It was a bit muddy from the rain, but still a lovely site to go for a run this past Sunday, along the West Loop Trail, the flatter route among several trails here. The entrance can be found near Laughlin Road. I enjoyed the scenery at sunset, the clouds lit in a beautiful pinkish hue, and being surrounded by nature, tranquil ponds, and views of the windmills on the hills. As soon as I entered the dirt path, I was greeted by a rabbit who soon hopped away, but not before I snapped a couple pics. There were also gnats and mosquitos in the air, the sounds of crickets chirping, and of course grazing cows. When I made it back, I found that same cottontail had returned to the exact spot I initially found the cute and cuddly creature. It was like deja vu. Other things to note... there were a couple picnic tables near the parking lot (Laughlin Ranch Staging Area), a restroom, and surprisingly good cell phone service on site. read more

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Trails for everyone. Short, flat, uphill, around hills, median and long trails. it has everything that it takes and what you can do.

Yes it's dog friendly and wide open spaces makes it easy to take a break from BayArea. Parking is limited and might be difficult on weekends! read more

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First time hiking ever! I came upon this place looking for a close trail to do some hiking on google. The road gets narrow when you're about to hit the location. The grass is already turning yellow because of the season but I don't mind, the view was still perfect. I chose the simple Laughlin Loop trail for a short sample but I heard from other hikers I've met here that there are close to 7 miles of hiking available. I'll probably try that another time. Mine only took 45 minutes and it was relieving for a first time hiker. I well truly believe back with some friends and try that 7 mile hike. What a view! read more

Just a shot of the sru, dead scenery. Can't wait until. It's green again. Hiked 3 miles, is normally done 6 but I wasn't hiking alone this day. Try all the trails if you go, then go back and do them in reverse. read more

Brushy Peak Regional Preserve - Can't wait until it's all green. - Hiking Near Me

Quiet, serene and perfect place to hike and take landscape photos. The turbines up the hill is magnificent! I can't get enough pictures of this place! read more

Brushy Peak Regional Preserve - picturesque! - Hiking Near Me

A nice piece of haven. The trail are beautiful. I found a wonderful place to hike. I'm thrilled that I found a place I can enjoy a wonderful hike. read more

Very nice trail... great views and the park was very well maintained. I'd recommend if you have dogs and familes :) read more

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Brushy Peak is a hidden gem in the East Bay. Located just north of Vasco road nestled beneath the windmills on the Altamont Pass. I'm blessed to be able to ride my bicycle from my office at lunchtime to the regional park which is 12.25 miles one-way. The trails are challenging and will strengthen your endurance. The parking lot has restrooms and maps of the park are available for free. No drinking water, so BYOW. Sunscreen and a visor recommended. read more

Brushy Peak Regional Preserve - 12.5 mile round trip from work to Brushy Peak - Hiking Near Me

We found a coyote head at Brushy Peak! Austin Ca$h on YouTube for our Hiking adventures and secret trails at Brushy Peak! read more

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A great place to hike in the Livermore area! There are multiple trails that you can take which is nice since you're able to choose whatever you're most comfortable with. As other reviews mentioned, I'd agree that it's better to come here in the winter or on a colder day since there's little to no shade in the area at all and it does tend to get on the hotter end. I visited on a Saturday morning and it wasn't too crowded at all. There's a small parking lot right at the entrance that does seem to fill up quickly. It is dog-friendly here, however, take care of your pooch and keep a good lookout since there's a good amount of coyotes that enjoy roaming the area. Overall, perfect for families and beginners! read more

Brushy Peak Regional Preserve - Hiking Near Me

There are two trails one is about 2 miles long and that's the one we tried with our small dog. The trail was very muddy because of all the rain we got recently so wear your hiking boots. There is no shaded spot for the short trail so I won't recommend it if the weather is really hot. Parking was easy and there is a public bathroom by the parking lot. read more

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This is a great local trail. I think this time of year (fall/winter) is the best time to do it because there is no shade and it can get quite hot in the summer! It's super close to where I am and it's a fantastic place to either hike, trail run or bike. It's gotten a little busier over the years on weekends, but fortunately there is always parking! When it rains, this whole park becomes a giant mud pit. I would wait a few days after the most recent rain and then go. :) Early mornings, you can see the low-hanging clouds move over the valley which makes for excellent views that are not hard to get to. This is one of the easier hikes in Livermore - it's a good starter hike for anyone wanting to get into it. read more

