Wildcat Gorge, Meadows Canyon and Curran Trail

Wildcat Gorge, Meadows Canyon, and Curran Trail is a 5.3-kilometer moderately trafficked loop trail near Berkeley, California that features a lake. The trail is open all year and is popular for hiking, running, horseback riding, and mountain biking. This trail is also open to dogs and horses.

Tilden Park, one of the East Bay Regional Park District’s three original parks, was founded in 1936 from former watershed lands. It was named after Charles Lee Tilden, the first President of the District’s Board of Directors. During the Great Depression, workers from the Works Progress Administration built much of the park’s infrastructure. The iconic carousel, steam train, botanical gardens, Little Farm, Environmental Education Center, redwood groves, picturesque views of the bay, picnic areas, and seasonal swimming at Lake Anza are all part of Tilden’s 2,079 acres.

Parts of this trail have been severely damaged by storms and may be difficult to navigate when wet and muddy. Before proceeding, check the District’s website for any potential closures. This trail begins at serene Lake Anza and descends through tall redwoods and shady oak/bay woodlands along the Wildcat Creek drainage. It then gently ascends Meadows Canyon through grassland and scrub before descending to the creek.

Park in the Lake Anza parking lot; if it is full, park in the gravel overflow lot outside the gate. Proceed to the Lake Anza entrance, which is close to the bathhouse and swimming area. Turn left just outside the bathhouse area and follow the paved Lake Anza Trail for a few hundred yards. Cross the bridge to the right at the Spillway, then turn left onto the Wildcat Gorge Trail to descend to the creek. At the bottom of the dam, there is a small stone building that used to be the lake’s pump house. Continue down Wildcat Gorge Trail for about 0.75 mile past the Curran turnoff. Turn right onto Meadows Canyon Trail near the Lone Oak Picnic Area at the canyon’s bottom.

The creek crossing may be difficult due to storm damage.

Follow Meadows Canyon Trail uphill for about 1.5 miles, then turn right onto the Curran Trail near the top. Return to the Wildcat Gorge Trail after descending the Curran Trail for .62 miles. Turn left to return to the parking lot via the Wildcat Gorge Trail, which will link with the Lake Anza Trail.