Chamise Trail and Bollinger Creek Loop Trail is a 2.6 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Danville, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Las Trampas Regional Wilderness offers 5,342 acres of wilderness and an expanded trail system that allows hikers and horseback riders 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. Carry plenty of drinking water. Two major Bay Area faults--the Las Trampas and Bollinger faults--account for the uplift and exposure of four well-defined geological formations. The Orinda formation holds remnants of ancient beach and shoreline. The El Sobrante formation consists of several fossil-bearing compressed rock layers. The Pinole Tuff is of volcanic origin.
No parking fee.
Address 18012 Bollinger Canyon Road San Ramon, CA 94583 Phone Numbers 510-544-3276 Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4537
From I-580 in Castro Valley, take Crow Canyon Road north to Bollinger Canyon Road. Turn left (north) onto Bollinger Canyon Road and follow it into the park. From I-680 in San Ramon, take Crow Canyon Road west to Bollinger Canyon Road, turn right (north) and follow it into the park.
Some part of the trail was muddy due to recent rainfall, but overall it was great.
Giving it 3 stars because I wasn't able to finish due to being charged at by a large Newfoundland looking dog, black and white. I've worked with dogs for almost 20 years and this guy was not happy about me being on his trail. He came out of nowhere and there were no humans in sight or ear-shot. Pretty terrifying experience, I'm glad I did not have to pepper spray him. If your dog can be weary of strangers at times, do not let him off leash when hiking.
Beautiful views throughout this hike, and great diversity of landscape including brown, undulating hills peppered with green trees. A few groups of cows along the way. I rated it at four because the uphill climb is a killer, Extremely long and extremely steep. If you want to get your heart going and have a good workout, it’s a good one; if you want more of a leisurely hike, I would take a different route.
Chamise is less trafficked, a narrow path, and ascends over 600' in less than a mile. Pretty challenging but so worth it. Great views of Mt. Diablo, shady, and it smells great! It's named after the Chamise shrub covering this hill. There is also coyote mint, clarkia, and sticky monkey flower still blooming in late June. Once you hit Bollinger Creek loop, there is just a little more of a climb but it's shady. Then the descent is exposed with wide trails and a little more crowded.