Secret Valley Loop is a 6 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Walnut Creek, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options. Horses are also able to use this trail.
Vehicle Entrance Fee: $6.00 This trail has numerous vistas of Mt. Diablo, much of the East Bay, and up into Napa Valley. Down in Secret Valley the trail gives a sense of what the early explorers and settlers experienced in this part of the state. One absolutely gets the feeling of traveling down one of the old stage roads. Portions of the trail are open to equestrian and mountain bikers.
Mt. Diablo State Park http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=517
Bring water and appropriate clothing for the season. Walking the ridge right after a storm with crystal clear air would make for fantastic views of the East Bay cities. A wonderfully lonely hike off season. A visit in the spring should be particularly beautiful when the flowers are in bloom. Watch for mountain bikers. Even though trails are closed to bikes, some have been seen to make their way on the trail.
Good hike. If you do the trail counterclockwise, it goes uphill for the first half then downhill. Is 70 to 80% unshaded. Plenty of mountain bikers use the trail, as well as a few horseback riders. The trail is fairly wide and visibility is good, so it wasn't troublesome to share the trail.
Muddy morning but dry on ridge. This is a great hike for early morning or late afternoon fall, winter, spring. I would die out here in the summer sun. Interesting rock formations.
Beautiful! Scenery was magnificent! Also it was fun seeing cows on the trail!
Great views. Interesting rock formations. Mostly fire roads on the way up. About 70% wearing masks. Wider trails nice for COVID. Enjoyed the Secret Trail spur in the backside the most where shade and silence was golden.
Such a pretty loop trail! The south side has amazing views of homes. This time of the year, the hills are starting to become more green. Will definitely get back to hike this one again. Make sure to pay the fee at the parking lot.
CW seems less strenuous than CCW. Lightly trafficked on Fri AM, parking lot ($6 fee) was packed by the time we left in the early afternoon. Great hills and beautiful views, recommend coming on a clear day.
lovely!! went counterclockwise for hilly to start and more rolling on the back half
plenty of parking at 8:30 am. bring cash ($6). the hike is wide enough for hikers and mtn bikers
Very nice loop. We hiked counterclockwise. Solid uphill, nice shade coming down. Great views, will return in the spring.
Went anti clockwise . Shadier on the backendClockwise mellower up, steeper down.
Macedo Ranch —> Secret Trail —> BBQ Terrace —> Stage Rd —> Buckeye/Burma —> Stage Rd to Dusty Road