersects with numerous trails before terminating at a junction with Edgewood Trail.
Sunset Trail 0.9 miles
The Sunset Trailhead lies on the eastern side of the park and is accessible from Hillcrest Way via a service road. The Sunset Trail rolls along the base of Edgewood’s main ridge on its southern side, passing through serpentine grassland at a fairly even grade. Late in the day, the trail earns its name as the low sun gilds the already golden slope of Edgewood Park’s main ridge. In the Spring, flowers bloom densely here, making this, along with the Serpentine Trail, the premier area in which to view Edgewood’s famous floral displays. Catch glimpses of Highway I-280 through the hills to the south. The trail ends at a junction with Edgewood Trail and Ridgeview Trail.
Sylvan Trail 1.1 miles
Starting at the picnic area near the inner parking lot, the Sylvan Trail ascends from the base of the park, weaving through a coast live oak and California bay woodland, which is home to many species of spring-blooming flowers and blooming vines. The path terminates in a junction with Serpentine Trail at the eastern side of Edgewood Park’s main ridge. Occasionally, at a location less than half a mile from the main trailhead, a seasonal creek spills over a large boulder and forms a ten-foot trailside waterfall. Equestrian use is not allowed on the trail.