Upcoming Hikes
Check this space soon! And don't forget our annual meeting and Evening of Foggy Storytelling on January 30.
Recent Hikes
Bird Walk with Will Wiskes
Sunday, November 17, 8:30 - 10:30 am
Sunday, November 17, 8:30 - 10:30 am
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Join Trekkers for a morning bird walk in the El Cerrito Natural Area. Leading the walk is William Wiskes, an avid birder and data scientist currently volunteering on projects such as the Marin County Breeding Bird Atlas and the Christmas Bird Count. In the past Will has worked in banding stations, and worked closely with such species as Pacific Guillemot, Pacific Wren and Black Rail.
The walk will include some steep sections, so wear sturdy shoes, and you may want to bring a hiking stick or trekking poles. Service dogs only. Rain cancels. Meeting Point: Schmidt Lane Trailhead for El Cerrito Natural Area |
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Wildcat Workout Hike
Saturday, October 19, 12:00 - 4:30 pm
Saturday, October 19, 12:00 - 4:30 pm
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Join Trekkers for a strenuous and often steep hike through Wildcat Canyon Regional Park in Richmond. Dave Weinstein will discuss a bit of the canyon’s history – explaining why a highway runs through it – but mostly we will walk and talk. Bring snacks and water, dress in layers and wear serious shoes. This will be a six to eight mile trek, determined by the will of the hikers.
Meet at the Rifle Range Road entrance to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Information: Dave Weinstein, 510-529-5432, [email protected] Trekkers hikes are always free. |
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Plant Walking: A Healing Ritual
Saturday, October 5, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Saturday, October 5, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
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Back by popular demand! Learn to identify edible and medicinal plants of the Hillside Natural Area. Learn about how native plants have been used over the centuries, and currently, for food, medicine and crafts locally and globally (ethnobotany). Led by Alan Siegel, a volunteer docent at the East Bay Regional Park District Tilden Botanic Garden. Alan is one of Trekkers’ most popular hike leaders.
Meet at the north end of Regency Court (near 1580 Regency Court), El Cerrito |
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Footsteps to the Past: Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
Sunday, September 15, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Sunday, September 15, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
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For nearly 80 years, Point Pinole teemed with the sights and sounds of dynamite manufacture; today it’s calm. We’ll explore both the peaceful and explosive past of this unique park. Retired East Bay Regional Parks supervising naturalist Dave Zuckermann will be your guide on this flat, easy-paced 3.5-mile walk through woodlands and along the shoreline.
Meet at the Giant Highway Entrance (5551 Giant Highway, Richmond, 94806) to Point Pinole Regional Shoreline. PLEASE NOTE: This is not the new Atlas Rd. Staging Area. |
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Exploring Berkeley's Southampton and Thousand Oaks Neighborhoods
Sunday, August 18, 9:00 - 11:00 am
Sunday, August 18, 9:00 - 11:00 am
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Join Janet Byron, co-author of the book Berkeley Walks, to explore Berkeley’s charming Southampton and Thousand Oaks neighborhoods, which were developed by John Hopkins Spring in the early 20th century. We will meander through John Hinkel and Great Stoneface parks along tree-lined streets with many architectural gems, including the Spring Mansion (shown), designed by famed Berkeley architect John Hudson Thomas.
Meet for this ~3.25-mile walk in front of the ACE Hardware store at 303 Arlington Ave, corner of Amherst Ave. Join Janet for brunch at the Inn Kensington afterward if you’d like (and we can get a table). Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome. |
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Dogpatch Art and Shoreline Stroll, San Francisco
Saturday, July 20, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Saturday, July 20, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
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Join Trekkers to explore a once unknown, now hip district in southeast San Francisco. Visit the city’s largest complex of art galleries, neighborhoods of gorgeous Victorians, industrial remnants repurposed for today, Irish Hill, and a new shoreline park. Drink in views from a rooftop and learn history.
