Wildcat Peak Trail via Laurel Canyon and Sylvan Trail is a 3.2 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Berkeley, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips and is accessible year-round.
NOTE: As of September 2020, the beginning of this trail is closed however there is a detour. Additionally, the parking area for this trail is closed due to COVID-19. Visitors can still walk or bike here from elsewhere. Please check the park's website for more information: https://www.ebparks.org/news/covid_19_park_and_trail_updates.htm#parks-open-closed This scenic loop takes you from the Tilden Park Environmental Education Center to the summit of Wildcat Peak via the Jewel Lake, Sylvan, Peak and Laurel Canyon trails. Terrific views of the Bay Area and a variety of plants and birds keep this route interesting throughout. This route may be very muddy in wet weather.
January 18, 2021Nice trail but lots of poison oak on the sides of the trail and sometimes on the trail.
January 18, 2021
January 10, 2021December 31, 2020Went here with our friends from high school. Outstanding views
December 26, 2020Dec 26 super super muddy !!!
December 20, 2020December 11, 2020Great walk! Did counter clockwise as suggested.
December 6, 2020November 29, 2020Incredible views of Bay and Mt Diablo
November 26, 2020November 15, 2020Amazing views and fresh air
November 11, 2020September 27, 2020September 20, 2020Early part of the trail is closed due to COVID, but the detour is clearly marked and not that far out of the way. Lots of poison oak in the shady part of the trail (early if going in counterclockwise direction)
September 20, 2020September 5, 2020So much poison oak
August 19, 2020August 9, 2020*** Saw a lot of red poison oak a few days ago, so I recommend pants! This is one of my favorite hikes in Tilden! I’ve done it over a dozen times, both clockwise and counterclockwise, and it’s fairly short ( whole loop takes between an hour to an hour and half to complete). I’ve never seen this trail crowded and people people are respectful of social distancing/wearing masks. It was kind of confusing to navigate on my own, so I used the AllTrails map the first few times. I definitely recommend going counterclockwise, especially on hot days, so you’re in the shady forest during the steady incline, then finish with a gradual downhill, which is mostly in the open sun. You would also be facing the beautiful views on the way down, instead of having your back to it the entire time. Gorgeous 360 degree view from the very top. I access the trailhead near the little farm, behind the environmental center.
July 6, 2020We do this one pretty regularly! Great views of the Bay and beautiful forests. Pretty moderate. Main parking lot at the visitor center was mostly blocked off with only select spots available, but I was able to find a spot pretty easily on Monday mid day. Trails at some bits can be pretty narrow and don't allow for social distancing, and everyone I saw was wearing a mask, so I felt pretty safe.
June 27, 2020One of my favorite trails at Tilden! I was blown away from the view once you get to the Wildcat Peak trail. Lots of poison oak, and I just parked in one of the lots in front of the visitor center. There are a few spots throughout the trail where it’s muddy, but it’s reasonable. Lots of poison oak, like others have mentioned. Good mix of sunny and shady. Highly recommend! Easily has become of my favorites and can’t believe I just discovered this.
June 25, 2020Great short hike to Wildcat Peak. The 360 view from the top is great. There are partial trail closures at the beginning due to COVID, but it’s easy to get around. Currently, the first half of the trail is partially overgrown, but the second half is really clear.
June 21, 2020Where did you guys park?
May 27, 2020Excellent hike. Amazing view at wildcat peak. There is definitely a lot of poison oak, but there is also a lot of wildlife. We saw at least 10 bunnies; some quails, squirrels, birds and hardly any other people. Highly recommend this trail.
May 26, 2020Very narrow trail but I hardly saw anyone else this morning. The trail is overgrown in many places and there is LOTS of poison oak around. Wear long pants!! Otherwise, nice hike with gentle elevation gain and beautiful views of the bay and Marin.
March 9, 2020Did this as part of the East Bay Regional Parks trails challenge 2020. 360 view of the East Bay, San Francisco, also Tamalpais, Diablo. Can see the San Pablo and Briones reservoirs to the east.
February 23, 2020I forgot to download the map so I think we didn’t quite do the route laid out here, which makes sense because it was definitely not “moderate”, it was quite easy. I’d like to go back and do it right since we didn’t see any spectacular views. All in all, a nice hike on nice day.
January 25, 2020January 19, 2020
