Ringtail Cat, Madrone, Las Trampas Ridge and Corduroy Hills Loop

Las Trampas Regional Wilderness offers a true sense of wilderness in the Bay Area, with an expanded trail system that allows hikers to enjoy its remote and rugged areas. The park’s size and terrain allow visitors a feeling of privacy and escape from urban hustle and bustle. Two major Bay Area faults helped form the steep and rocky hills. This geologically diverse park contains a great variety of rock, from volcanic Pinole Tuff, to metamorphic, fossil-bearing El Sobrante formation, to the ancient beach and shoreline sandstone of the Orinda formation. If you stay vigilant, you may see a fossil on the Las Trampas Ridge Trail. Be sure to carry plenty of water; the park’s water supply is inconsistent, and water may be unavailable at any time. This route explores the northern portion of the park. The trails traverse a variety of terrains from flat grasslands, shaded woodlands, and beautiful, rolling ridgeback hills. This route offers scenic views of the surrounding areas. There are no bathrooms or water at the staging area or along the route, so please come prepared. Park at Ringtail Cat Staging Area, and enter the park through the fence opening, making a left onto Ringtail Cat Trail. Go through a gate, bearing left at the next trail post, and continue to ascend on Ringtail Cat Trail. At the next trail post, you will continue straight onto the Madrone Trail. Follow Madrone past the next trail post, staying to the right. Remain on Madrone Trail for just over 2 miles, passing over a seasonal stream and through shaded portions. The trail will take you uphill to a nice bluff that opens to landscape views of the East Bay. There is a bench here; a good place to take a break. At the next intersection go through the cattle gate and turn left onto Las Trampas Ridge Trail. In a short distance, the trail crosses private property; access is allowed for trail use only, so please remain on the trail. Follow Las Trampas Ridge Trail passing through another cattle gate and staying right to keep on the trail. At the next trail post, turn left onto the Corduroy Hills Trail. This beautiful trail is narrow and steep, snaking through sandstone outcrops among diverse chaparral plants. Take a left at the next trail post to stay on Corduroy Hills, descending the steps. Corduroy Hills will connect with Madrone Trail at the bottom of the hill. Turn left onto Madrone Trail. Follow it around the bend, and make a right to descend the way you originally came up. Be sure to continue onto Ringtail Cat Trail and follow it back to the staging area where you began.