The outlined hikes are day walks, from four to eight hours long. The "Trail Map of Mt. Diablo State Park"  is an indispensable trail companion and should be consulted to understand the suggested itineraries. To find the trailheads and to orient yourself properly, you are urged to purchase a copy of the "Trail Map of Mt. Diablo State Park"

There is no potable water on these trails, and you should carry drinks with you. Many of the trails are narrow and may not have been recently cleared, and you may run across poison oak: If you think you are susceptible, it is best to protect your limbs with appropriate clothing. Such protection also comes in handy in keeping away ticks. And keep in mind that in summer the mountain gets pretty hot in the sun, so carry some head gear. In all other seasons, carry at least a light jacket to ward off chill winds which can arise suddenly.

Trail Statistics:
The suggested loop follows Mitchell Canyon Road to Deer Flat, Deer Flat Road to Juniper Campground, and Juniper Trail to the Lower Summit Parking Lot. The summit itself is inside the Visitor Center rotunda, a short distance uphill. Return from the Lower Parking Lot alone the Summit Trail to Devils Elbow, then to Prospectors Gap via North Peak Trail. to Murchio Gap via Bald Ridge Trail, down Back Creek Trail to the Coulter Pine Trail at the base of the mountain, and back to the trail head. The loop is 14.0 miles long, and the total climb is 3400 feet.

Description:
This is the definitive Mt. Diablo hike - the total mountain experience. It encompasses all of the park's life zones, from meadow lands to rocky summit, and the ever-changing views are simply stunning. A major portion of the loop consists of intimate single-track trails, in close encounter with the wilderness - including some poison oak which invites a cautious eye. Make no mistake - this is a challenging hike, with some astoundingly steep stretches, but the result is exhilarating. In winter time the meadow trails can be very mucky.

Trail Statistics:
Follow the Knobcone Point Road to the Black Hawk Ridge Road. Turn right onto this road, descend into Sycamore Canyon, and then climb again until you reach Oyster Point Road. Follow this until it fades away. and then climb cross-country to reach the obvious Oyster Point summit (there is no trail). The round trip is 8.8 miles, and the total climb is 1750 feet on up-and-down terrain.

Description:
This hike is not difficult, except for the last mad scramble up Oyster Point, around sandstone barricades and avoidable lush groves of poison oak. The summit is a Miocene sandstone hogback, where you may perch on a rocky throne of your choice to view the glorious panorama of San Ramon and the Bay Area beyond, and, in the opposite direction, the wilderness of Jackass Canyon far below. The scenery along the way to your destination is constantly changing and is a source of unending delight - meadow wildflowers in the spring, fall colors in the depths of Sycamore Canyon, and the fantastic Domengine sandstone formations to the east of Knobcone Point at any time.

Trail Statistics
Follow Donner Canyon Road to Middle Trail, which takes you to Prospectors Gap Road. Turn left and climb steeply to Prospectors Gap, here follow the North Peak Road and Trail to Mt. Olympia. Complete the loop alone Olympia Road and Trail (avoid private property), and return to the previously traversed Donner Canyon Road along the Cardinet Oaks Road, finally retracing your steps to the trailhead. The complete loop is 9.9 miles, with a climb of 3,000 feet.

Description:
Mt. Olympia is one of the park's prime destinations, a rugged outcrop with fantastic views of dizzying canyons, particularly with the mists of winter. Middle Trail is a nature lover's delight, and the climb toward Prospectors Gap and descent from North Peak are - let us say - challenging.

Trail Statistics:
This is trail No. 2 shown on the State Park Trail Map. The 7.3-mile loop follows Wall Point Road to its junction with the Summit Trail, which is followed in turn up to the Barbecue Terrace Trail. This trail takes you to the Barbecue Terrace Road which descends into Pine Canyon and eventually joins Stage Road. At an aluminum gate on the left side of Stage Road, a connector trail will take you across Pine Ridge back to the Wall Point Road and the trailhead. The total climb is 1600 feet. The hike is not difficult, but roads get gummy in wet weather.

Description:
Rolling meadow lands, oak savannas, fine views of the main peak, hogbacks and sandstone fantasy, riparian habitat and great birding - this pleasant day hike has everything. Watch for signs of recent fire activity, both prescribed and wild.

Trail Statistics:
This is a shorter version of the Mitchell Canyon Loop hike (see above). A little-beyond the gate at the trailhead turn left and follow the wide road eastward through the foothill meadows to Back Creek.

Turn right and follow Back Creek Road and Trail to Tick Wood Trail. This path takes you to Donner Canyon Road, and a right turn soon brings you to Middle Trail, which climbs up to Prospectors Gap Road. Turn right and go to Murchio Gap. Locate the Deer Flat Creek Trail, which eventually joins Meridian Ridge Road to reach Deer Flat. Take Mitchell Canyon Road back to the trailhead. This Giant Loop is 9.2 miles long, with a climb of 1900 feet.

