Hikes

Public Paths Festival
Saturday & Sunday, September 26-27, 2026
Five separate walks & hikes

Our second annual Public Paths Festival provides a weekend of opportunities to explore a selection of oft-overlooked paths and trails outside the Hillside Natural Area. These walks visit hidden creeks, neighborhoods of fine homes, riparian habitats and historic spots. We will see how these stairways and paths enliven our neighborhoods; we'll also observe several trails that are impassable and learn what Trekkers is doing to restore them. For more information, including a full program of the weekend's events, visit the Public Paths Festival page.

Millions of years before the first humans arrived, North Berkeley was strewn with rock formations. Today the area includes lovely parks where remnants of its geologic past can be seen.

Popular tour leader Rodney Paul will discuss the Native American presence in this area, the creation of the parks, and their role in the first housing developments.

The walk is 1.5 miles, 300 feet elevation gain. Bring poles if needed. The tour ends at Great Stoneface Park, a 15 minute walk from our start.

In the early 1990s El Cerrito’s two-mile stretch of the Ohlone Greenway had exactly one tree – until someone cut it down. It's a different place today. For the trees and plants on El Cerrito’s two mile stretch of the Ohlone Greenway, we can thank volunteers, a city contract arborist, and a dedicated city official and staff.

Let’s walk the Greenway while hearing from Steve Price, organizer and lead volunteer, and Steve Batchelder, then the city’s consulting arborist. Every block along the Greenway has its own story – including the mysterious Dinosaur Forest.

Co-sponsored by the El Cerrito Trail Trekkers and the El Cerrito Historical Society

NOTE: This flat, two-mile walk ends at Del Norte BART.

This walk reprises the first gathering in July; see our 2026 Hikes page.

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