This is a level walk with an opportunity for beverages and food at the conclusion. The hike will end by Chase Center, near Third and 16th Streets. Like all our hikes, it is free. RSVPs are required! Please RSVP to hike leader David Weinstein at [email protected]. Limited to 20 people. No dogs. Meet: By Dogpatch Saloon, 2496 3rd Street. Take the Muni T from Union Square to the 20th and Third Street stop. Questions? Contact Dave Weinstein, 510-529-5432 |
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Sunset Ramble in the Hillside Natural Area
Sunday, July 14, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Sunday, July 14, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
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Join us for a sunset hike through El Cerrito's gem, the Hillside Natural Area, including Motorcycle Hill. The hike is about 3.7 miles and 800 feet elevation gain and is expected to take 2.5 hours, with a stop to watch the sunset. We will walk at a moderate pace, with breaks as needed to enjoy the views and the conversation. Parts are steep, so wear hiking shoes and bring hiking poles if you have them.
The hike leader is Alina Constantinescu. Free. Meet: Memorial Grove entrance on Schmidt Lane, near Recycling Center, 7501 Schmidt Lane, El Cerrito. |
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Albany Hill Through Time
Saturday, June 1, 9:30 - 11:30 am. Meet at at the northwest end of the hill along Pierce Street.
Saturday, June 1, 9:30 - 11:30 am. Meet at at the northwest end of the hill along Pierce Street.
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Join Trail Trekkers for a history walk with author Karen Sorensen, co-sponsored by the El Cerrito Historical Society. Albany Hill has not always had such a straightforward name -- and it has not had a straightforward history. Learn how the hill withstood dynamite explosions and development schemes and has been a home and playground for generations. Karen will draw on research from her two Albany history books and share vintage photos. The walk will be just under two miles and quite steep in sections, on sidewalks and dirt trails. Bring hiking poles if you use them.
Meet: at the northwest end of the hill along Pierce Street. (Mapping: use “Bayside Commons, Pierce St., Albany”). Going south on Pierce St., look for us near the creek at the north end of the condominiums just past Pacific East Mall |
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Hillside Natural Area Geology Walk
Saturday, May 11, 1:00 - 4:00 pm (ish). Meet at Schmidt Lane entrance to the HNA.
Saturday, May 11, 1:00 - 4:00 pm (ish). Meet at Schmidt Lane entrance to the HNA.
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This ~3-hour geology walk starts and ends at the Schmidt Lane entrance to the Hillside Natural Area near the recycling center. We walk past the old Brown and Hutchinson Quarry up the hill to Madera School, south on Arlington Blvd to Arlington Park, and back down the Moeser powerline. Learn about the geological setting of El Cerrito and about the rocks in our city – the Franciscan Formation metamorphic rocks, Northbrae volcanic rocks, and faults and landslides. Tour leaders are Gary Prost, a retired geologist, Bill Motzer, a semi-retired geochemist, and Mark Petrofsky, a retired school teacher and geology enthusiast. They are all members of the Northern California Geological Society.
This moderate to strenuous walk has steep sections. Bring sturdy shoes, hiking poles for the steep sections, water and a hat. Be prepared for any kind of weather. There are places along the way to turn back if you have to leave. |
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BioBlitz 2024 City Nature Challenge
Saturday, April 27, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. Meet at end of Regency Court
Saturday, April 27, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. Meet at end of Regency Court
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Join us for a BioBlitz to explore, discover, and learn about the wildlife and biodiversity in the Hillside Natural Area (HNA). With oak woodlands, small creeks, and open meadows, the HNA hosts a remarkable amount of biodiversity, but there is still so much we don’t know.
This BioBlitz event is part of the 2024 City Nature Challenge, a global friendly competition among cities to make the most observations of their local plants and wildlife April 26-29. It helps (1) El Cerrito’s planning to manage and conserve the HNA while making it more fire resilient, (2) the SF Bay Area’s stats and rank in the CNC global competition, and (3) scientists more broadly to understand biodiversity and the effects of climate change. No experience needed - ambassadors & wildlife experts will be on hand to help us explore. If you can, please install the iNaturalist app on your device and create an account. If you can’t, please join us regardless. |
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Plant Walking: A Healing Ritual
Sunday, April 7, 1:00 - 3:00 pm with Alan Siegel
Sunday, April 7, 1:00 - 3:00 pm with Alan Siegel
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Enjoy the ever popular Plant Walking: A Healing Ritual. Identify edible and medicinal plants of the Hillside Natural Area. Learn about how native plants have been used over the centuries, and currently, for food, medicine and crafts locally and globally (ethnobotany).
