Miwok Trail / Hardy Canyon Trail Loop

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Spring

This is an easy to moderate 4.8-mile long loop through Round Valley Regional Preserve. There are many trails that branch off the main loop that can be used to lengthen your hike.

There are many options for you on this loop. From the parking area, head south on the Miwok Trail, reaching a junction shortly after leaving the trailhead. At the junction, turn left on Hardy Canyon Trail to take this loop clockwise. You'll start with a fairly flat hike on nice wide trail. Gradually, you'll begin to climb as the Hardy Canyon Trail loops south around the park and follows the drainage up to the half-way mark all on shaded singletrack.

You'll reach the halfway point right about the time you cross the saddle and start descending. Once you start your descent, you're mostly on open singletrack until you meet the Miwok Trail junction. At the junction, take a right onto Miwok Trail. From here, the trail is not always obvious as you can choose several singletracks that weave in and out (keep an eye on the Hiking Project mobile app!), or take the fire road back to the parking lot.

There is some accessible water in creeks and drainages along the Miwok Trail that quickly dry up after rainy season.

Oak trees and open fields. If you look carefully in the appropriate seasons you'll find hives of ladybugs and tadpoles and small frogs near the creeks.

The land was purchased in 1873 by Irish immigrant Thomas Murphy who used it as a ranch. In 1988 his grandson sold 700 acres of Round Valley to the East Bay Regional Park District to be preserved as open space for public enjoyment. All historic objects are protected; please do not disturbed them.