Sugarloaf Hill–Franco Ridge Loop Trail, 4 sights
4.6 mi · ▲ 684 ft · 1 hr 53 min
Sugarloaf Hill–Franco Ridge Loop Trail, 4 sights is a 4.6-mile out-and-back in Shell Ridge Open Space near Alamo, CA. The route reaches Sugarloaf Hill at the turnaround, 2.3 miles in. It climbs 684 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade. It scores 23/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Sugarloaf Hill–Franco Ridge Loop Trail, 4 sights
4.6 mi · ▲ 684 ft · 1 hr 53 min
Elevation 268–695 ft
Out & Back · Shell Ridge Open Space
Trailhead: Franco Ridge Ridge Trail · 37.87558, -122.01768
Weather Aug 3: Mostly clear, high 101°F / low 63° · precip 0% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:14 AM · sunset 8:16 PM
Horses allowed on the whole route
- Start on Franco Ridge Ridge Trail, heading N.
- 0.4 miSharp left onto Franco Ridge Loop Trail, heading SW.
- 450 ftTurn left onto Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail, heading SE.
- 1.4 miBear right, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Center Trail, heading SW.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Ridge Top Trail, heading SW.
- 0.1 miReach Sugarloaf Hill, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Center Trail, heading NW.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading N.
- 50 ftBear left onto Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail, heading NE.
- 1.5 miTurn right onto Franco Ridge Loop Trail, heading E.
- 450 ftSharp right onto Franco Ridge Ridge Trail, heading E.
- 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~5 min). Leave by 7:51 PM for the 8:16 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:34 PM — 11 min before dark.
Good to know
- Horses allowed on the whole route
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Franco Ridge Ridge Trail Trailhead
- Bob Pond–Twin Ponds, 8 sights 4.2 mi · ▲ 886 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Alamo, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Alamo, California