This walk comes with the steepest hills in El Cerrito. Pictures do not do this experience justice. Out of all the views in the East Bay Hills, this hike may provide the finest. They are towering views.This rigorous hike is 4.5 miles, consisted of 300 stairs, but more importantly featured 2 Hidden Parks with steep hiking trails that provided some of the most unprecedented views of the bay. I started off on Roberta Dr and Arlington Blvd. Walked downhill on Roberta Dr and landed on Bates Ave. Turned left on Terrace Dr. Then turned left on Gelston Pl. Bay Tree Ln is on my right. From 769 to 763, took a pathway (pic 1). Walked through and climbed down 18 steps.
Arrived on Contra Costa Dr. Turned right and headed uphill for a bit. On King Dr, there was 2 roads and I took the left one. Turned right onto Shelvin dr and passed Moeser Ln. At the end of Shelvin Pl, found the trail and climbed up 29 stairs. Landed on King Dr again. Took a pathway with a few steps up to Contra Costa Dr. More stairs as shown in the pic. I was enthralled by all the birds and plants. Found the next pathway across the street and climbed 25 more steps to land on Brewer Dr. Admired all the new homes on Brewer Dr and was astounded by the bay views. Turned left on Brewer Dr for about half a mile all the way to Arlington Blvd and turned left and appreciated the golf course.
Turned left on Madera Circle and passed home 20, took the path and descended 98 steps. After climbing down to arrive on Julian Dr, just a few houses to the left took another stairway. This one 119 steep steps. Arrived on Potrero Ave. Just right across the street from the stairway and path, took the pathway that led to some open space. I walked along the small trail and found a bench. Took some photos. I wanted to stay for a long time but knew I had a ways to go back. I took five and took some sips of water, said hello to a few folks passing by. Mt Tampalis was on my right and I also witnessed views of the East Bay and San Francisco including the downtown and the Golden Gate Bridge. You really have to see it as the pics only show a fraction of it's beauty.
After enamoring all the different views, I headed back to Potrero Ave and downhill. Turned left onto Douglas Dr. Beside house 1520 found a small path that looked private. I would have never guessed that this small path took me to a real steep hiking trail. And of course, more staggering and towering views of the bay. Basically, you have to keep heading uphill and east as there are many trail spin offs. But at the top, arrived on Regency Ct. Turned right and met Kent Dr. Though out of the natural hillside, still much more hills in the residential area. Turned right on Contra Costa Rd and left on Buckingham Dr. From there I met Brewster again and took a right and passed by many of the houses I had initially seen. Took it all the way to Havens Pl and turned right. Crossed Moeser and turned right on Bates ave and left on Roberta Dr. I was happy to be done but said to myself ''That was something.''