Calaveras Ridge Regional, Donlon Loop, and Calaveras Ridge Trails

Park Features: With open valleys and steep slopes, Dublin Hills Regional Park offers an invigorating hike with spectacular views. Seasonal streams and springs provide habitat to animals such as Cooper’s hawks, great horned owls, coyotes, deer, and frogs. Keep an eye out for the golden eagle, a protected species, which uses the area for hunting. The park has ample parking and restrooms available on site. The hike affords many views of the growing, surrounding community. Trail Highlights: The Calaveras Ridge Trail begins near the Schaefer Ranch development and brings you to grassland areas grazed by cattle since the 1800s. The trail is completely exposed and doesn’t provide any shade, so dress accordingly. Though short, the trail is very steep in sections. Be sure to carry plenty of water. There are restrooms and a drinking fountain in the Donlon Point staging area parking lot. Trail Directions: From Donlon Point staging area, walk through the cattle gate onto Calaveras Ridge Regional Trail. Pass the #2 marker and veer right up the trail. Continue through the cattle gate and pass marker #3. At marker #4 for Donlon Point, stay left to continue on Calaveras Ridge. At marker #5, take a sharp right onto Donlon Loop Trail. Pass the pond on the right and veer left to reach marker #6. Continue on the trail. After .15 miles, turn right at marker #12 so the tree line is to your left. Walk until you see a sign facing away from you that reads “hikers only beyond this point.” Turn right at the sign and start down the single-track trail. Note there is no trail name or marker. At the bottom, the trail approaches residences. Watch for a gate. Go through the gate, turn right on McBride Lane, and continue to the end of the street. Pick up the fire road on your right for a steep ascent back to marker #6 to complete the Donlon Loop. You will pass through a gate, then pass marker #7 and turn right at the top of the trail. After completing the 1.45-mile loop, turn left at marker #6 and follow Calaveras Ridge back to the parking lot. Park Curfew: 5am - 10pm