Vollmer Peak

Rising 1,905 feet above San Francisco Bay, Vollmer Peak claims the title as the highest point in the Berkeley Hills. The summit is easily attainable from several trailheads in Tilden Regional Park. Communications towers rest atop the peak, where you'll get 360-degree views of San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay and Mount Diablo. A paved, multi-use trail begins at the steam train parking lot and borrows a half mile segment from the Seaview Trail before continuing to the top via Vollmer Peak Road. This short, scenic hike registers just under 2 miles out and back, or it can be extended with a combination of Lupine, Arroyo, Seaview, or Vollmer Peak trails. Departing from the same parking facility, the 250-foot climb to Vollmer Peak via the southern portion of Vollmer Peak Trail is a slightly more direct dirt track. Longer routes to the vista depart from Arroyo Picnic Area along Lupine Peak Trail, with an option of continuing along Lupine or branching off to the south on Vollmer Peak Trail. Bikes are allowed on the lower portion of Vollmer Peak Trail; however, they are not permitted on the steep singletracks approaching the summit. Portions of Vollmer Peak Trail and Seaview Trail are also part of the 1,200-mile Anza Trail that brought early Spanish settlers to San Francisco from Arizona. The grassy Berkeley Hills are home to rabbits, lizards, and a variety of birds. Keep in mind that South Park Drive closes seasonally (November 1 through March 31) in an effort to protect migrating newt populations.