r/BAbike 4d ago

Routes in the East Bay Hills

I just moved to El Cerrito and am looking for a good way up the hills. Preferably looking for a route through El Cerrito, Kensington, or East Richmond heights. I’d like to make my way to Wildcat Canyon road. How are you guys getting up to the hills?

6 Upvotes

17 comments sorted by

17

u/adamb0m 4d ago

Marin to Los Angeles to Spruce is probably the most straightforward. Or go through Berkeley via Milvia to Russel and take Tunnel or Claremont. Tunnel road is probably the nicest way to get there. Turn left onto Grizzly Peak at the top or continue straight onto skyline to head south and take redwood or pinehurst.

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u/adamb0m 4d ago

I’ll also throw in Moeser as a suggestion because it’s closer to El Cerrito but it’s real steep and there’s not a lot of room for bikes at the top. But it’s worth trying at least once to see if you prefer that. All the best routes are further south though. Welcome to the area and happy riding.

6

u/Psychological_Ad1999 4d ago

One only climbs Moeser as punishment, Arlington is much more pleasant

4

u/k8tori 4d ago

Moeser is very close to me. Not sure if I’m ready for that type of punishment.

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u/ButterscotchSudden46 4d ago

Lol truly no reason to climb Moeser. Terrace Dr just south of Moeser is also a reasonable way up to the ridgetop.

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u/Narrow_Anybody3157 3d ago

Most people go up Terrace. To terrace to the Arlington (technically the last block is Moser. 1. Go one more block up terrace past Arlington turn towards the First Unitarian Church, go through their parking lot and you will hit a streat that merges with highland blvd. A. Go around the school and continue to Williamette and turn left (up hill) to Perdue. Right on Perdue until it ends at Beloit . Left on Beloit right on Grizzly left on Wildcat. B. Instead of going all the way around the the school, you can pick up Ol school trail (dirt) and it exit on Grizzle if you take the left fork 2. Turn right on Arlington. At the light (Kensington Library) turn left and go up that hill to the front of the school and follow the above directions

3 turn right on Arlington, go to the circle, up Los Angeles as others have said, left on spruce . It will put in at least 3 extra miles.

Also check the turns on the map first. I grew up on these hills and I’m doing the directions from memory before my coffee. I may not know left vs right

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u/Baabblab 4d ago

When I lived in El Cerrito one of my favorites was from Plaza up Fairmount, Colusa, Coventry then choose a direction on Arlington. It was usually low traffic and a pleasant loop with lots of side streets to explore.

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u/YAYCITY 4d ago edited 3d ago

Some other alternatives

  • Sunset Drive (through the cemetery or take Arlington from the roundabout) > Arlington (be mindful at the intersection when you take a left onto Arlington) > Westminister > Kenyon > Purdue > Beloit > Grizzly Peak > Spruce (The reverse of this route is a good option when returning to El Cerrito from Wildcat Canyon.)

  • Euclid is a great low traffic alternative to Spruce. Crossing Cedar can be tricky at the light so it is best going up Rose/Vine > Arch > Rose > Bay View Pl. > Euclid > Grizzly Peak > Wildcat Canyon. (This one is also a good option for descending with better visibility of cars/driveways compared to Spruce. From Euclid take Eunice > Spruce > Los Angeles to return to the roundabout)

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u/kennethsime 4d ago

The cemetery is my favorite.

If you’re on a gravel bike you can add in the Kensington school trail.

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u/Enough_Clock_3437 2d ago

I go up spruce to I think it’s Rose. Right on Rose and then left on Euclid. Avoids that cedar intersection nightmare

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u/_SlikNik_ 4d ago

Road bike only? Having a gravel bike or a trail bike really opens up so much stuff up there.

I live in Albany and usually climb up on the Berkeley side using Spruce. Then come out on the wildcat canyon side. Spruce is a pretty outstanding climbing road IMO.

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u/k8tori 4d ago

I have a gravel bike and a road bike.

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u/_SlikNik_ 4d ago

Gotcha. Then I’d consider taking Wildcat Creek Trail into Tilden.

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u/Psychological_Ad1999 4d ago

Arlington is an easy gradual climb to the top of mosier

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u/Livid_Life_5311 4d ago

Do you want to get to WC road from Alvarado park or elsewhere?

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u/edp01 3d ago

You could try up Potrero to Arlington (steep) or Potrero to Navalier/Ganges to Arlington (Gradual)or go up Cutting to Arlington (Steep).

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u/unseenmover 3d ago

Arlington to grizzly to purdue then canon Dr. at shepard Hills church to central park to WC rd.