Took the homeschoolers (twin boys age 10) on a field trip today. It was just what we needed. I'd heard the parks and trails were crowded at times and were one way but not here.. the trails were like 6 feet wide and only passed 3 other people/families on our trail. Thought I'd heard bikes weren't allowed on the trails yet but saw 2 bikers as we entered the parking lot and one we passed on the trail was on his bike... we may try that next time as my boys are just finally getting the gears figured out on their mountain bikes. Great place to give it a try! The views at the top of the peaks are great.. we did the Laughlin trail which was shorter and probably not as scenic as others, but it was our first time. I can see how it could be torturing HOT on days over 85 degree as there is no shade on the trails. Today was perfect around 78 degrees. There is a shaded picnic table near the parking lot we saw families at on the way up and again on the way back. Parking was easy and people were respectful of social distancing. Nobody in masks, though asked to wear one if many are around (maybe the weekend).. Today we saw many little gophers, lizards, some bunnies, lots of cows and even had a couple follow us on the trail which freaked my boys out for a minute til I told them they were following the one ahead that left the herd while they were taking photos the other direction . I could have hiked longer as we stopped a lot to look at lots of little creatures on the way but was time well spent with my kids, outdoors and felt like something we had to drive a long ways a way far away from everything else, but only 10 min from home. So, weather cooperated and was super close for us.. best part, all FREE (even parking).. so 5 stars from us! read more

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It is a very good place to hike in the tri-valley especially during the spring time. They preserve has a bathroom, it has multiple hikes. The scenery was beautiful. I would rate it as a moderate hike with decent elevation. It took us 2-2.5 hrs to complete the brushy peak trail. read more

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Being a Livermore local, Brushy Peak is a great preserve to go hiking or trail running at! I've experienced all seasons and the best time to go is spring. The hills are lush with green and the weather is just perfect with chill temperatures and lots of sun. Unfortunately, the green came and went by May and it's back to the yellow tall grasses, not saying that yellow isn't amazing, but the green surrounding the preserve and Livermore with the windmills in the background is just a beautiful sight. As for the trailhead, there are two ways to enter. There's one near the parking lot entrance that you can embark on the steep incline or you can enter through the less steep side near the restroom. The trails are pretty well paved and there are a couple hills to go up and down, but the 4.5 mile loop is great to get your mind off things or to catch up with friends. There's also many wildlife around. There are the herds of cows that may sometime crowd on a trail, don't worry you can just shoo them away. I've seen snakes, rabbits, and groundhogs so it's a very active wildlife area. read more

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What a beautiful hike! A friend of mine recommended Brushy Peak as an easier hike for children. While there are a few hills, nothing that a 4 or 5 year old cannot handle. We did the hike during prime fire season, which meant CA's golden hills were seen instead of green ones, but it was still a beautiful hike. To those familiar with Livermore's windmills, you definitely get a close up of them. Bring some water, bring your dog if you have one as they allow dogs on leash & enjoy the stroll. Apparently it's even more beautiful around the March/April time frame! And a major bonus, parking is free. read more

Brushy Peak Regional Preserve - Hiking Near Me

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Found this on Yelp. We used to live nearby and didn't know this hiking area exist. Thanks to Yelpers. It's peaceful here. Long and Open trails. It can get very hot or very cold depending on the weather. Today was freezing and we expected mini hiking trails. We ended hiking for 4 hours during lunch time, but luckily we had enough water and snacks to accommodate us.......and there's no such thing as mini hiking here. It's all uphill once you start.......gradual at first but it gets steeper. I would say, it's about 3-4 miles uphill. For people who have knee problems, this is not advisable. Must take Advil, hiking stick and knee support. Yes! For people like me, who also sprained my right ankle while hiking yesterday at Lake Chabot. As we walk on the trail and tell stories, we just keep hiking up not realizing we made it to the top. My hands and ears were frozen cause we didn't come prepared. At least now we will know what to expect if we decided to come back. There are many trails but I think we took the strenuous trail. So, depending on your hiking level, everyone can enjoy their hikes and chosen trails. Recommendation: probably better to start hiking early in the day. Dress accordingly. Bring water, and snacks. Do not text while on the trail...... Pay attention, there's a lot of Cow poop. Lol There's a nice view from the top, bring a camera. read more

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Wow was an amazing experience. We only did the short trail. We are planing to go back for the big onece next time and on.

