Home › California › Oakland › Palos Colorados Trailhead
Palos Colorados Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 81 Google reviews · Running trail in Oakland, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 3 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Palos Colorados Trailhead'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, plus hilly and woodsy trails through canyons, woods and a creek with waterfalls, plus gnomes.
What runners say about Palos Colorados Trailhead
“Palos Colorados Trail is a beautiful path through a steep canyon with a mixed forest including redwoods, oaks, and bay trees, and year-round cascading waterfalls.”
If the thought of hearing or saying these two words together , " Oakland, California ", strikes fear into your heart, relax.. take a beautiful long walk along side the Sausal Creek Watershed, deep up into the Oakland hills to see and hear ,what you might convince yourself to be, a hidden secret place in an ancient…
Beautiful trails. Some areas a little rough but worth it. So great how you can make it short or go for miles if you keep going up.
I was looking for a trail to walk near public transportation and stumbled on the Palos Colorado Trailhead. Started at the top and walk down towards Montclair You'd be hardpressed to find a more stunning trail to walk
Wonderful trails, a little steep and narrow - gorgeous nature. Hidden secret…
Trail conditions & character
“Palos Colorados Trail is a beautiful path through a steep canyon with a mixed forest including redwoods, oaks, and bay trees, and year-round cascading waterfalls.”
“Dogs allowed, and while there are signs that dogs have to be on a leash, everyone had their dogs off leash, and it seemed to be no big deal, which was great for us.”
“Palos Colorados Trail is a beautiful path through a steep canyon with a mixed forest including redwoods, oaks, and bay trees, and year-round cascading waterfalls.”
“The road deadends into a makeshift parking area for the Palos Colorados Trail Head - and the road, itself, is in poor condition.”
“7-mile loop near Oakland is perfect for an easy hike, birding, or running.”
Plan your run at Palos Colorados Trailhead
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
- Loop distance3 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–9 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.
Bridgeview Trail at Monterey Blvd
4.6 ★★★★★ 68 reviews
Redwood, tree-shaded, hilly, muddy trail with kid-pleasing swings and troll statues.
Bridgeview Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 93 reviews
Park with a family-friendly trail featuring many wooden "troll" sculptures.
Shepherd Canyon Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 184 reviews
Park with a flat area and hiking trails in the hills, plus soccer fields, restrooms, and picnic tables.
Montclair Railroad Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 97 reviews
Easy, mostly level trail leading through the woods and a canine-friendly park.
Moon Gate
4.8 ★★★★★ 168 reviews
Redwood forest, popular for hiking, biking and off-leash dog walks.
Joaquin Miller Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,706 reviews
Dog-friendly woodland park on 500 acres boasting rustic trails, meadows & picnic sites.