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Leona Heights Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 300 Google reviews · Running trail in Oakland, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Leona Heights Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Park featuring a hiking trail with waterfalls and scenic views of Oakland.
What runners say about Leona Heights Park
“Narrow trails with some steep drops, but gorgeous with a creek running next to the path and several small waterfalls.”
“It is shady with the perfect amount of light filtering through the towering branches of old redwoods.”
Best local Oakland hike that is an unknown to most people. 1.5 hours and your wiped out. Great views, great shade, excellent redwood forest to relax in. The oldest old growth redwood (Old Survivor) is on this trail but it is hidden. Try to find it with your eyes when you reach the overlook.
This is one of the more wild parks in the East Bay. Trails are narrow and often plunge steeply down into the creek on one side. There are no handrails. After a harrowing experience with three small children on a muddy path one day, I didn't go back for years. I'm glad I did.
Quick way to feel like you're in a whole different city. Dog friendly, fun hike. It's a bit steep and broken up in places, lots of uneven rocks and tree roots in the trail. This is not a good place if you have limited mobility or recent joint injuries. They're drop offs that could break a hip or worse.
Beautiful park! Love the York Trail!! You can walk the trail the whole time (note that it's steep and narrow in places), or you can do part of it as a refreshing creek walk!
Trail conditions & character
“Narrow trails with some steep drops, but gorgeous with a creek running next to the path and several small waterfalls.”
“You can walk the trail the whole time (note that it's steep and narrow in places), or you can do part of it as a refreshing creek walk!”
“I love to take my bouncy dog, listen to some music and disappear from the city here.”
“It is shady with the perfect amount of light filtering through the towering branches of old redwoods.”
“After a harrowing experience with three small children on a muddy path one day, I didn't go back for years.”
“The 2 mile loop takes you up about 300-400 feet on the first mile and then a gentle descent.”
Plan your run at Leona Heights Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteoaklandparks.org
- Phone(510) 615-5566
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 5 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Oakland
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Redwood Glen Trailhead
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Joaquin Miller Park
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