Mount Diablo State Park Trails

At 3849 feet, Mt Diablo towers over the valley. The view from the summit is truly impressive, second only to Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa in the total land area that can be seen from its peak. On a clear day Mt. Shasta to the north, the Farollon Islands to the west and Half Dome in Yosemite to the east can be seen with the naked eye. Current size of the park is in excess of 20,000 acres, with over 100 miles of trails. As in all areas, visitors are asked to please familiarize themselves with the rules and to follow them so that all will have continued access. If you would like to help make trail information available for Mt. Diablo, then Update the Mt. Diablo Trail Book. It would be greatly appreciated by all. Or if you are just interested in seeing what others have to say about the trails of Mt. Diablo, then View the Mt. Diablo Trail Book.

Note: Dogs are not allowed on the trails in Mt. Diablo State Park.

Contact Information | Public Transit Information

Directions: From Walnut Creek take I-680 South to El Cerro Boulevard and exit east (left). El Cerro becomes Diablo Road. Go to Mt. Diablo Scenic Boulevard and turn left. At the Park boundary the road becomes South Gate Road. Continue up the mountain, past the entrance station to Rock City. Note: There is a $5 vehicle admission charge for the park
Alternative Directions: From Walnut Creek take Ygnacio Valley road East to Walnut Avenue and turn right. At Oak Grove Road turn right and then immediately left on North Gate Road. Go up the mountain, past the entrance station and at the junction with South Gate Road turn right. Take South Gate Road for approximately 1.5M mile to Rock City. Note: There is a $5 vehicle admission charge for the park.

This is a 12 mile keyhole route featuring half singletrack and half fire road with 2000' of elevation gain. From the Rock City Picnic Area head west and take the Trail Through Time past Devil's Slide trail 1.2M to Sycamore Creek Road. Turn left and go .3M to Black Hawk Road. Turn right and go .8M to Oyster Point Trail and go straight for 3.6M to Finley Road. Turn left on Finley Road and go .3M to Riggs Canyon. At Riggs Canyon turn left and go 2M to Knobcone Point Road (Note: just before Knobcone Point Road there is a locked gate which you will have to climb over). At Knobcone Point Road turn left and go 2.5M to Devil's Slide Trail. Turn left on Devil's Slide Trail and go .5M to Trail Through Time. Turn right on Trail Through Time 1M back to rock City.

Notes: Restrooms drinking water and picnic area are located at the trailhead.

Directions: From Walnut Creek, take Ygnacio Valley Road east to Clayton Road. Turn right on Clayton Road and right on Mitchell Canyon Road. Park in the staging area. ($2 parking fee)

This is a strenuous 15+ mile route, with an elevation gain of 3200'. Follow the Mitchell Canyon fire road to Deer Flat. Turn right at Deer Flat Road and take to Juniper campground. Go through campground to Juniper Trail, turn left and follow it to the summit. Return by taking North Peak Trail at Devil's Elbow just below the parking lot. Note: North Peak trail is a singletrack open to bicycles. Follow it to Prospectors Gap Road and turn left. At Meridian Ridge Road turn right and follow it to Donner Canyon Road and turn left. When you come out into open grassland turn left on the first fire road back to the Mitchell Canyon staging area.

Notes: Restrooms drinking water and picnic area are located at the trailhead, Juniper campground and at the summit.

Directions: Take Stone Valley Road off-ramp on Highway 680 between Walnut Creek and Danville. Follow Stone Valley Road to its intersection with Green Valley Road, turn left and park at the end of the street in the staging area. ($2 parking fee)

A strenous 13+ mile loop with a total climb of 2000 feet. Take Wall Point Road to Summit Trail. Turn left on Summit trail and follow to BBQ Terrace. Descend BBQ Terrace into Pine Canyon. Continue through Pine Canyon on Stage Road. After passing Pine Pond continue on through the gate. At the first fire road go left and begin the climb out of Pine Canyon. At the junction of Shell Ridge Trail again go left to The Briones - Mt. Diablo Regional Trail. Go left and follow back to the Macedo Ranch staging area.

Notes: Restrooms and drinking water are located at the trailhead and at Rock City at the top of Wall Point Trail.

Directions: From Walnut Creek, take Ygnacio Valley Road east to Clayton Road. Turn right on Clayton Road and right on Marsh Creek Road. At Regency Drive turn right and go to the end of the road.

A strenuous 6 mile keyhole with a total elevation gain of 1500'. 3 miles is narrow singletrack trail with poor footing, steep dropoffs and a half dozen stream crossings in winter/spring when the water is flowing.. The reward in Spring is an abundance of wildflowers, stunning vistas and of course, a series of waterfalls. From the trailhead, take Donner Canyon Road about 1.5 miles to Cardinet Oaks Road and turn left. Climb a series of switchbacks for about 1/3 mile and turn right on Falls Trail. Follow Falls Trail around the canyons to Middle Trail. Turn right on Middle Trail and at Prospectors Ridge Road go right several hundred yards to Donner Canyon Road where you turn left back to the trailhead.

Directions: From Walnut Creek take I-680 South to El Cerro Boulevard and exit east (left). El Cerro becomes Diablo Road. Go to Mt. Diablo Scenic Boulevard and turn left. At the Park boundary the road becomes South Gate Road. Continue up the mountain, past the entrance station to just past Rock City. Park in the Curry Point view area on the left. Note: There is a $5 vehicle admission charge for the park.
Alternative Directions: From Walnut Creek take Ygnacio Valley road East to Walnut Avenue and turn right. At Oak Grove Road turn right and then immediately left on North Gate Road. Go up the mountain, past the entrance station and at the junction with South Gate Road turn right. Take South Gate Road for approximately 1 mile to Curry Point and park in the lot on the left. Note: There is a $5 vehicle admission charge for the park.

A easy 3.3 loop trail with an elevation gain of 500 feet. Take the Knobcone Point Road from the parking lot for about 1 mile to Black Hawk Trail. Turn right and continue to Sycamore Creek Road. Turn right again to Devils Slide Trail and turn right. Begin climb out of Sycamore Canyon on this wonderful singletrack trail as it heads back to Knobcone Point Road, where you turn left back to the trailhead.

Directions: From Walnut Creek take I-680 South to Diablo Road and exit east (left). Go to Mt. Diablo Scenic Boulevard and turn left. Go to the Park Boundary sign and park on the side of the road. Note: There is limited parking (5-6 cars).

A moderate 2 mile (each way) out and back with an elevation gain of 1000 feet. Take the singletrack trail on north side of South Gate Road for .5 miles to junction with Summit Trail fire road and turn right. Climb 1.5 miles through Dan Cook Canyon to Live Oak Campground. Continue through campground to explore Rock City. This trail encompasses a variety of habitats, from moist riparian zone at the bottom of the canyon to fascinating sandstone formations at Rock City, where some of the best birding in the park is found.

Notes: No facilities at trailhead. Restrooms, drinking water and picnic areas are located at the top of the trail at Rock City.