Mount Diablo State Park

Red Road

12.7 mi · ▲ 2,581 ft · 5 hr 31 min

Red Road is a 12.7-mile out-and-back in Mount Diablo State Park near Cowell, CA. It climbs 2,581 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade. It scores 67/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi374 – 2,234 ft · steepest grade: 21%12.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: California Riding and Hiking Trail 37.93495, -121.97298
Nearest town Cowell, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Red Road

12.7 mi · ▲ 2,581 ft · 5 hr 31 min

Elevation 373–2,235 ft

Out & Back · Mount Diablo State Park

Trailhead: California Riding and Hiking Trail · 37.93495, -121.97298

Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 99°F / low 60° · precip 0% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 6:13 AM · sunset 8:16 PM

Transit-accessible: Michigan Boulevard & Washington Boulevard stop 578 m from the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 0.3 miTurn left, heading S.
  3. 0.1 miBear right, heading SW.
  4. 0.7 miBear left, heading S.
  5. 0.3 miTurn left, heading NE.
  6. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NE.
  7. 0.3 miSharp right, heading E.
  8. 0.1 miTurn left, heading S.
  9. 450 ftTurn right, heading E.
  10. 0.7 miSharp right onto Red Road, heading E.
  11. 0.9 miBear left, heading SW.
  12. 0.4 miTurn right, heading SW.
  13. 50 ftSharp left, heading SW.
  14. 1.4 miTurn left onto Little Pine Creek Road, heading S.
  15. 300 ftSharp right onto Falcon Road, heading SE.
  16. 0.7 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  17. 0.7 miSharp left onto Little Pine Creek Road, heading E.
  18. 300 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  19. 1.4 miSharp right, heading NE.
  20. 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  21. 0.4 miBear right onto Red Road, heading N.
  22. 0.9 miSharp left, heading N.
  23. 0.7 miTurn left, heading N.
  24. 500 ftTurn right, heading W.
  25. 0.1 miSharp left, heading N.
  26. 0.3 miTurn left, heading NE.
  27. 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
  28. 0.3 miBear right, heading W.
  29. 0.7 miBear left, heading N.
  30. 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  31. 0.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

9% gravel91% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 99°F60°
Feels like82°Precip0%Wind5 mphUV8Humidity29%
Hourly temperature
100°60°
Sunrise 6:13 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:16 PM
Tue 90°65°
Wed 90°58°
Thu 98°56°
Fri 103°61°
Sat 103°59°
Sun 102°58°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.7 mi in (~48 min). Leave by 7:08 PM for the 8:16 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Michigan Boulevard & Washington Boulevard stop 578 m from the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from California Riding and Hiking Trail Trailhead