Home › California › Oakland › Skyline Gate Staging Area
Skyline Gate Staging Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 576 Google reviews · Running trail in Oakland, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 40 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Skyline Gate Staging Area'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.
Carpark & gateway to a protected area spanning over 1000 acres of redwood forest & grassland.
What runners say about Skyline Gate Staging Area
“We took Stream trail from the skyline gate staging area and it is a moderate level trail with beautiful redwoods and eucalyptus trees throughout.”
“There are Tons of trails and some are nice and shaded and relatively flat, while others are single track and steeper.”
“A couple of recently fallen trees to climb over but the redwoods are so beautiful and peaceful.”
“Overall, family friendly hike for all ages, and of course, dog friendly.”
“It's DOG and CAT friendly so bring them along but also be ready to get mud off of them 😀😀.”
There’s not many places you can bring your dog on trails in redwoods, so this hike is high on my list of favorites in the East Bay! Plan your path in advance, there’s so many trails and you can end up figure 8’ing around a bit sometimes 🙋🏽♀️ and end up doing a few more miles than you intended 🙋🏽♀️🙋🏽♀️.
This was a goood hike. Several options for length and loops. Down in the trees, a bit cooler. Or up a bit warmer. The trail is mostly very wide and relatively smoothed out dirt. They have working bathrooms at this place where you park and maybe 20-25 parking spots. Hike on!!!
This is such a great park! There are Tons of trails and some are nice and shaded and relatively flat, while others are single track and steeper. There is a huge off leash dog area which is great for our 4 legged friends!
Stream trail is mostly flat and shady. Surrounded by redwoods and pretty wild flowers. Plenty of bench and picnic tables to rest and enjoy some peace, breeze and fresh air. Looks like the park rangers take very good care of this trail.
Trail conditions & character
“Heading down from this parking lot to Stream trail is fairly gradual, wide, and not necessarily groomed but good enough for a couple of people I saw to take their strollers down.”
“There’s not many places you can bring your dog on trails in redwoods, so this hike is high on my list of favorites in the East Bay!”
“Great little spot for a nice walk/hike/bike trails with breathtaking views and big redwoods!”
“For the amount of cars parked in the parking lot, I was shocked at how few people I saw, especially once I started heading up the hills on the smaller trails.”
“We got here around 8:15am and there were only two spots left Bathrooms: porta potty style, but there’s sanitizer inside Trails: area connects to multiple trails of various levels.”
“There are Tons of trails and some are nice and shaded and relatively flat, while others are single track and steeper.”
“We took Stream trail from the skyline gate staging area and it is a moderate level trail with beautiful redwoods and eucalyptus trees throughout.”
“Today we did the Stream, Mill, and French Trail Loop, a 5-mile moderately strenuous up and downer that goes right into the middle of the forest.”
“A couple of recently fallen trees to climb over but the redwoods are so beautiful and peaceful.”
“There are Tons of trails and some are nice and shaded and relatively flat, while others are single track and steeper.”
“Today we did the Stream, Mill, and French Trail Loop, a 5-mile moderately strenuous up and downer that goes right into the middle of the forest.”
“A water fountain and faucet to fill water bottles and for dogs.”
“Heading down from this parking lot to Stream trail is fairly gradual, wide, and not necessarily groomed but good enough for a couple of people I saw to take their strollers down.”
Plan your run at Skyline Gate Staging Area
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 distance40 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteebparks.org
- Phone(888) 327-2757
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–8 PM |
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