Peace Circle: Wildcat Peak from Little Farm

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Make your way up to the stone circle marking the highest point in the East Bay (Wildcat Peak) by winding your way up from the parking lot at Little Farm, then taking a different route down to make a loop.

Back in the day, the Rotary Club set up a grove of redwood trees in Wildcat Canyon, each marked with a plaque honoring a leader in world peace. Then, at the highest point of the hills, they created a circle of stones where hikers could go to rest their bones and take in the incredible views of San Pablo Dam to the east and the entire Bay Area to the west.

Start at Little Farm, then hike past the animals to join the Loop Road (dirt). Hook a left, then dive right into the trees on the shaded Laurel Canyon Trail. At the only opportunity, go left to connect back up to Laurel Canyon Road, then left on Nimitz Way Trail (which is paved). Nimitz turns into the Wildcat Peak Trail, where you'll pass the Rotary Peace Grove and make your way up to the scenic outlook.

Eat your corn chips and drink your kombucha, then on the way back down, go right on Peak Trail rather than left (i.e. don't return the way you came). Stay on the Wildcat Peak Trail as it descends plenty of switchbacks through eucalyptus and sage to eventually reach a junction with Sylvan Trail, which will ultimately lead you back to Loop Road and your vehicle.

As with the entire East Bay, be on the lookout for poison oak!

The Peace Grove Lookout was completed in 1962 by the Rotary Club of Berkeley.