East Shore-Heron Bay Loop at Del Valle

I've been taking care of my daughter during the weekdays while I am on a reduced work schedule for the summer (I am a teacher), so most of my hikes and outings lately have been geared more towards her. However, today (a Sunday), I got to have a solo hike for the first time in a long time. I decided to check out a trail that I have been thinking about at one of my all-time favorite open space parks: Del Valle Regional Park. It was a surprisingly cool day for summer in Livermore, and it was really lovely to hike in the morning.

Detail from the EBRPD map

This 3.85-mile hike starts from the Arroyo Road Staging Area at the far north end of Del Valle. This part of the park is near Sycamore Grove Park.

Take the East Shore Trail past the Arroyo del Valle, which is fed by the dam to the reservoir, and up the steep hill. This part of the trail is by far the hardest part of the whole loop. Once you get to the oak tree at the crest with the two benches under it, then it is all smooth sailing from then on.

I took the single-track Heron Bay Trail down, and I recommend this route. It was quieter and the path was more beautiful as it wound through shady clusters of oaks. The water is just stunningly blue against the golden browns of the grassy hills and the greens of the oaks and walnuts. I liked hiking closer down to the water to see the boaters and the fishermen.

The climb up back on East Shore Trail is surprisingly not bad at all. The wide trail is well graded (better graded than Heron Bay), and there was a lovely cool breeze blowing off of the lake. I was worried that this would be a hard part of the hike because it is so exposed, but it was much easier than the initial climb to get to the reservoir.

This loop could be extended: both Heron Bay and East Shore Trails continue on, looping back against each other multiple more times. I headed back when I did to help out with nap time, but I can easily imagine coming back here to explore further into the park. It would also be cool to do a shuttle car system, hiking from the north end of the park to the south end where I could meet my family at the swimming area. Plans for another day!

I do not recommend this hike for people with very young kids. I saw a family on a hike with a parent carrying a toddler in a carrier, and it seemed like they were pretty worn out. There are lots of more kid-friendly sections of the park in the southern end.