The "mission peak" hike of livermore. A very peaceful hike, somewhat strenuous at certain stretched. read more

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My favorite hike during winter time! Today was no exception. Very peaceful hike and parking is always non-chaotic. I'd take the West Loop Trail as a starting point due to lesser incline vs starting from the Brushy Peak Loop Trail side. The views start to become very scenic halfway through the hike. read more

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This is a very beautiful, serene trail to hike. A moderate hike with stunning views of the hills and just overall nature. We came here a day after it rained so it was pretty muddy but still a fun and beautiful hike. There's a small stream at the top of the hill. You will also come across quite a few cows but they are harmless as long as you are good to them. We will definitely come back here again. read more

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2 things I love.. Running and being outdoors. And for both of these Brushy Peak is a great place to come. There are two trails you can take - one directly to the top of the 1,700-foot peak or one slightly longer that goes around it which is a lot less steep. I enjoy my incline Run's so my favorite is to go directly to the top but on those day's where I have a less enthusiastic Husband in tow I'm happy to take either. Both are great for Running or Hiking depending on your fitness level and are not too long. If you take the route all the way around it's 4.4miles with the option to add roughly another 2. The views are quite impressive, you can see a lot of Livermore. The trail is also Dog friendly but they MUST be kept on a leash. Please don't be that person that let's your Dog run free scaring people and pooping all over the place. Not cool. *TIP* There is almost no shade so remember to wear Sunscreen and keep hydrated . read more

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Okay, okay, it was on my bucket list, I wanted to go to the top some time. So, one day off in October, with my daughter in school and the hunny taking a nap, I took the long drive to the other side of Livermore and went to the top of Brushy Peak. Unfortunately for my wife, I came back down and went home. This walk in the park is not easy. But it's not very hard, either. Parts of it are a little steep, most is not. It's much easier than Fremont's Mission Peak. But the views are not drop-dead gorgeous, or even slightly impressive like on Mission Peak. The only real shade is on the long stretch at the top. And this country can get very hot. Thankfully, there is water available at the parking lot, so load up the water bottle; you and Fido will need it. The actual peak is in a Resource Protection Area. EBRPD gives the definition on the sign: "KEEP OUT". The trail to the top is a small footpath not on the map but easy to find once you're there. It's the steepest part of the trip, probably 500 feet to the barb wire fence with the KEEP OUT sign. If you squeeze through to reach the top, then leave only footprints, take only photos, and don't disturb the deer or trees. Brushy Peak is good for: A strong cardiovascular workout. A look at what the Bay Area was like before all the suburban development after World War II. A picnic with your date when you get to the oak forest at the top (hint to Denise L). An undeveloped wonderland to let your dog run and you hang onto the leash. It's a convenient jaunt close to 580, and if you don't get there, Mission Peak is better anyway. read more

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Came here on a Sunday morning the day after it had rained. If you're not in the mood to get covered in mud, I would probably hold off on hiking here. We hiked about a quarter of a mile before having to turn back. We were sinking in mud and my dogs were up to their chests in mud (given they are pretty low to the ground). It was a beautiful hike (the little we did see), very green and clean. There's lots of parking and a single clean bathroom at the start of the trails. There's maps as well and the trail heads were pretty obvious and direct. We definitely will come back once the rains let up for a bit, and the trails dry up a tad. read more

Brushy Peak Regional Preserve - It was a bit muddy - Hiking Near Me

I love this hike, this is a better workout than sitting on my couch A little harder depending on the weather conditions, but worth every inch of it. read more

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Pretty nice spot for a hike. I've hiked in several of the area's regional preserves and this one is probably a bit more crowded than others on weekends? It would make sense as it's really close to downtown Livermore. Lots of rocks covering "Brushy Peak" and you know what that means - snakes...rattlers! With rocks, sun, water and an abundant food supply, it's really nice rattlesnake habitat. And...while hiking, I saw a big, fat rattler just off the trail. It didn't seem bothered by our presence, so we keep moving and left it alone. Oh, there are cows too. They'll move out of the way if you keep walking - just don't stare them down in the eyes - they aren't too fond of that move (my brother can tell you that after a huge cow charged him after doing so in a nearby open space.) Good parking, water, restrooms and clear trail markings make Brushy Peak a winner. 4 solid stars. read more

