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Briones Park's Lafayette Ridge

Lafayette, California

4.3/5
based on 3 reviews

Details

Distance

5.31 miles

Elevation Gain

981 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Kathy M

Just a 10-minute drive from Berkeley, Briones Regional Park is a 6,117 acre park in Contra Costa County. With its rolling, grassy hills and secluded, shady canyons. 4.5 mile hike roundtrip. After you tackle this one, be sure to come back to Briones as it has multiple hiking trails with low to moderate difficulty.

This is a nice and casual hike through the meadows and rolling hills, dotted with cows and hawks and sometimes goats or foxes. As you head up Lafayette Ridge, you'll be rewarded with the beautiful vista spanning from the Oakland Hills to sparkling Lafayette Reservoir. The hike is mostly through the hills but, if you decide to take a side tour to the top of peaks like Briones Peak, you can see some spectacular views. From the peak, you can take in Richmond, Mount Tamalpias, Mount Diablo, Walnut Creek, and Concord (see map link below).

One exciting piece about the park is that Briones is still used as pasture land for cattle herds, much as it was used in its early history as a working ranch. This makes it a nice backdrop to the hiking experience.

Here is a helpful park map in case you're looking for a longer or shorter hike: Briones Regional Park Map.

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Features

Hiking
Easy Parking
Picnic Area
Scenic

Briones Park's Lafayette Ridge Reviews

Nice little hike with panoramic views from the ridge. Fresh air, green grass, and cows grazing. Very peaceful.

When there today with my dog. lots of cattle for them to have fun with. Easy, short hike if you only have a few hours and a little out of shape

Be on the lookout for cows!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Lafayette Reservoir via Nature Area Rim Trail

Sugarloaf Open Space Loop

Southern Lime Ridge Loop

Castle Rock Trail

Muir Farm And Mount Wanda: John Muir Nature Trail

Run the Mt. Diablo Foothill Loop