                                                                                        Tick Wood Trail runs through a quiet open woodland.

Description:
The Little Giant Loop is exceptional in spring, with its mass wildflower displays. The display is particularly striking on the Middle Trail, a fragile ecological treasure, and the Deer Flat Creek Trail, site of many rare serpentine tolerant plants. Deer Flat is one of the mountain's loveliest spots, a symphony of bird song, a restful place for a picnic. The Tick Wood Trail near the start has no more ticks than most trails. Spring rains make for soggy footing - but the mysterious oak groves with emerald grassy carpets make the struggle worth while.

Trail Statistics:
Start in a northwesterly direction on the Summit Trail, across the highway from the pull-out. Just before the trail crosses the highway, make a sharp left on an unnamed trail, that descends to Wall Point Road. Go west until you reach a saddle before the climb to Wall Point itself - look out for a small connector trail on the right that descends to Barbecue Terrace Road. Then take this road (it eventually becomes Stage Road), and 0.34 miles beyond Pine Pond carefully look for a trail on the right that crosses the creek - Sunset Trail. At this trail's northern end, turn right to get eventually onto Burma Road. Follow this all the way to Deer Flat Road, and just before Juniper Campground take the Juniper Trail, Summit Trail, and Green Ranch Road to the site of the former Green Ranch. Descend on Alder Creek Road, with a side trip to Frog Pond. Return to trailhead via frog Pond and Curry Canyon Roads. A total climb of 3200 feet and 17.4 miles of hiking await you!

Description:
This is a long, tough hike for expert map readers who have good instinct for following faint trails, and is an exhilarating scramble up and down the flanks of the mountain!

Trail Statistics:
Follow Burma Road beyond Moses Rock Spring, then descend on Burma Spring Trail to Mothers Trail, which ends at Angel Kerley Road. This shortly joins Burma Road, which takes you back to the trailhead. A 4.2-mile loop, 1260-foot climb.

Description:
After a short but astoundingly steep climb, Burma Road (named for the World War II mountainous supply route) gradually traverses Long Ridge and crosses a broad band of serpentinite and peridotite with its weird rocks and stunted plants, a wildly barren stretch which contrasts with the lush grasses on the slumpy slopes. This is also a great birding area; rough-legged hawks, ash-throated flycatchers, horned larks. At Moses Rock, a biblical spring issues from a crevice. Scramble to the top of the rock and find a little rock throne from which to lord it over the encompassing domain of beauty.

Trail Statistics:
At the entrance, take the road that goes straight ahead. Continue up to Highland Ridge (the Trail Map is essential!). turn left, and then right, descending into Riggs Canyon along a maze of unnamed roads. Take Oyster Point Trail to the destination. Round trip is 11.3 miles, with a total climb of 2660 feet.

Description:
This is an exploration of some of the least visited parts of the park. Riggs Canyon is a mysterious Shangri-La, a deep valley of unspoiled wilderness, ringed by sandstone walls and weirdly eroded spires. The final climb to the OysterPoint ridge and its wonderful vistas is cross-country; watch out for poison oak. On the return trip, take a right on the Highland Ridge Trail and take the right-hand road back to the trailhead along the crest of grassy hills offering splendid distant views of Mt. Diablo.

Trail Statistics:
Start by descending the Summit Trail to Devils Elbow. For the complete loop, take left turns at each junction: North Peak Trail to Prospectors Gap, Bald Ridge Trail to Murchio Gap, Deer Flat Creek Trail, Meridian Ridge and then Deer Flat Roads to Juniper Campground, and back up on the Juniper Trail. 6.8 miles with a total climb of 1820 feet.

Description:
This is a circumambulation of the summit along some of the park's most attractive hidden trails. The North Peak Trail has fantastic displays of wildflowers in the spring, including the rarely seen wind poppies. The Bald Ridge Trail has a new surprise every few yards - a tiny rock garden, an unexpected vista, perhaps a sighting of the elusive California thrasher. The Deer Flat Creek Trail is a gem, an exploration of the geology and rare botany of serpentine soils and rocks. And the Juniper Trail has its own set of rock gardens featuring tundra like stunted plants.

Trail Statistics:
Turn right at first road junction and soon there after right onto a small trail. At its end make a short left jog on the gated road to locate the posted Olympia Trail. Follow it and its continuation, the East Trail, to the summit. The round trip is 5 miles with a stiff 2200-foot climb.

Description:
This is arguably the steepest trail in the park. The first part is gentle enough, but things get a lot more challenging when you get to the flanks of Mt. Olympia - the total rise occurs in a little over a mile. There are many things to attract your attention on the way and to let you catch your breath - wildflowers well into summer, grotesquely eroded rock formations reminiscent of the American Southwest, the sequence of gradually expanding views. The climax view, of course, is from the summit itself.