Led by Alan Siegel, a volunteer docent at the East Bay Regional Parks District's Tilden Botanic Garden. Like all of our hikes, it's free! Meet at the Schmidt Lane trailhead near the Recycling Center. |
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Peeks at Creeks
Saturday, March 16, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Saturday, March 16, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Join Trekker leaders Barbara Lass and Wade Huntley who will share how they have used local maps to follow buried creek beds, hunt for the signs of the creeks, and learn about the creeks' natural history. Many creeks in El Cerrito are covered, but you can find peeks of exposed portions. This walk will take us to a selection of these special places along three creek watersheds. Free.
Meet on the 7100 block of Eureka Avenue between Albemarle St. and Clayton Ave. |
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Three Park Stroll
Sunday, February 25, 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Sunday, February 25, 1:00 to 3:00 pm
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Enjoy a pleasant, at-times steep, 90-minute to two-hour stroll through two of our city’s favorite parks and one hidden gem of a park in Richmond. Also see fine homes, several creeks, rock outcrops, public art and other wonders.
Wear hiking shoes as the ground may be treacherous. Meet: At the Bottom of Poinsett Park, corner of Poinsett and Harris Avenues Leader: Dave Weinstein [email protected] or 510-524 1737 |
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Looking at Lichen
Sunday, January 7, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Sunday, January 7, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
photo by Cat Chang
Join Cat Chang for a lichen walk in the Hillside Natural Area. Cat is an architectural historian and urban designer who serves on the board of iNaturalist and has amassed more than 43,000 observations there. She hails from O'ahu and her interest in botany and the environment was nurtured at an early age by her native Hawaiian family.
Meet at Douglas Drive trailhead for Hillside Natural Area between 1520 and 1524 Douglas Drive
Meet at Douglas Drive trailhead for Hillside Natural Area between 1520 and 1524 Douglas Drive
Mostly Yard Art
Sunday, December 3, 11:00 am to 1:30 pm.
Sunday, December 3, 11:00 am to 1:30 pm.
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Enjoy the creativity of your neighbors on our Mostly Yard Art Hike. The more you look the more you see! First in a series featuring yard art in the various neighborhoods of El Cerrito. Our sometimes steep and strenuous three-mile walk will meander through Huber Park and back, and includes more than 15 front yards, a visit with an artist in his art-filled backyard, and paths through several parks.
Intrepid yard art aficionados Regina Gilligan, Laura Lent and Kim Luong will lead the hike. Wear sturdy shoes. Rain cancels. Meet at Well Grounded Tea & Coffee, 6925 Stockton Ave. |
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Footsteps to the Past:
Alvarado Park and Beyond Sunday, November 5, 2023 10 a.m. to noon Step back in time as we explore the historic area once known as Grand Canyon Park, and visit the Belgum Sanitarium site. Here, where the canyon meets the plain, Ohlone people thrived. Today, the park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to extensive New Deal-era stonework and unique design. Retired East Bay Regional Parks supervising naturalist and manager Dave Zuckermann will be your guide on this 3-mile hike with a few short, steep sections. Meet at the lower end of the Alvarado Staging Area in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park (off of Park Ave. in Richmond). |
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Missile March
Saturday, October 7, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Including one hour lunch break at site In the 1950s and 1960s, two dozen Nike anti-aircraft missile sites crowned Bay Area hilltops. Join this hike to the remains of one such site in El Cerrito’s backyard, on San Pablo Ridge in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. At the site, hike leaders Wade Huntley (international security specialist) and Barbara Lass (archaeologist) will provide short presentations on the history, nuclear capability and archaeology of the Nike program and the site complex. No actual marching required! Meet at Rifle Range Road trailhead to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park The hike from the trailhead includes a descent (apx. 300 feet) into Wildcat Canyon and then a climb (apx. 700 feet) to the site on the ridge top. The round trip back to the trailhead covers a bit under five miles. |
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Edible and Medicinal Native Plants
Sunday, September 24, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Join our always popular Edible and Medicinal Native Plants Walk, led by Alan Siegel, a volunteer docent with the East Bay Regional Park District’s Tilden Botanic Garden. Alan will teach us to identify edible and medicinal plants in the El Cerrito Hillside Natural Area.
