Lake Chabot: West Shore, Bass Cove, Columbine, Brandon, Escondido, Brandon, Towhee, Live Oak, East Shore Trails Loop is a 11.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Castro Valley, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
The trail begins along the flat and paved West Shore Trail, which follows Lake Chabot’s scenic shoreline. From this path you can look out across the lake at boaters who have launched from the Marina. The heavily wooded Cascade Trail follows one of Lake Chabot’s feeder steams. There is also a wonderful view of the bay from Towhee Trail. Much of the hike takes place on the Lake Chabot Bike Trail; although hikers have the right of way, be aware of your surroundings. From the Lake Chabot Marina parking lot, head left, following signs for West Shore Trail. Proceed for 1.82 miles and cross the Lake Chabot dam. Make a right after the dam onto Bass Cove Trail and follow it for 1.33 miles. At the next fork, make a right to stay on Bass Cove Trail, then continue for .46 mile. Keep straight to take Columbine/Cascade Trail 1.5 miles to the Stone Bridge. Make a sharp right at the signpost and follow Brandon Trail (and signs for the Lake Chabot Bike Loop) for .89 mile to Escondido Trail. Make a right on Escondido Trail. After 1.39 miles, make a right to reconnect with Brandon Trail and the Lake Chabot Bike Loop. Continue for 1.37 miles until you reach the day use parking lot. Safely cross Marciel Road and continue straight, following signs for Brandon Trail and Lake Chabot Bike Loop. After .13 mile, make a sharp right to follow Towhee Trail for .27 mile, then turn left onto Live Oak Trail. Follow Live Oak Trail for a little over a mile, continuing to follow signs for the Lake Chabot Bike Loop. Cross the bridge and then head right on the East Shore Trail for 1.65 miles until you return to the Marina. Park Hours: 6am to sunset (varies seasonally) Fees: Parking: $5/vehicle, $4/trailered vehicle, $25/bus. Dogs: $2/dog. Guide/service dogs free.
Website: www.ebparks.org/parks/lake_chabot
From I-580 West near Castro Valley, take the Strobridge Avenue exit. Turn right on Strobridge, right on Castro Valley Boulevard, and left on Lake Chabot Road. The Lake Chabot Marina is about 2 miles ahead on the right. From I-580 East near Castro Valley, exit at Redwood Road and head left. Turn left at Castro Valley Boulevard, then right on Lake Chabot Road. The Lake Chabot Marina is about two miles ahead.
February 20, 2021January 14, 2021Steep climbs and rough trails... occationally carnivore wildlife
January 1, 2021December 31, 2020Awesome trail!! Plenty of street parking all day!! I was the only hiker once I left the trail by the lake, just saw a few bikers. When I came back to the paved trail around 1pm it was VERY busy! The trail is rated hard I believe because of the distance, the trail is easy to follow, and if you’re doing it clockwise be knee ready to go down big hills! If I do it again I’ll do it counter clockwise, that looks fun too.
December 26, 2020Lake Chabot trail run. First time doing it twice. Longest hike ever for me.
December 5, 2020December 5, 2020Nice trails with beautiful views .
December 3, 2020Perfect trails
December 1, 2020November 27, 2020November 21, 2020On a mountain bike, sick
November 21, 2020November 7, 2020Perfect for training
October 10, 2020First time hiking this popular trail, beautiful views of the lake, eucalyptus groves, and the bay around the trail. High traffic on the paved side of the trails, west and south sides, but pretty quiet on the east and north sides, the bike and hiking trails are split on the east side, mostly. Clockwise is a good way to go, less steep ascending that way. Great views of lake chabot golf course on the south side, other than a few bikes and joggers, it was so quiet hiking through the eucalyptus groves above the lake on the east side. Cascade and columbine trails were amazing! Definitely need to come back after some rains to see the waterfalls and creeks on the east side. Most people were following Covid protocol, sometimes difficult to social distance on the crowded paved pathways mid-morning, the earlier you start the better. Parking is open early, but lot was full by the time I came back at 11:30. Parking was free on this Saturday. The trail is rated as hard, but it was closer to moderate for the most part. Not a lot of ascensions Or descending, pretty moderate throughout. A good joggers trail. Some fun downhills for bikers as well. Definitely one to do again
September 27, 2020Great hike/walk with nice view, take plenty of water with you
July 28, 2020Good hiking trail but too many people on weekends.
July 25, 2020Nice trail but too many people. Avoid until dont know when.
July 19, 2020My first time at lake Chabot and I love the trail here, finish the entire trail about 3.5 hrs I highly recommend wearing sunscreen.
July 1, 2020Overall, I enjoyed this hike. Oak/bay forests, redwood groves, eucalyptus forest. It’s worth it to do the Brandon/Grass valley trail. The hike is better after leaving the lake. Asphalt was a bummer for me at the end of the hike going counterclockwise. Lots of exposed areas so bring a hat, water, and sunscreen. Almost 100% wore masks. Keep on wearing masks so the East bay parks stay open!
May 18, 2020I was hiking with my family and 4 year old and 22 month old daughters. Great place to hike. Loved it.
May 17, 2020Very crowded trail but scenic.
April 19, 2020This is rated hard probably because of distance. The elevation gain is definitely on the moderate side. It took me exactly 4 hours, starting on west shore. I loved the sections that veer away from bike loop I saw tons of families with toddlers, dogs out for walk, run or fishing. Plenty of trail runners and bikes too. The parking lot was actually full by the time I left - shelter in place notwithstanding.
April 18, 2020Got to fight your way through crowds the first and last 2 miles. The 8 miles in the middle are better but you’re still gonna be seeing people most of the way.
March 1, 2020Tough trail. I usually do the 8.5 around the Lake and decided to challenge myself. The hills kicked my butt! Nice views.
June 22, 2019Excellent MTB ride nice weather...8 + miles....
June 11, 2019At the intersection of Brandon Trail and Towhee trail, there is a small trail goes to the highest point around the lake. Nice view of the lake and SF Bay.
May 24, 2019May 12, 2019Paved at beginning to the dam and at end to Marina. Saw plenty of bike riders throughout. All trails had dried out. The only tricky part was asking the steam to the Stone bridge. Quiet except paved sections.
April 27, 2019when hiking clockwise as per description, you'll walk on paved paths until the dam. It's off to tracks from there, until Lake Shore Trail, where the path will be paved again. The paved portions have moderate to heavy traffic. Some of the track is quite remote and quiet. Long and enjoyable hike!
January 26, 2019
