Oursan and Bear Creek Trail Loop

The trail offers a varied experience with a mix of open fields, scattered oak trees, and shaded woodlands. You'll find wide, rolling paths and some single-track sections. While generally fairly flat, there are occasional short but moderately steep uphill sections. It often follows the shoreline of the Briones Reservoir.

You can spot various bird species such as wood ducks, red-tailed hawks, and turkey vultures. In spring, the meadows are vibrant with wildflowers like poppies, buttercups, lupine, and blue-eyed grass. The trail also passes through areas with significant oak trees, some adorned with mistletoe.

The Oursan Trail itself is generally rated as easy to moderate, making it suitable for many. Shorter segments of the Bear Creek Trail are also easy and shaded, perfect for families. However, completing the full 12-14 mile loop around Briones Reservoir can be challenging for beginners.

The trail is particularly recommended in the spring when the landscape is green and wildflowers are in full bloom, offering stunning scenery. The cooler months are also pleasant for hiking.

Yes, dogs are permitted on this trail, which is one of the few East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) trails that allow them. However, they must be kept on a leash at all times.

Yes, an East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) trail permit is required for access to this area. Make sure to obtain one before your visit.

Specific parking information for the Oursan and Bear Creek Trail Loop can vary. It's advisable to check local EBMUD resources or trail maps for designated parking areas, such as the Bear Creek Staging Area, before you go.

Yes, the route also passes through sections of the ADT - California - T - Seg 8, the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail, and the Orinda Connector Trail.

The loop provides beautiful views of the Briones Reservoir, the largest of EBMUD's reservoirs. You can also catch distant views of nearby valleys, foothills, and sometimes even Mount Diablo and the Berkeley Hills.

One of the most notable aspects is its relative solitude compared to more crowded Bay Area trails, offering a peaceful hiking experience. It also provides a rare opportunity to hike on a single-track path through a woodsy and shaded part of Briones Regional Park.

While the Oursan Trail itself is shorter, combining it with the Bear Creek Trail for a full loop around the Briones Reservoir can extend the hike to 12-14 miles. The komoot tour for a segment of this loop suggests a duration of approximately 45 minutes for 2.75 km.