01
Best overall pick
Round Valley Regional Preserve
Marsh Creek Corridor South Of Brentwood • Quiet Oak-Studded Valley Preserve • Best All-Around Choice
Wide ranch roads loop through open valleys and low ridges, offering big sky, gentle grades, and easy access from town.
Round Valley feels surprisingly remote for being just up Marsh Creek Road, with broad, grassy basins framed by oaks and surrounding hills. Most routes follow well-graded dirt roads, so it suits beginners, families, and anyone easing into longer distances. Go early on hot days, as shade is limited, and consider extending toward Los Vaqueros for a longer outing.
02
Best for water views
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Watershed
West Of Brentwood Near Byron • Lakeside Watershed With Broad Ranch Trails • Top Pick For Breezy Lake Scenery
Rolling shoreline and ridge trails wrap around a deep blue reservoir, with wide-open views and steady but manageable climbs.
The Los Vaqueros trails combine water, hills, and wide horizons, making them a standout choice when you want more scenery than crowds. You can stitch together mellow lakeside walks or longer loops that climb to ridges overlooking the Delta and distant Mount Diablo. Expect sun, wind, and the occasional grazing cattle, and check seasonal gate hours before you go.
03
Iconic summit nearby
Mount Diablo State Park – Mitchell Canyon
Mitchell Canyon Entrance Above Clayton • Classic Diablo Range Canyons And Ridges • Go-To Challenging Climb
Steep canyon and ridge trails lead toward Mount Diablo's high country, rewarding effort with sweeping views across the Bay and Central Valley.
From the Mitchell Canyon side, you can choose anything from a moderate wildflower walk to a full summit push, all within an easy drive from Brentwood. Trails start shaded in the canyon before breaking onto exposed ridges where the views seem to grow with every switchback. It is a true workout hike, so bring plenty of water and be ready for heat, especially outside of winter and early spring.
04
Best for solitude
Morgan Territory Regional Preserve
High Ridgeline Between Brentwood And Livermore • Remote Oak Woodland And High Meadows • Local's Choice For Solitude
A network of singletrack and ranch roads threads through quiet woods and breezy hilltops with a backcountry feel close to town.
Morgan Territory trades crowds for long, rolling miles through oaks, rock outcrops, and seasonal wildflower meadows. The preserve sits on a high shoulder of the Diablo Range, so even moderate loops feel airy and far from the suburbs. Routes are often longer and less shaded than they look on the map, making this a great pick for experienced hikers looking for a half- to full-day wander.
05
History and hills
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve
Hills Above Antioch, West Of Brentwood • Historic Mine Country With Rugged Hill Trails • Fun Option For History Buffs
Steep loops climb through former coal country, mixing chaparral slopes, shaded ravines, and remnants of the old mining era.
Black Diamond Mines packs a lot into a compact area: stout climbs, narrow canyons, grassy ridges, and interpretive signs about the coal and sand mines that once filled these hills. Shorter loops near the main entrance work for a quick workout, while longer circuits link multiple canyons and ridges for serious elevation gain. It is a great choice when you want both strong legs and a sense of the region's past.