Water Dog Loop Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

This hike utilizes trails that are part of the John Brooks Memorial Open Space with Water Dog Lake. There are a number of urban singletrack trails in the open space to create your own loop from multiple entry points. This hike is popular with runners, hikers, and mountain bikers and it is highlighted by great views of the SF Bay.

You can add more mileage by extending the loops further along the trail and go all the way to Water Dog Lake. There are multiple route options back down to the canyon as well.

Start at the bottom of the hill in the canyon at the end of the road with a parking lot. You'll find hikers, mountain bikers, and runners depending on the time of day. This trail starts with a somewhat steep, steady climb up the ridge, and eventually you come to the top with views of the Bay from SF down to San Jose as well as the East Bay.

The trail is mostly covered with trees and shrubs along the whole route. This route takes a short-cut up to the top of the ridge to hike back around the top of the ridge before taking singletrack switchbacks on the Finch Trail back down to the canyon with a short canyon trail that runs along a seasonal stream bed.

Lots of scrub oak with manzanita and other brush.