Very nice and beautiful hike! Definitely not for the newcomers or people like myself who say "I go to the gym everyday I can hike" Wow my legs and butt are on fire at points of this If you want a leg workout this is the place Very steep in some areas, up and down, so definitely recommend a good pair of shoes read more

Brushy Peak Regional Preserve - Hiking Near Me

A great loop trail with a nice view of the Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton Tri Valley Link to my You Tube Review: https://youtu.be/Lk1Zi3ddTmE A part of the fantastic East Bay Park System #Eastbayparks read more

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On our ongoing quest to enjoy all of the amazing hiking locations that the Bay Area has to offer, we made our way here. Going on a cool day was key, seeing that there is very little, if any, shade and things can get quite hot out in Livermore. There is no cost to park and they have semi-real restrooms. (No flush.) There are a few trail options, all loops. I'm a big fan of loops, since there is no back-tracking and you can combine loops to create your own longer hike. We did just over 4 miles (Brushy Peak Loop to West Side Loop), which was perfect. Watch out for snakes! The good news is that most of the trail is wide open, so you can see what's ahead. I was at the front of our group and knew something was wrong when my honey just said, clearly and calmly, "Emily. Stop." Sure enough, there was a GIANT* SNAKE** crossing the trail up ahead. We waited patiently for it to complete its journey into the brush and then, with a bit more caution, continued on our way. We are experienced hikers and I would call this an easy-moderate hike. There is some good climbing and you are rewarded with beautiful views. We'll definitely be back, perhaps before doing some wine tasting. *My honey and friend, neither of whom are petrified of snakes like I am, confirmed that it was a very big snake. ** The bright side was it wasn't a rattle snake. However we came across other hikers as we neared the parking lot who shared that they had seen a rattle snake earlier that day. read more

My husband and I really enjoyed this hike. We took the Brushy Peak trail and we weren't exactly sure when we hit "Brushy Peak", but we assumed it was once we were near the top in a brushy area. We went in April, which was great because everything was nice and green, and it was still cool, but also warm enough that you weren't freezing. We saw 2 snakes while we were out. One just slithered across the path and the other didn't budge when we jumped/hopped/ran around it. I would definitely do it again! read more

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I have been hiking at Brushy Peak for 5 years 3x a week. It is my favorite place in the world, however, this past year the cows have gotten out of control. This year it seems like there have been double the normal amount of calves and this has left the cows being extremely aggressive. They will charge at large distances. I have contacted EBRPD multiple times with no response. I just got charges one the trail by a cow that was half a football field away. I have also witnessed others who were giving adequate space getting charges as well this year. Do better EBRPD read more

After reading the reviews, I made this hiking adventure a priority! I took our three girls, seven years old, nine years old, and 13 years old. They all did great! Even with the steep incline when you first start the hike! I was out of breath, but it was great exercise for the body! It was absolutely beautiful and perfect weather for the beginning of October. There is absolutely no shade, so I would not hike this any hotter than high 70s. Hiking shoes are a must for when you start making the decline around the hill because the dirt is soft and a bit slippery. I like that they have bathrooms before starting the hike and that there is no fee for parking. I will definitely hike this again, but try a different trail next time to add variety. read more

