Lake Chabot | A Loop With Pretty Views

Lake Chabot is a glimmering gem, nestled smack dab in the middle of the rolling hills of Castro Valley. It’s a very family-friendly park with lots of activities to enjoy, like picnicking, fishing, rowing, paddle-boating, biking, jogging and yes, hiking!

Surprisingly, even with all of the high foot traffic, the 9-mile loop around this beautiful lake offers quite a bit of serenity and solitude through varied dreamy terrains of marshland, and groves of oak, bay laurel and eucalyptus. Spectacular views of the lake can be had from various vantage points. Lots of benches provided to just sit and take it all in. The trail is gentle, undulating, kind, never too strenuous or taxing. A perfect trail for a long, relaxing ramble.

It was a beautiful sunny Saturday morning. We were in a slow groove and didn’t want to drive too far to get hiking, especially since it was already 11am! I remembered having a really pleasant hike around Lake Chabot with a Meetup group, a couple of years ago—good suggestion! Taking it easy and keeping it local proved to be a great decision. It only took us about 20 minutes, from Oakland. You can park in the lot for $5 or park out on the street (Lake Chabot Road) for free.

Walking into the park, we were immediately impressed by all of the signage providing clear directions and information. Right at the end of the parking lot, we were guided immediately on to the 9-mile hike, and reminded it would take approximately 4 hours and that having plenty of water is a good idea. Helpful. Nice!

View from the East Shore

ROUTE

LAKE CHABOT MARINA > EAST SHORE TRAIL > HONKER BAY TRAIL > COLUMBINE TRAIL > BASS COVE TRAIL > WEST SHORE TRAIL > MARINA

STATS & FACTS

Parking Fee: $5
Dog Fee: $2
Distance: 9 Miles
Hike Style: Loop
Elevation Climb: 700 ft
Hike Level: Moderate
Lake Chabot website
East Bay Regional Parks maps (Lake Chabot map)

Trail Notes

Begin at the Marina
From the Marina, you can do the 9-mile loop hike by starting out in either direction. East or west. We chose to begin on the sunny side, which at around noon, was the East Shore. You can access the East Shore by walking directly down from the parking lot heading towards the arm pull-up rings fitness station and then crossing into the Turtle Picnic area. From there, you can follow fellow hikers and bikers onto the well-paved East Shore Trail, running right alongside the lake. The East side does not pass the Marina Cafe, that’s the West Shore.

East Shore Trail > Honker Bay Trail
As busy as the East Shore Trail is, the crowd thins out quickly. Stairs lead people down to the many fishing piers. Side hikes, like Indian Cove entice folks off the main path and into the woods. Before even hitting mile 2 you’ll cross the cool suspension bridge that takes you over a creek and onto the Honker Bay Trail, where the path is no longer paved! It’s mostly kinda flat, making it easy to feast on the views of idyllic marshland. You don’t have to be a bird watcher to appreciate the sighting of a lone Great Blue Heron contemplating. A string of ducks quietly performing an orchestrated dance across the lake. An island of seagulls just chillaxing in the middle of the water.

Honker Bay to Columbine Trail
Between Honker Bay and the Columbine Trail, inspiring splashes of color and glimpses of the lake are very easy on the eyes and soul. The dirt road path during this leg of the hike is pretty flat and runs along the shore, for the most part. Though water is inviting, especially on a warm day, swimming in the lake is strictly prohibited, due to the fact that Lake Chabot serves as a back-up emergency water supply. Currently, there is also a warning about why people and pets should not come in contact with the water due to the presence of blue-green algae.

Some incline occurs as Honker gently climbs you up towards the Columbine Trail. A bench offers respite and rewards with a great view of the lake, and on a clear day the Sutro Tower and the San Francisco city skyline.

Columbine Trail > Bass Cove > West Shore > Marina
The Columbine portion of the hike is my favorite stretch. This single track path, high up in a eucalyptus forest, is pretty much the mid-point of the loop. Plenty of picturesque spots to stop for lunch. It’s easy to simply dissolve into the soft breeze and just flow through the trees and breathe in deeply all of the healing scents all around you.

Once you make it out of the enchanted forest of the Columbine Trail, it’s an easy homestretch to Bass Cove, crossing the Dam and then winding up on the West Shore Trail leading you back to the Marina.