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Sugarloaf Open Space

4.7 ★★★★★ 242 Google reviews · Running trail in Walnut Creek, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Sugarloaf Open Space'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.

ScenicDog-friendlyHillyRestroomsQuiet

More than 3,000 acres of woodlands, grasslands & chaparral with picnic areas & multi-use trails.

What runners say about Sugarloaf Open Space

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (242 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“Great open soace with beautiful green hills in the spring and Golden brown the rest of the year.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“It's nice to take time out of my day and hike to this little bench (which I can see from my house) and enjoy peace and quiet.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 3 mentions

“My favorite place to go walk the dogs!”

Serene, beautiful and nice trail for daily walking. Due to recent rains, trail paths are pretty muddy and slippery. Walk or bike with caution. Good parking area with picnic tables and restrooms available.

★★★★☆ — Siddharth , May 2022

Love the open space. Nice hills to walk around. Its dog friendly. My dog Bella really like it there. Good combination of up and down hills.

★★★★★ — Meriam , May 2022

One of my favorite places to hike in the tri-valley. Accessible, gorgeous, and not crowded. Parts of this area may be difficult for casual hikers as the hills can be very steep, but there are alternate routes to access the gorgeous ridge overlooking the entire San Ramon Valley.

★★★★★ — Hannah , Feb 2020

My favorite place to go walk the dogs! There is not a ton of shade cover so keep that in mind when it's hot, but the views are well worth it. Once you climb to the top you get an incredible view of rolling hills on one side, and a birds eye view of the freeway on the other.

★★★★★ — Kathy , Dec 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 242 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 18 mentions

“There is not a ton of shade cover so keep that in mind when it's hot, but the views are well worth it.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 11 mentions

“Once you climb to the top you get an incredible view of rolling hills on one side, and a birds eye view of the freeway on the other.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 11 mentions

“The area allows off-leash dogs except for the picnic area, so beware if you do not enjoy dogs.”

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🚻 Restrooms 6 mentions

“Not crowded at all, there are bathrooms and what felt like 100 empty picnic tables everywhere.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“It's nice to take time out of my day and hike to this little bench (which I can see from my house) and enjoy peace and quiet.”

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Plan your run at Sugarloaf Open Space

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitewalnut-creek.org
  • Phone+1 925-943-5800

Hours

Monday 6 am–8 pm
Tuesday 6 am–8 pm
Wednesday 6 am–8 pm
Thursday 6 am–8 pm
Friday 6 am–8 pm
Saturday 6 am–8 pm
Sunday 6 am–8 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Sugarloaf Open Space

2161 Youngs Valley Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Get directions

Running trails near Walnut Creek

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Franco Ranch Loop Trail

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Loop

under a mile away

Iron Horse Regional Trail Access

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under a mile away

Fossil Hill Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 124 reviews

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ScenicDog-friendly

Trail-laced nature preserve featuring grassy hills and wildflowers plus some fossilized shells.

1.3 miles away

Rockspring Place trail entrance - Shell Ridge

4.9 ★★★★★ 35 reviews

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Scenic

1.4 miles away

Civic Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,367 reviews

Walnut Creek, CA

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

10-acre park with gardens, picturesque views & a community center & gazebo used for weddings.

2.3 miles away

Diablo Foothills Regional Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 318 reviews

Walnut Creek, CA

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

A 1,060-acre refuge featuring diverse terrain & wildlife, plus hiking trails with scenic vistas.

2.4 miles away

All running trails in Walnut Creek, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.