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What a fun surprise, courtesy of (once again) the East Bay Regional Park District's 2017 Trails Challenge: http://www.ebparks.org/TrailsChallenge. I'd have never known Brushy Peak existed, let alone been inspired to visit. The park is located off the Vasco Road exit on 580 with a few turns to get you down the narrow road to the park. Free and plentiful parking with a good amount of foot & bike traffic on the trails, even very early in the morning. Gates open at 8 and when I arrived 8:30 on a Saturday morning, the lot was about 1/3 or more full. By 11:30 it was nearly 100% full. There are not a ton of trails so the park is pretty easy to navigate. Thanks to the guidebook for the 2017 trails challenge, the featured hike takes you through most of the trails. A six mile loop took my friend and I on the Laughlin Ranch Loop Trail to the Tamcan Trail, up the Brushy Peak Trail and then back down via the West Side Loop Trail. The elevation gain wasn't too steep, but over several inclines scattered throughout the hike, our guidebook said we gained a total of 2103 feet. Our hike was moderate-challenging, made more so by muddy trails and storm damaged paths that we needed to skirt around. I can see it being easier once the ground dries up a bit more BUT the time to go is in winter or early spring where the green hills and blue skies are particularly dramatic & striking. Along the route, we encountered cattle grazing but they seemed pretty docile and didn't pay us any mind. The peak itself is absolutely gorgeous-hands down the best part of the hike! Heading up to the top was pretty moderate and the rewards paid off in spades. Interesting rocky (and brushy-hence the name!) terrain with sweeping views, cool rock formations and a few wildflowers spattered along the peak. With quite a few photo stops, slow going as we crossed muddy areas and a quick snack break at the peak, the whole loop took us 3 hours. We felt very safe all along due to the number of other trail goers, but it wasn't overly crowded. I can see if I lived in Livermore this being my go-to weekend or after work hiking spot. Thank you once again to EPRD for their wonderful work on maintaining these trails and organizing the annual trails challenge! 2017 East Bay Regional Parks District Trails Challenge Hike #2 Miles hike on featured hike: 6 Total Miles Hiked on Challenge: 10.08 read more

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First time up here last weekend, it's a popular spot. Brushy Peak loop is a good 3 miles I would estimate with some decent inclines. The view from the highly elevated spots is great. Good place to bring the dog on a long hike. I will definitely be back several Times especially since it's so close to where I live. read more

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Short fun bike trail. Hike up is hard but the view from the top is nice. Rolling down the trail is fun, three trails and we're done. read more

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I'm not a hiker. Yet I had a fabulous time (hiking!) at Brushy Peak the other day. There are two sides to this 1,700-foot-tall peak: the public-access side operated by the East Bay Regional Park District (more the south side) and the other side owned by the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District. I have not been to the EBParks side, but went on a guided ranger tour of the LARPD side. This side of Brushy Peak is accessible only by guided tour. But it's so worth it to sign up for a hike and go out of your way to do it. Perhaps I never liked hiking before because I went with friends who only care about going fast and not taking time to look around. Seriously, what's the point then? Going with two rangers was a totally different story. They know all about the history of the park as well as the natural rock formations, identifying wildflowers, etc. It was really cool. And once again, let me say I had some trepidation before going ... being that it was uphill and I'm out of shape. You do get tired along the way, but it was a fairly gradual uphill, you don't make a straight line for the top. Some of the coolest stuff was much further down the hill anyway. It's kind of neat because it's in the Altamont, so you can hear the motors (are there motors?) in the windmills. I went on a perfect spring day. Don't try to find your own way out here, though, at least to the LARPD side because it is closed except for guided tours because of the sensitive nature of the site. If you'd rather check it out on your own, head for the EB Parks side. This may have just changed my mind about hiking. Maybe. read more

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A good quick little hike. If you don't want to make the trek to Mission Peak and Dell Valle is getting old, this is a fun hike to get your nature/excercise fix. Shade is very scarce so wear sunscreen and bring a hat. The trail doesn't exactly go to the top of Brushy peak, but instead circumnavigates the peak, and you walk all the way around it. Clean trail, easy footing, probably about 60-70 mintes round trip depending on your fitness level. read more

Brushy Peak Regional Preserve - Looking back towards Livermore. - Hiking Near Me

Pretty long hike and loop at Brushy Peak, but it was well worth it in the end. At least you won't need to backtrack, as either direction takes you back to the parking lot. There's not a whole lot of shade, so even during the fall/winter months, you should still wear a hat or have sunscreen on. When you get to the top of the hills, you'll see the Brushy Peak's summit, although it is not accessible. In addition, there are absolutely wonderful views of the Tri-Valley! Typically, this hike will take about 60 minutes to complete. read more

Came here for a Sunday evening hike with a couple of friends in late April. It's been on my list of places to hike for at least a year now. Very nice views on a clear day, especially towards the Altamont windmills. The trails are numerous....and so are the cow patties. This place definitely gives you a good sweat. The cows are cute. The bugs are not. There's not much shade, so I wouldn't want to hike here during the hottest months. read more