Nimitz Way Trail to Wildcat Creek Trail Loop is a 8.4 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near El Cerrito, California that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round.
Hiking
Nature trips
Walking
Bird watching
Running
Forest
Partially paved
River
Views
Wild flowers
Wildlife
No dogs
A loop option from Inspiration Point that offers stunning views of the entire park. This is also the Bay Area Ridge Trail. From Inspiration Point head north on the Nimitz Way Trail. Dogs are not allowed on the part of Wildcat Creek Trail that passes through Tilden, so you will not be able to complete this loop with a dog.
Park at Inspiration Point
Fri Jan 17 2020Beautiful views! I think going counter clockwise would give a bit more of a booty booster workout with the hills but overall a mellow trail!
Thu Aug 29 2019I started and ended this trail at Inspiration Point (Nimitz to Laurel Canyon to Wildcat Peak Trail). It was easy enough and lead to a great view of the Bay. The path is paved for about a mile in before heading onto a wide unpaved path which led to a narrower hiking path. The trails itself weren’t terribly interesting but the view made it so worth it.
Tue Sep 04 2018Amazing views.
Mon Apr 23 2018Nice other than the power cables overhead.
Sat Feb 03 2018Not straight forward trail and hours of being lost
Sun Dec 31 2017
Sun Sep 10 2017Sun Sep 03 2017The Nimitz trail is paved, which is nice for biking, but not really my idea of hiking. Once you reach Conlon, there are some nice views of the San Pablo Reservoir. Conlon is basically a cow pasture and has no shade. I wouldn't hike it on a hot summer day and be prepared to encounter cows. You can bike this trail, but once you reach Jewel Lake, you'll have to stay on Loop Road to connect to Meadows Canyon Trail. This trail is listed as hard, but it's not. It should be listed as moderate for the distance.
Sun Jul 16 2017This should be reclassified as easy/moderate.
Mon Jul 10 2017paved loop. 9 miles long. It's not what i was expecting but it was a good 3.5 hr walk. because this trail was rated "hard" I was expecting steep inclines or stairs or something. wasn't expecting a paved road. But all in all it was a good 3.5 hrs spent. great views.
Thu Jul 06 2017i run the Nimitz Way paved path pretty often, which is a nice way to get in 8 easy miles with nice views & cows that pay you no mind. i've also run/hiked the other trails without incident. but the last time I did this loop (07/01), a young steer of about 800 lbs bucked at me on Conlon midway up. i did all the normal things - distanced myself from it & walked slow. after i passed it & was getting back on the trail (he was standing just off the side) i heard it taking steps. when i turned around, it was walking toward me & started to buck! not cool!! there were 3 other herds blocking the trail on my way up so i ended up walking next to the fence getting foxtails everywhere instead of having another potential pissed off cow situation. it was kind of awful.
Fri Jun 23 2017Not a hard hike, but a solid road run when using Nimitz as an out and back. The pavement can get pretty hot, but cools off once you hit the back end and it opens up to the sea. If you prefer to run in gravel, you can usually run alongside of the paved trail. The only thing that is unfortunate about running this trail are the cattle guard grates. It is a great trail to enjoy the scenery while exercising, but I would not consider Nimitz as s a "destination" hike.
Tue May 30 2017Fun loop! Half of the trail is paved and the rest is dirt trails. I would recommend taking your phone or download a map so you don't get lost. It was pretty windy but a beautiful little hike.
Mon May 01 2017as a tip, dogs are actually not allowed on the part of wildcat creek trail that passes through the tilden nature area, so you will not be able to complete this loop with a dog, as i discovered on saturday! still a nice hike, but i wish there was a way to loop.
Thu Mar 16 2017Sun Feb 05 2017We hiked along Nimitz Way from Inspiration Point, Tilden. This was an out and back hike/walk along a paved walkway took us along the ridges from Tilden Regional Park into Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. The weather was cool, cloudy and sometimes windy. This trail was perfect for this condition. The hike was 8.3 miles and we had a great time.
Fri Feb 03 2017This is not a hard trail, it is however longer and beautiful. The spring is gorgeous up here, get out when the grass is green.
Sun Jan 08 2017We hiked along the Nimitz Way from Inspiration Point, Tilden Park today. The hike was an out and back walk along a paved walkway took us along the ridges from Tilden Regional Park into Wildcat Canyon Regional Park for a total of 8 miles out and back. The weather was windy and rainy with an interesting ambience.
Sun Nov 06 2016If you want astounding 4 bridge views this is the place. Sometimes crowded in the beginning but if you go out to where pavement ends you can see a canyon with coyotes laying in wait for calves of the grazing cattle or even dogs if you are not cautious and allow them to be enticed into the chase. Try it and like it.
Sat Sep 17 2016Good trail (or road in some places) with good views.
Tue May 31 2016I started from Inspiration Point, following the Nimitz Way, Laurel Canyon Road, Meadow Canyon trail, Curran Trail and finally back to where I started. This loop also toke me to the Tilden Nature Area and the Visitor Center.
Tue May 24 2016Paved trail for the first mile or two then there are some trails you can take to get off pavement. Lost of bikers on the weekend. Parking can get tough also on the weekends.
Mon May 23 2016Fun ride and apart from the crazy moggel downhill easy ride
Tue Apr 26 2016Take Nimitz out beyond where pavement ends, up to the top of the hill for one of the best views in the Bay Area. Four bridges, Mounts Tam and Diablo, Red Tail Hawks and Golden Eagles above and coyotes stalking cattle in the canyon below. It does not get any better than this!
Sat Jan 23 2016It was a great hike with beautiful views. It started raining so we had to turn back half way. I would definitely do this hike again. It has paved road with very slow elevation gain through out so it's an easy hike.
Tue Dec 02 2014This is an awesome easy trail with great views. As a hiker I took this trail slot when I was recovering from an ankle injury because it is mostly paved and even. I still take it for the views. Yes it is leash only for dogs, but the Meadows/Wildcat/Curran loop is just beneath it, and it is off leash. my dog loves both trails.
Tue Oct 14 2014When I lived in Berkeley, this was one of my go to bike trails. The trail is paved and wonderful for biking through the hills, with some great vistas. Not as great for a hike, as there are a good deal of bikes.
Fri Jan 31 2014dogs must be on leash
Sun Jul 05 2020Sat Jul 04 2020