We will learn interesting stories about how native plants have been used over the centuries and currently for food, medicine, and crafts by Indigenous peoples and cultures world-wide. A fall harvest theme with some focus on acorns, nuts, and berries. Meet: Schmidt Lane trailhead of the Hillside Natural Area, near 7501 Schmidt Lane. Some sections are steep |
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Fine Homes and Lost Trails
Sunday, August 6, 1:00 to 3:30 pm.
Sunday, August 6, 1:00 to 3:30 pm.
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Join Dave Weinstein of El Cerrito Trail Trekkers for a vigorous and at times steep hike to see some of El Cerrito's most unusual, largest and most beautiful homes in a wide variety of styles.
Enjoy some of the city's hidden pathways and see pathways that are impassable -- for now. Learn about Trail Trekkers' plans to restore hillside trails and enhance urban trails. Meet at the Northwest corner of Moeser Lane and Shevlin Drive. Best to park on Shevlin. Like all of our hikes, this is free! |
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Hidden Poetry Hike: California Poets Laureate
Sunday, July 16, 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at the Memorial Grove entrance to the Hillside Natural Area on Schmidt Avenue.
Sunday, July 16, 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at the Memorial Grove entrance to the Hillside Natural Area on Schmidt Avenue.
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Join Jenny Hammer for a poetic treasure hunt as we ramble through nature and search for hidden poems in El Cerrito. Learn about notable California poets and read a selected poem from each.
Coordinates of the cached poetry will be provided at the beginning of the hike and are available on the Trekkers website. Bring a GPS device if you have one, or use the GPS on your phone, but neither is necessary. Be prepared to read aloud! Dogs (on leash) are welcome. The Hillside Natural Area has steep grades and eucalyptus “ball bearings” in places, so wear appropriate footwear. Panoramic views are a bonus! Questions? [email protected] or (510) 283-3755 |
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Wildcat Workout Hike
Saturday, June 3, 2023, noon to roughly 4:30 p.m. Join Trekkers for a strenuous and often steep hike through Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Dave will discuss a bit of the canyon’s history – explaining why a highway runs through it – but mostly we will walk and talk. Bring snacks and water, dress in layers and wear serious shoes. Meet: at the Rifle Range Road entrance to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park Information: Dave Weinstein, 510-529-5432, [email protected] |
Fog rolled in midway through this 2018 Trekker venture into Wildcat,
and it might do the same in 2023. Photo by Dave Weinstein
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Plant walking: A Healing Ritual
April 9 (Easter)
Identify edible and medicinal plants of the El Cerrito Natural Area. Learn interesting stories about how native plants have been used over the centuries and currently, for food, medicine, and crafts by Indigenous People locally and globally (ethnobotany). Gain nourishment and “virtual steps,” increase your connection to nature and motivation to preserve our precious open spaces. Led by Alan Siegel, a volunteer docent at the EBRPD Tilden Botanic Garden.
Meet at the Memorial Grove entrance to the Hillside Natural Area, 7501 Schmidt Lane.
Identify edible and medicinal plants of the El Cerrito Natural Area. Learn interesting stories about how native plants have been used over the centuries and currently, for food, medicine, and crafts by Indigenous People locally and globally (ethnobotany). Gain nourishment and “virtual steps,” increase your connection to nature and motivation to preserve our precious open spaces. Led by Alan Siegel, a volunteer docent at the EBRPD Tilden Botanic Garden.
