01
Best easy greenway
Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail
Through Moraga And Lafayette • Paved Creekside Multi-Use Trail • Best Easy In-Town Route
A flat, mostly paved greenway that threads through Moraga’s back door with shady stretches, open views, and plenty of access points.
If you want a low-key outing without leaving town, this is the go-to path for walkers, joggers, kids on bikes, and leashed dogs. Start from any of the trailheads along St. Mary’s Road and wander as far as you like, with benches and wide shoulders that make it forgiving for groups. It’s ideal for everyday miles, casual evening walks, or linking up with Lafayette for a longer day out.
02
Best close-to-town loop
Rancho Laguna Park & King’s Canyon Loop
South Moraga • Oak-Studded Canyon And Ridge Loop • Best Close-To-Town Hike
A rolling loop from Rancho Laguna Park that quickly trades playgrounds and picnic lawns for quiet canyons and open ridges.
From the end of Camino Pablo, you can step straight from the parking lot onto dirt and be in open space within minutes. The loop winds through grassy hillsides, oak pockets, and a peaceful canyon, with optional spurs if you want to add a bit more climbing. It’s a sweet spot for weekend family hikes or quick after-work loops when you don’t have time to drive farther into the hills.
03
Best big-view workout
Rocky Ridge and King’s Canyon Loop (Las Trampas)
Ridges Above South Moraga • Steep Chaparral Ridge Hike • Best Training Climb
A demanding circuit that rewards steep climbs from the Moraga side with wide-open ridgelines and far-reaching views over the East Bay.
Once you commit to Rocky Ridge, you’re in for real elevation gain and a classic East Bay leg burner. The route combines shaded canyon stretches with exposed ridge walking, where the payoff is sweeping vistas toward Mount Diablo and the Tri-Valley. It’s a favorite for locals who are training for bigger mountain goals or just want a serious workout close to home.
04
Best nearby classic
Lafayette Reservoir Rim Trail
Lafayette Reservoir • Hilly Lake-And-Ridge Loop • Best Weekend Classic
A popular loop above Lafayette Reservoir that mixes punchy climbs, lake glimpses, and ridgeline stretches just a few minutes from Moraga.
Skip the flat paved shoreline path and head for the Rim Trail to get a proper hike with rolling hills and a more natural feel. You’ll weave through oaks and chaparral, pop out to viewpoints over the water, and earn a bit of a workout without needing to commit a full day. Go early for cooler temps and easier parking, especially on sunny weekends.
05
Best shady escape
Redwood Regional Park – East & West Ridge Loop
Oakland Hills Above Moraga • Shady Redwood Forest Circuit • Best Cool-Weather Escape
A varied loop through towering redwoods and breezy ridges that feels worlds away, yet sits just over the hills from Moraga.
When the Lamorinda sun is blazing, locals often slip over the canyon into Redwood for cooler air and soft forest tread. The East and West Ridge combination gives you a satisfying mix of high, viewy stretches and deep, quiet redwood groves where the light drops and the temperature follows. It’s an easy half-day outing that pairs well with a coffee stop in neighboring Montclair or Orinda on the way there or back.