Meet at the Memorial Grove entrance to the Hillside Natural Area, 7501 Schmidt Lane.
North to South Hike
Sunday, March 26, 9:15 a.m. to about 1 p.m.
Grab your Clipper card and your hiking boots and join us on a north-to-south, flats-to-hills, and back-to-flats El Cerrito ramble. Along the way, we'll discover many parks, hidden paths, and panoramic trails.
The hike is seven strenuous miles with an elevation gain/loss of about 1,200 feet. We’ll climb from the flats to the highest points in the hills, with many ups and downs.
Dress in layers and wear good hiking shoes. Bring poles if you use them, a hat, sunscreen, water, and snacks to fuel up along the way. Restrooms and water refills are available at BART and at a couple of the parks on our route.
This is a one-way, point-to-point hike: We meet at the east side of the El Cerrito Del Norte BART station on the Ohlone Greenway at 9:15 AM and end at El Cerrito Plaza BART station at 1 p.m. The start/end times are set to match the BART schedule. If you need to drive, parking at BART is free on Sundays; but don't forget your Clipper card since you will need to ride one stop back to your car. Well-behaved dogs on leash are permitted.
Grab your Clipper card and your hiking boots and join us on a north-to-south, flats-to-hills, and back-to-flats El Cerrito ramble. Along the way, we'll discover many parks, hidden paths, and panoramic trails.
The hike is seven strenuous miles with an elevation gain/loss of about 1,200 feet. We’ll climb from the flats to the highest points in the hills, with many ups and downs.
Dress in layers and wear good hiking shoes. Bring poles if you use them, a hat, sunscreen, water, and snacks to fuel up along the way. Restrooms and water refills are available at BART and at a couple of the parks on our route.
This is a one-way, point-to-point hike: We meet at the east side of the El Cerrito Del Norte BART station on the Ohlone Greenway at 9:15 AM and end at El Cerrito Plaza BART station at 1 p.m. The start/end times are set to match the BART schedule. If you need to drive, parking at BART is free on Sundays; but don't forget your Clipper card since you will need to ride one stop back to your car. Well-behaved dogs on leash are permitted.
Arbor Week Tree Walk
Saturday, March 11, 3 p.m.
Join City Arborist Stephen Prée on a leisurely tree talk and walk up Canyon Trail Park. This is an easy hike (with a steep section) that will focus on both native and exotic trees in Canyon Trail Park. This event is co-sponsored and organized by the city’s Urban Forest Committee. Learn how to differentiate certain native species from invasive ones, discover how they provide habitat in our city, and hear about management strategies.
Meet at the west end of Canyon Trail Park at Conlon Avenue, for a gentle uphill walk, at . The walk will take about an hour and a half. The path is steep.
Join City Arborist Stephen Prée on a leisurely tree talk and walk up Canyon Trail Park. This is an easy hike (with a steep section) that will focus on both native and exotic trees in Canyon Trail Park. This event is co-sponsored and organized by the city’s Urban Forest Committee. Learn how to differentiate certain native species from invasive ones, discover how they provide habitat in our city, and hear about management strategies.
Meet at the west end of Canyon Trail Park at Conlon Avenue, for a gentle uphill walk, at . The walk will take about an hour and a half. The path is steep.
Peeks at CreeksSaturday, February 25, 2023, 10AM to 12 noon
Many creeks in El Cerrito are covered, but you can find peeks of exposed portions. This walk visits a selection of these special places along three creek watersheds. Walk leaders Barbara Lass and Wade Huntley share how they have used local maps to follow buried creek beds, hunt for the signs of the creeks, and learn about the creeks' natural history. Meet: Eureka Ave. between Albemarle St. and Clayton Ave. This hike takes place rain or shine -- but root for rain! On the right: photos from the hike...
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Barbara Lass discussing creeks at Huber Park entrance. (Photo: Wade Huntley)
Creek crossing Balra Dr. (Photo: Wade Huntley)
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